In my role at Montgomery College, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with many extraordinary educators and colleagues; people who have shaped student experiences and the institution itself. As someone who values both history and access, it became important to me that we preserve and elevate the voices and stories that tell the journey of Montgomery College.

This digital edition of From Acorn to Oak: Montgomery College Fortieth Anniversary is a project of care and purpose. Originally published in 1986, the book captures the reflections of faculty and staff who helped build and nurture the College across its first four decades. While the print copies housed in the library have aged and grown fragile, the stories inside them remain vital.

Digitizing this book ensures that Montgomery College’s institutional memory is not only preserved, but also made more accessible to future students, employees, researchers, and community members. This edition has been carefully transferred to our Pressbooks publishing platform, a tool that allows us to create, maintain, and share digital publications in an accessible format.

I sought and received approval from the Office of General Counsel to digitize this work. In an August 5, 2024 email communication, Timothy Dietz, General Counsel for Montgomery College, confirmed that he had no legal concerns with the proposal to digitize Montgomery College: Maryland’s First Community College (1946–1970) and this follow-up volume.

This book holds deep personal meaning for me. It reminds us that while buildings and roles may change, the heart of Montgomery College, its people, has always been driven by purpose, creativity, and care. Digitizing From Acorn to Oak ensures that this rich history remains part of our living archive, ready to inspire those who have shaped and will continue to shape Montgomery College. It is an honor to play a small part in extending the life and reach of this publication. May it continue to spark reflection, inspire curiosity, and deepen the appreciation for the people who came before us.

Christine K. Crefton, Ed.D.
Editor of the Digital Edition
Montgomery College
2025