Marsha Holmes Matched Giving: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts By Ferdinand Mehlinger
Marsha Holmes Marsha Holmes is a person who looks like she knew where she was going and how she was going to get there, from day one. That impression has substance, as evidenced by the vision of giving that she and her husband, the late John Holmes, shared. Their plan has become a hallmark of how thoughtful planning and teamwork can create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. While employed by two different corporations with Corporate Matching Gift Programs, Verizon Communications and ExxonMobil Corporation, the couple took advantage of the opportunity to give back to Morgan. "I was at Verizon, where they matched one to one, and my
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white. Although she lived in an African American community and attended an African American church, she felt out of the mainstream of the social life at the schools she attended. Her parents encouraged her to attend Morgan.
husband was at ExxonMobil, where they matched three to one. By combining matching funds we were able to give a sizeable amount to Morgan," says Holmes. Now retired and living in Jacksonville, Fla., the former Verizon Communications Vice President credits her experiences as a student at Morgan with many of her successes and says, "The environment at Morgan had a lot to do with how I developed. It provided a broader education in academics, leadership and social development."
"I was suddenly at a place where everything was for me…not just for other kids who were different from me," she says. While attending Morgan, Holmes became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and held offices in various campus organizations.
While growing up in Baltimore County, Holmes attended a high school with a student population composed of about 150 African American students and more than 3,000 others, mainly
She says, "I look back at how much Morgan has given to me in the development of my leadership skills, and I have mentors like Dr. Chan-
dler and Dr. Sawyer to thank. I've had a very successful corporate career, and they provided a strong foundation upon which I could build." A member of the Jacksonville Florida Chapter of Morgan State University Alumni Association, the 1971 graduate persuades others to give and consider the value of matching gifts. "I encourage others to give back to the institutions where they matriculated,” she says. “Many employees have not taken advantage of corporate matching gift programs. It is so important to use the resources that we have."
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