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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Nancy Dysard HCC President LaCalle to retire next year
In a news release about Lacalle’s retirement, HCC trustee board chairman Brad Stover said, “Jim was close to retiring when he decided to apply for the presidency, and we’re glad he applied and was selected. He was the right person at the right time. From day one of Jim’s tenure as President, he had a vision of how the College could grow and he has kept the institution moving forward ever since. Jim has been a great CEO for the College and has built outstanding relationships with the community, our political leaders, employees, and students. He will definitely be missed. The Board is grateful to Jim for his service to the college.” While serving as President, LaCalle developed a new strategic plan and facilities master plan for the college’s growth well into the next decade. In addition, LaCalle partnered with Towson University President Dr. Robert Caret to plan construction of a building on the Harford Community College campus where students will be able to earn a four-year degree from Towson University without leaving the county. LaCalle has had an open leadership style, encouraging students and employees to voice their views and concerns. He maintained an open door policy and frequently walks about campus, visiting with students and employees. LaCalle has emphasized diversity at the college through student mentoring and the Rites of Passage program that has increased enrollment among minorities and other under-represented populations. He worked to enhance relationships with Harford County Public Schools to create a seamless transition for students and graduates to attend HCC. He also organized a new division to improve STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in the county and expanded the nursing division to include new programs in related health care professions. LaCalle also oversaw the College’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, through which he helped new and existing residents realize the value of the College to the community. He worked to strengthen the college’s foundation, which has substantially increased its fundraising efforts. Another notable change during his tenure that drew some attention was instituting a campus-wide ban on tobacco use anywhere on college property. President LaCalle began his tenure at HCC in 1970 as an adjunct instructor of psychology. He began working full-time in 1971 as the coordinator of the Pre-Discharge Education Program, a college preparatory program offered at the Aberdeen Proving Ground for service personnel leaving the military and transitioning to civilian life. He worked most of his career in the noncredit continuing education division and became the dean of the division in 1977. He served as interim president of the college from January through April 2005 and was appointed president of the College in May 2005. In announcing his retirement, LaCalle noted the difficulty in reaching his decision. “Obviously, I have enjoyed working for the College very much or I wouldn’t have stayed as long as I have. Serving as President for the last four and one-half years has been particularly rewarding. It is such an exciting time for the College with increasing enrollment, new program development, major capital projects, preparation for re-accreditation, and much more, but the time has come for me to begin a new phase of my life, ” he said. LaCalle stated further, “I will miss working with the employees, board of trustees, and other volunteers who have worked on behalf of the College and our students. I look forward to my last year as president being as rewarding as the past four and one-half years, but I will miss the college very much.” Stover said the trustees plan to conduct a national search to replace LaCalle. The process will begin in the fall with the naming of a successor next spring.
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Dr. James LaCalle, President of Harford Community College (