University College

John F. Haggerty and James J. Valdes recently were sworn in at the Harford County Courthouse as new members of the Harford Community College board of trustees, after being appointed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. Haggerty fills the vacancy created by the end of Bernard Barnes' term. His five-year term runs through June 30, 2012. Valdes will complete the term of S. Fred Simmons. His term will end June 30, 2008. Haggerty, who has a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and a master's in education from the University of Florida, served on the HCC staff for 35 years as associate dean of the health, physical education and recreation division, and as athletic director.

AVAM OPEN HOUSE WHAT / / "Open House / Open Heart" WHEN / / 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday WHERE / / American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway WHY / / Because you can enjoy free admission all day long, watch performances by Poetry for the People Baltimore, WombWork Productions and the Baltimore Station and browse the exhibit Home and Beast. There will also be food from Whole Foods Market at this Free Fall Baltimore event. CONTACT / / 410-244-1900 or avam.org FREE STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT Take a gander skyward tomorrow and learn about the fall constellations, the Andromeda spiral galaxy, nebulae, star clusters and the crescent moon's craters at the Free Family Skywatch at Belmont.

The Savage branch library, 9525 Durness Lane, will present "Kindergarten, Here We Come!" -- a program of stories and activities for children, ages 4 and 5, to help mark the first day of school. The 30-minute program will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and 7 p.m. Thursday. Registration is requested. Information: 410-880-5978. The library will sponsor a meeting of its Writer's Circle at 7 p.m. tomorrow. Those who attend will have an opportunity to offer mutual support and feedback to other aspiring authors.

The Laurel College Center, a partnership of Howard and Prince George's community colleges, will hold a drop-in open house from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at 312 Marshall Ave., Suite 205, Laurel, adjacent to the Laurel Shopping Center. A tour of the center will be offered. There will be an opportunity to talk with academic and financial aid advisers and learn how to register for credit or noncredit classes. Representatives from the Career Services Office of Howard Community College and the Laurel College Center's higher-education partners -- the College of Notre Dame, Towson University, University of Maryland, University College -- will be on hand.

Ala. official is new head of UM University College The University System of Maryland said yesterday that a Troy University vice chancellor will be the new president of the largely online University of Maryland University College. Susan Aldridge replaces Gerald Heeger, who stepped down in August after six years as president of UMUC to lead a new for-profit international university. At Troy University, Aldridge's job as vice chancellor included overseeing the Alabama school's University College and distance-learning sections.

Dynamic Spaces, Larry Chappelear's new exhibit at the University of Maryland University College, includes abstract painting, collage and assemblage from 1976 to the present. The 50 or so pieces range in size from 4 by 7 inches to 80 by 78 inches. Dynamic Spaces runs Sunday through Jan. 8 at the University of Maryland University College, 3501 University Blvd. East in Adelphi. There is a reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call 301-985-7937 or visit umuc.edu/art. Sam Sessa

She's our North Star," Gerald Heeger, president of University of Maryland University College, says of Pikesville's Doris Patz. The North Star is the most recognizable of all stars, not unlike Patz in Maryland's art world. Patz's decades of networking among Maryland artists, art organizations and people has resulted in a music program, an art collection, a mansion, a regent's scholarship and a writing contest. Patz was thrust into the fine arts arena through her music in Pittsburgh, where, as a child, she played violin and viola.

The president of the University of Maryland's online school announced yesterday that he will leave his job in August to take a similar position at a new Texas university. Gerald A. Heeger, 62, has been head of the University of Maryland University College since 1999. During his tenure, online enrollment grew from 20,000 students to nearly 125,000. "My experience at UMUC ... has been most fulfilling," Heeger said in a statement. Heeger was criticized in 2004 when it was revealed that he owns stock in a student loan company, which could have barred him from working for the university system.

Harford Community College has taken a step toward its long-time goal of offering four-year bachelor's degrees at its Churchville campus. "It's a step in that direction," Claudia E. Chiesi, president of HCC, said of the recent signing of an agreement with University of Maryland University College that makes it easier for the community college students to transfer credits toward a four-year degree at UMUC. The college will create classes that will meet UMUC requirements. Merodie Hancock, assistant provost at UMUC, said that under the current system, HCC students can take third- and fourth-year classes online.

A local advertising trade association is criticizing the University of Maryland University College for choosing an out-of-state agency to run its $6.5 million marketing account. The Advertising Association of Baltimore argues in a letter to University College President Gerald A. Heeger that the contract should be awarded to a local company because the school is a public institution financed by state taxes. University College, with headquarters in Adelphi, provides undergraduate and graduate degrees to adult part-time students.