Merced College said it named a new board room after Margaret "Maggie" Randolph, who served 21 years on the Merced Community College Board of Trustees.
"This is overwhelming," Randolph said to a crowd of about 100 friends, family and other well-wishers. "I'm so proud to have been part of this great college, and I'm humbled by this recognition."
The foundation hosted the reception and unveiling of the new Margaret M. Randolph Board Room on May 18, according to a news release.
Randolph, a member of the foundation's board of directors, told the audience, "Merced College became part of my life 48-and-a-half years ago. It changed my life and increased my joy of living."
In 1975, Randolph joined the college's Board of Trustees and served as a trustee for 21 years, four times as the board chair. During her tenure, she advocated the establishment of the registered nursing program and the creation of the Women's Re-entry Center and its support programs.
She was elected and served for 10 years on the state's Community College Association. In 1980, she was elected to the National Association of Community Colleges and served six years. Randolph also served on the California Commission on Athletics and encouraged the adoption of the policy requiring 12 units of credits to qualify for a second year of team play.
In addition, Randolph was a founder of the Merced Symphony Guild and was the founding president of the Friends of Merced County Library. She has been the president of the Hoover Junior High School PTA, a Cub Scout leader and a fundraising volunteer for Mercy Hospital. As a member of the Friends of the Merced County Library, she initiated the lobbying efforts to construct a new library facility in the city of Merced.
In 1990, she was honored by Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce with the Athena Award, recognizing her as the Woman of the Year. She has also been a longtime member of the Merced College Foundation Board of Directors, serving several terms as president. The Margaret Randolph Scholarship Endowment provides scholarship awards each year to students studying vocal music.
