Dear HCC Family:

It has been an honor and great pleasure to work with my colleagues and HCC employees in organizing and planning this program. Today is dedicated to recognizing the work that you have done in making this celebration possible.

For today’s recognition of 40 years of Houston Community College’s service to the Greater Houston Area, we invited more than one hundred former and current Trustees, former and current elected officials, Foundation Board Members and other special guests. It is so

exciting to have these strong advocates and great leaders of HCC here to help celebrate the significance of the work this college is dedicated to. The contributions made by each of you have changed the lives of thousands of students who have come through our doors.

We want to recognize those here today who were on the frontline, advocating, leading and setting the direction of this college in 1971, when, according to records, 5,711 students registered in occupational courses. Under the current direction of nine distinguished Trustees, records indicate that 75,000 students are presently being served each semester in more than 70 different workforce programs and 40 academic disciplines. Thus, 2011 is a year in our history to be proud of.

Your stewardship, passion, dedication and commitment over the past 40 years have made it possible for past and present students to enjoy a better future. For those who have served as Trustees on all the boards since 1971, Houston Independent School District, Houston Community College and HCC Foundation Board, your vision and foresight for what HCC could be, is today and will be tomorrow is what has made the difference.

Thank you for your presence and thank you for your legacy. We hope that you will enjoy the program we have planned for you today, and more importantly, we hope you will enjoy seeing your fellow Trustees and elected- officials whose vision in 1971 brought us to this celebration.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Perez
Board Vice Chair and Program Chair