College prepares for anniversary

Marking a half-century of providing comprehensive education and workforce training opportunities to the citizens of the five-county upper and mid Eastern Shore, Chesapeake College has announced a multi-year 50th anniversary celebration beginning in August 2015. Chesapeake College was chartered in December 1965.

Chesapeake’s President Dr. Barbara Viniar says the College has launched a planning initiative for the 50th anniversary that seeks feedback from alumni, community members, business leaders, government officials, faculty and students.

“This is a time of excitement and anticipation for all of us on campus and throughout the Eastern Shore as we take the next eight months to plan an inclusive and meaningful celebration kicking off with the 2015/2016 academic year,” said Viniar, Chesapeake’s fifth president who began her tenure in 2008. “So many individuals’ lives have been enriched through Chesapeake College. We want to hear their stories, uncover little known experiences and re-connect with students and family members who have achieved educational, career and personal goals at Chesapeake.”

Those interested in sharing their Chesapeake College experiences, impressions and ideas for the anniversary celebration are invited to complete a brief online survey. In addition, a new Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Chesapeakeat50 serves as a collective community bulletin board to share news of events, programs and people leading up to and during the anniversary celebration.

In addition, the College is holding focus groups with campus and community members in each of the five counties it serves: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot.

One of the outcomes of the 50th anniversary planning initiative, according to Viniar, will be a multi-platform branding campaign created by Choptank Communications that promotes Chesapeake’s identity in the region and communicates the tremendous opportunities the college affords Eastern Shore residents.

Chesapeake College Foundation is funding the planning and creation of the 50th anniversary.