![[photo, Catherine R. Gira, President, Frostburg State University]](/msa/mdmanual/25univ/frost/images/1198-1-397b.jpg)
CATHERINE RUSSELL GIRA, Ph.D. (1932-2019)
President, 1991-2006
President, Frostburg State University, September 1, 1991 to June 30, 2006.
Board of Visitors, Frostburg State University, 1991-2006. Board of Directors, Regional Education Service Agency of Appalachian Maryland, 1991-2006. Member, Task Force to Study the Governance, Coordination, and Funding of the University System of Maryland, 1998-99; Western Maryland Economic Development Task Force, 1998-2002; Task Force to End Smoking in Maryland, 1999; Task Force to Study College Readiness for Disadvantaged and Capable Students, 2000-01. President, Council of University System Presidents, 2001-04.
Provost, University of Baltimore, 1982-91. Professor (English), 1965-81, and Acting Dean, 1981-82, College of Liberal Arts, University of Baltimore.
Born in Fayette City, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1932. California State College in Pennsylvania, B.A. (education), 1953; The Johns Hopkins University, M.A. (liberal arts), 1957, M.A. (education), 1972; The American University, Ph.D. (literature), 1975. Teacher, Catonsville Senior High School, 1953-60. Writing consultant and editor, State Department of Education, 1961-72. President, Maryland Association of Higher Education, 1986-87; American Association of University Administrators, 1988-90. Chair, Maryland Humanities Council, 1989-91, 2007-. Board of Directors, University System of Maryland Foundation, 1991-2006. Member, Federation of State Humanities Councils; Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association, 1994-99. President, Leadership Maryland, Inc., 2004-06 (executive committee, 1999-; vice-president, 2002-04). Board of Directors, Western Maryland Health System, 1996-2006; Rocky Gap Foundation; Cumberland Theatre; Maryland Symphony Orchestra; Greater Cumberland Committee; Joint Military Intelligence College. Outstanding Woman of the Year, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1992. Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 1996. Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, 1997. Widow, two children, two grandchildren. Died in Sandy Spring, Maryland, March 26, 2019.
On May 3, 2015, the Center for Communications and Information Technology at Frostburg State University was named in honor of Dr. Gira.
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