We share in the sentiment of those who praised Davitt Saturday night for touching the lives of so many students through his leadership.
It's that very leadership that has made not only the college, but Glendale and its surrounding communities, better.
His leadership fostered a sense of family among his staff members and inspired them, and his zeal to focus on what he believed was a central function of community colleges ? to serve the economically disadvantaged ? is a theme we can only hope will continue as he passes the torch.That torch will go to Audre Levy, who on Monday college trustees appointed as Davitt's successor.
It's a good sign that she's already talking to students and college employees ? vowing to listen to them when it comes to their issues and recommendations.
Davitt's shoes will be tough to fill, especially as community colleges continue to juggle budget cuts while trying to meet the needs of students who need skills in an increasingly complex workforce.
But Levy has already acknowledged she can't fill Davitt's shoes ? that she can only "walk beside them" in moving the college forward.
To do so, she must stay true to Davitt's hope of maintaining an institution that can serve the higher education needs of students who perhaps can't afford going to a university, who are returning to school after raising families or being laid off, who are minorities or who need vocational training.
Levy, with her background in community college education, seems well-suited to lead Glendale Community College as it moves forward.
To her we wish the best as she begins her tenure on July 1, and to Davitt we wish a fond farewell for a job well done.
