Allegany County Maryland--Biography

Margaret Wigfield, First ACC Graduate to Receive Bachelor’s Degree

She graduated from Fort Hill High School in 1961 and as noted in the Cumberland News of June 7, 1965, Miss Margaret Elaine Wigfield was one of the first four students to receive an Associate of Arts degree from Allegany Community College (ACC) in 1963. After graduating with honors from ACC (now Allegany College of Maryland) she went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Frostburg State College in 1965. She is the first graduate of the community college to receive a four-year degree.

Alta Schrock, 1911 – 2001

Born into a Mennonite family near Grantsville, Alta Schrock pursued learning all her life. Walking five miles to and from school every day as a child, she memorized the Bible, poems, biology and botany. In 1944 she became the first Mennonite woman to earn a PhD, this being in biology, and taught at various universities from 1946 to 1977. She was Professor of Biology at Frostburg State University from 1960 to 1977.

Elsie Hill Roland, 1897-1973

In 1928 the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program was established in Kansas City, Missouri. Just three years later, in 1931, Elsie Hill Roland initiated the Allegany County FFA program at Flintstone School. She was the first woman in the nation to be certified by the Federal Government to teach Vocational Agriculture under the 1917 Smith-Hughes Act and would oversee the FFA program at Flintstone until 1964.

CUMBERLAND — Mary M. Robb, 97, of Cumberland, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, at The Kensington.

Born Nov. 11, 1917, in Cumberland, she was the daughter of the late Matthew and Marguerite (Marston) Robb.
Miss Robb was a graduate of Allegany High School. She earned a B.A. degree from Western Maryland College and a Master of Music degree from West Virginia University.

Mary E. Murray, 1907 - 2002

Born in Mt. Savage, Mary Murray graduated from Catholic Girls Central High School in Cumberland. She taught for over 48 years at Allegany High School, Frostburg State College, and the Catholic University of America. One of her achievements at Allegany High School was the editing of the Allegany High School Golden Jubilee Magazine 1889 - 1938.

Mary E. Meyers [Frostburg]

Cumberland Times-News

FROSTBURG — Mary E. Meyers, born Nov. 11, 1914 to Catherine Douglas and George Augustus Meyers, a life long resident of Lonaconing and formerly a public school teacher in Allegany County for 36 years, died Dec. 29, 2008 at the age of 94 at Frostburg Village Assisted Living, Frostburg.

Dr. Alice R. Manicur

Dr. Alice R. Manicur, of Frostburg State University, was one of six women inducted into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame for 2012. The induction ceremony took place on March 7, 2012. The Hall of Fame honors historical and contemporary women who have made unique and lasting contributions to Maryland's economic, political, cultural and social life. The following biography is courtesy of the Maryland Commission for Women, 2012 and appears on the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame website:

Norma Robosson Manges, 1932 -

In the late 1940's Cumberland was paid a visit by the Mooseheart (childcare facility operated by the Loyal Order of Moose) Band, from Mooseheart, Illinois. The band had a female drum major. This impressed Mr. Phillip Kester, Fort Hill High School's Band Director.

Patricia was among the first female Drum Majors in Allegany County. This occurred in 1951 at Allegany High School. S. Lua Syckes was the Band Director at Allegany. Many people felt such "strenuous" activity would endanger her physically. Mr. Bernard, of Barnes & Bernard Insurance and President of the Camper Club, had to personally interview Pat to determine if she had the strength and stamina for the job. Which she did. Patricia went on to become Drum Major and graduated from Allegany High School in 1953.

In May 1956, Fort Hill High School of Cumberland held the first commencement exercise in Allegany County with participating African-American students following integration. Judy Leath was among the first of this group of students graduating from Fort Hill. Prior to school integration, Judy had formerly attended Carver High School.