For forty consecutive years, the Baltimore City College Alumni Association has been inducting past students and faculty into the Baltimore City College Hall of Fame. October 28th was a celebration attended by current students and faculty of BCC, guest hosts, current members of the Hall of Fame, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, and personal guests of the inductees. Baltimore City College’s inductees have demonstrated excellence, commitment to the communities they have served, and hard work in pursuing their goals. These inductees include Sandora B. Cathcart (1982), James N. Newton (1964), Stewart W. Russell (1974), Anthony Ryan, and Lenoard Stoler (1948).
Naima Eggleston gave an introduction to Sandora B. Cathcart, who graduated in the first class of the coed student body at Baltimore City College. Cathcart attended UMBC, Coppin State, and UMD, which provided her with a degree to work in correctional facilities to aid in reentry to severe offenders. As well as educate correctional facility workers on how to properly aid inmates with mental health issues. Cathcart reiterated that her time at Baltimore City College made her appreciate the human experience and want to help improve the human experience for others.
Following was an introduction by Jason Newton (1995) and Zoh Poyer of James N. Newton. Newton attended Towson University following his time at BCC. At Towson, he played basketball from 1965-1968, being only one of two black men on the team. He was also the only black male in his graduating class at Towson with a degree in Mathematics. He followed his career at Towson to teach at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute before transferring to the University of Maryland and establishing the Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering. After his retirement, 60,000 dollars were raised for the James N. Newton Scholarship Fund in recognition of his contributions to minority communities in STEM.
Nevaeh Sencion introduced to the audience Stewart W. Russell. Russell is a retired Maryland State trooper who served for thirty-five years, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. During his time, Russell served all three department boroughs. He also staffed the DC and Maryland gun task forces to prevent illegal gun trafficking and violence. He followed his retirement as Maryland State police to become chief of police in Forest Heights, Maryland, for another twelve years.
Then, Jonah Daniels introduced Anthony Ryan, coach at Baltimore City College. Ryan was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his service to the Baltimore City College community and his commitment to black youth in lacrosse.
The last inductee was Lenoard Stoler, introduced by Noah Smith. Stoler graduated following the end of WWII and entered the Air Force studying electrical engineering. After leaving the Air Force, a fellow graduate from Baltimore City College convinced Stoler to sell used cars since he was not applying to college that year. Now Stoler employs hundreds of people through his ownership of a dozen dealerships in Maryland and New York. This has allowed him and his wife donate millions of dollars to Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital, the University of Maryland Medical System, Sinai Hospital, a day camp for kids with cancer, and a preschool at the Jewish Community Center.
Baltimore City College thanks and congratulates these impressive individuals for their commitment to the communities they serve and being an inspiration to those around them.
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