ADDRESS, COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES PRINCE GEORGE'S
COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SUITLAND

June 11, 1965

Mr. Popham, members of the faculty, graduates, the administration
and the student body of Prince George's Community College, dis-
tinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

We are here this evening to honor a group of young men and
young women who have passed a milestone in their quest for know-
ledge and understanding. At the close of another academic year, it is
appropriate that we salute and offer our tribute to those who have
completed the course of study which has been offered them here and
are now ready to embark upon other pursuits, whether a career or a
continuation of their formal education. I assure you 1965 graduates
that you have my best wishes for success and happiness in the future.
May God speed you in all of your endeavors.

A few years ago, a commission which I appointed to study and
plan for the future of higher education in Maryland advised me and
the General Assembly that any scheme for the development of higher
education in the State must Cake into consideration the growing
importance of community colleges.

"The Community Colleges, " the reports stated, "are a vital segment
of the total system of higher education in Maryland. "

I have observed with immense satisfaction the remarkable rise in
Maryland's community college program since I became Governor
of the State. When I took the oath of office as Governor in 1959,
there were enrolled in our public community, or junior colleges
some 3, 550 students. This year, there were approximately 11, 000
studying in these colleges. The State's appropriation for the support
of these colleges in 1959 totaled f 337, 350. Since then, our expenditure
for their support has increased more than five-fold — for a total of
$2, 096, 325.

It is most gratifying to me, as your Governor, to see the progress
that has been made in this area of education. Your college — the
Prince George's Community College — stands today as a prime
example of what these institutions can contribute to the education
of the young people of our State. Our goal in Maryland is to offer
every young person, who has desire and who has the capacity to
improve his skills and increase his knowledge, the best education

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