It was with shock and sadness that I learned about the departure of John Fitzsimmons as president of the Maine Community College System.

I had the honor of serving on the system’s board of trustees for several years, ending about three years ago. I was impressed with Fitzsimmons’ deep commitment to creating economic opportunity for Maine students, in particular those who might otherwise be destined for economic marginalization.

The Community College System has lost a leader who worked hard and effectively to bring together students, business and staff with diverse needs and desires to build programs and practices with broad support in a changing educational and economic landscape, and during an era when the state offered a smaller and smaller portion of the cost of running the colleges.

While I have not been connected to the Community College System since my last term on the board, I cannot imagine that the loss of such creativity and commitment will improve the services the institution provides.

Cynthia Phinney

Livermore Falls