Long-time Cecil College President W. Stephen Pannil has retired from his post after 14 years.
Pannil was one of the longest serving college presidents in the region.
Dr. Mary Bolt will continue as acting president of the college, which has a campus near North East and Rising Sun, Md.
In a letter to the college community, he cited a diagnosis for clinical depression and the need for “space, rest and exercise to assist in my recovery.” He added that the condition “has affecgted me and those around me.” Pannil had been on medical leave prior to his retirement.
He praised efforts to build and improve the college during the 14 years.
“Together we have more than doubled credit enrollment and added roughly 72 acres to our North East campus with extensive road frontage. We have built buildings at the Family Education Center and Elkton Station, expanded the PE Complex, renovated and improved the science floor in the Arts and Sciences building, and completed the Engineering and Math Building most recently,” Pannil wrote.
He also cited progress in academic programs and partnerships with four-year institutions such as Frostburg University, University of Maryland University College, Salisbury University and Wilmington University.
He went on to praise trustees, students,, staff and others.
Cecil is one of the poorer counties in Maryland, with a large percentage high school dropouts and related problems such as a high rate of substance abuse. The college has worked to improve educational opportunities for county residents.
The county borders New Castle County, the source of many jobs for residents of Cecil.
