Mary Ellen Duncan (August 29, 1941 – February 10, 2022) was an American academic administrator and teacher. She was a high school English and Latin teacher for nine years before becoming an academic administrator. Duncan served as interim president of Catonsville Community College from 1990 to 1991. She was president of State University of New York at Delhi before working as president of Howard Community College from 1998 to 2008.
Mary Ellen Duncan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of Howard Community College | |
| In office 1998 – June 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Dwight A. Burrill |
| Succeeded by | Kathleen Hetherington |
| President of the State University of New York at Delhi | |
| In office September 1, 1991 – July 1, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Seldon M. Kruger |
| Succeeded by | Mary E. Rittling (interim) |
| Interim president of Catonsville Community College | |
| In office 1990–1991 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 29, 1941 |
| Died | February 10, 2022 (aged 80) |
| Alma mater | St. John's University University of Connecticut |
| Occupation | Academic administrator, teacher |
Early life and education
editDuncan born on August 29, 1941[1] and raised on Long Island, New York. By third grade, Duncan knew she wanted to be a teacher.[2] She graduated from West Islip High School in 1959.[3] Duncan completed a B.S. at St. John's University in 1963. She was an English and Latin high school teacher for nine years.[2]
Career
editIn 1975, Duncan taught at Tri-County Technical College.[2] The next year, she worked for a community college consortium.[2] Duncan earned a M.A. (1973) and Ph.D. (1982) in curriculum administration at the University of Connecticut.[2] Her 1982 dissertation was titled Educational commitments and attitudes of part-time and full-time instructors in the two-year technical colleges in South Carolina.[4] Her doctoral advisor was Arthur D. Roberts.[4]
At Catonsville Community College, Duncan was dean of planning and development for three years and interim president from 1990 to 1991.[5]
On September 1, 1991, Duncan succeeded Seldon M. Kruger as president of the State University of New York at Delhi.[6][7] During her tenure, she was head of the University Colleges of Technology, a collection of two-year technical colleges. Duncan established a bachelor's degree program in business administration in hospital management. She also increased Delhi's distance learning capabilities.[8] Duncan established the office for business and industry relations. She worked with New York state senator Charles D. Cook to implement a gifted and talented program offering college-level courses to high school students.[8] She served in this role until July 1, 1998.[8] Duncan was succeeded by interim president Mary E. Rittling.[9]
In 1998, Duncan succeeded Dwight A. Burrill as the third president of Howard Community College.[10] During her first 4.5 years, the college built a children's learning center for students with children, established the Silas Craft Collegians financial and social support program, renovated athletics facilities, and oversaw the construction of a $18.7 million dollar instructional lab building.[2] By 2007, the college constructed four campus buildings.[11] Duncan stepped down in June 2008 and was succeeded by Kathleen Hetherington.[12]
Personal life
editDuncan died on February 10, 2022, at the age of 80.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Mary Ellen Duncan Obituary - Arlington, VA". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Alexander, Sandy (December 15, 2002). "Duncan leads quietly, with disarming charm". The Baltimore Sun. pp. B1. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Fresco, Robert (May 4, 1992). "New Mission for Farming Schools of Past". Newsday (Nassau Edition). p. 27. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ a b Duncan, Mary Ellen (1982). Educational commitments and attitudes of part-time and full-time instructors in the two-year technical colleges in South Carolina (Ph.D. thesis). University of Connecticut. OCLC 10112225.
- ^ Lee, Edward (February 5, 1998). "Search for college president is narrowed to two finalists". The Baltimore Sun. p. 118. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Janutis, Rachel (May 2, 1991). "SUNY-Delhi nears selection". Press and Sun-Bulletin. p. 9. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "SUNY-Delhi to install president today". Press and Sun-Bulletin. October 11, 1991. p. 2. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c Jump, Linda (March 5, 1998). "Duncan to leave SUNY-Delhi post". Press and Sun-Bulletin. p. 13. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "New president to take helm at Delhi". Press and Sun-Bulletin. June 23, 1999. p. 6. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Edward (March 8, 1998). "Mary Ellen Duncan, Howard college's pick as its 3rd president, welcomes challenges". The Baltimore Sun. p. 109. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Alexander, Sandy (June 20, 2007). "Caplan's leadership, good humor noted; HCC trustee 12 years". The Baltimore Sun. pp. G5. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Alexander, Sandy (February 20, 2007). "School leader steps down". The Baltimore Sun. pp. B1. Retrieved February 12, 2022.