Dr. Generals’ Vision Unfolds: Create the #1 Community College in America

Nearly 1,000 dignitaries, family, staff and students gathered at Congregation Rodeph Shalom on May 1 to witness the installation of Dr. Donald Guy Generals as the sixth president of Community College of Philadelphia.

The ceremony came weeks after Dr. Generals—a man who stumbled upon his own career path while tutoring at his local community college—announced the creation of the College’s groundbreaking 50th Anniversary Scholars Program. The scholarship, which starts in the fall, will expand access and opportunity by covering the cost of tuition not covered by federal or state financial aid for up to three years for some highly motivated low-income graduates from Philadelphia high schools.

The festivities began in the morning with a colorful cultural procession from the Main Campus. Hundreds of faculty and staff clad in regalia and students walked together. Some held up the 47 flags from the home countries of the College’s international students, who come from around the world to enroll.

Once that group entered Rodelph Shalom, the academic procession began as 39 delegates from regional colleges and universities, about 200 faculty and administrators, and the presidential party opened the investiture service.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and State Rep. James R. Roebuck, Jr., both members of the College’s Board of Trustees, were among the members of the Presidential party. Dr. Ronald J. Temple, the third president of Community College of Philadelphia and its first African American president, also joined the festivities.

The event had a distinctive community feel to it as students sang alongside faculty, staff, and singers from the larger community in The Concert Choir of Community College of Philadelphia. Led by Robert Ross, Director and Chair of the College’s Music Department, the group sang in harmony.  Music was a feature throughout the ceremony, as well as at the Celebration on the Skyline following the event. Dr. Generals, himself a musician, has played the drums at College events and believes that the arts enrich learning and inspire creativity. Thus the soulful sounds of the Jazz Ensemble of Community College of Philadelphia, led by Anthony Ferrara, filled the air before the installation service.

In his inaugural remarks, Dr. Generals spoke of the lasting economic and cultural impact of Community College of Philadelphia, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

Since its founding, the College has served as a pipeline where talent flows freely into industries and city departments, including the Philadelphia Police and Fire departments and health care industries, Dr. Generals noted. For example, Louis Giorla, Commissioner of the Philadelphia Prison System; Captain Verdell Johnson commanding the 39th District; Lancaster, PA Police Chief Keith Sadler; and Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer are all alumni.

Over the last five decades, more than 54,000 students have graduated from Community College of Philadelphia. “Beyond our most celebrated graduates, there are thousands who have learned the lessons of civility, who have studied and embraced the core values of our humanities, and who have used their talents of critical inquiry to examine the problems in our communities, resulting in healthier neighborhoods,” Dr. Generals said. “We have made great citizens. We have made responsible parents. We have made Philadelphia one of the best places in the world to visit and one of the best places to live.”

The city’s renaissance has been fueled, in part, by affordable educational options provided by the College, Dr. Generals said. He cautioned, however, that the poverty rate—as high as 28 percent in some estimates—threatens recent progress. “The renaissance will screech to a halt unless we find ways to include those stuck in the 28 percent who continue to wallow in poverty and despair,” he said.

In closing, Dr. Generals mentioned the recent riots and unrest in impoverished areas of Baltimore, and offered a call to action.

“I am asking that you join me and our community partners to lead the city and pave the way for the 28 percent in our community who continue to live in poverty and seek a way out.  I am asking you to embrace the possibility that what we do is a matter of social justice. I am asking you to join me in making Community College of Philadelphia the number one community college in America,” Dr. Generals said.