INSPIRATION A N E W S L E T T E R F OR S U PP ORT E R S OF T H E U N I V E R S I T Y OF M A RY L A N D / M A RC H 2 02 0
TO TRANSFORM THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE / BOLDNESS TO TURN IMAGINATION INTO INNOVATION CURIOSITY TO DISCOVER NEW KNOWLEDGE / PASSION TO INSPIRE MARYLAND PRIDE
Regional events bring Maryland closer to $1.5 billion goal P4
PUBLISHER Jackie Lewis Vice President, University Relations ADVISERS Margaret Hall Chief Creative Officer
DEAR MARYLAND SUPPORTERS,
Bernadette Maldonado, Assistant Vice President, University Relations
With a new decade upon us, the University of Maryland continues to look towards the future and all it holds for our students and faculty. We are dedicated to providing unparalleled opportunities for students to find their passion and their purpose—one scholarship, one internship and one programmatic initiative at a time.
CONTRIBUTORS Maria Clark Director of Marketing, Fundraising Campaigns
We had a busy fall visiting our supporters in Washington, D.C., Baltimore and New York, showcasing Fearless Ideas: The Campaign for Maryland and all this campaign makes possible for our students. You’ll have the chance to read first-hand testimonials from Elonna Jones ’20 and Foluke Tuakli ’17, who shared their powerful stories at these regional events. Their dedication and perseverance in pursuing their education is truly inspiring.
Amanda Townsend Assistant Director of Marketing, Fundraising Campaigns
This issue highlights just a handful of transformative student experiences made possible by our supporters. A new Maryland Promise Scholarship in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, funded by Al Carey ’74, will make a Maryland education possible for deserving local students interested in a business degree.
Mary Harvey Director of Campaigns
Together, we will continue to transform the student experience at the University of Maryland. Thank you for your continued support of our students as they pursue their goals on campus and beyond. Sincerely,
Jackie Lewis Vice President for University Relations President, University of Maryland College Park Foundation
Jason Keisling Senior Graphic Designer Stephanie S. Cordle Photographer Gail Rupert M.L.S. ‘10 Photography Archivist Jagu Cornish Production Coordinator
COVER BY JAOSN KEISLING
Donor support of new and smarter facilities, such as the forthcoming Basketball Performance Center and School of Public Policy Building, provides our students with an unmatched learning environment to harness their Fearless Ideas.
Josh Arinze Development Writer
PHOTO BY TONY RICHARDS
INSPIRATION / 3
“I’M GRATEFUL, THEREFORE I’M LOYAL” Al Carey ’74 Shares How Gratitude for His Maryland Education Inspires His Generosity YEARS AFTER AL CAREY ’74 graduated
from the University of Maryland, what began as a brief campus visit turned into a defining moment of generosity. During a dinner conversation with a university administrator, he learned about a junior who was on the verge of dropping out. This student’s father had been diagnosed with cancer, and the escalating medical expenses had depleted the savings the family relied on to fund her education. “[I HOPE] THAT THE EDUCATION THEY RECEIVE HERE AT MARYLAND WILL HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS, AND THAT THEY, IN TURN, GIVE TO MARYLAND TO HELP MAKE THE SAME POSSIBLE FOR OTHERS WHO FOLLOW THEM TO THIS GREAT UNIVERSITY.” “That story brought tears to our eyes,” Carey recalls. “This father, a blue-collar worker, spent years making sacrifices so his daughter could have a great education, a better life. And now, that was all going to be disrupted because of illness?” Carey and another Maryland alum at that dinner table immediately decided to split the cost of the student’s senior year. Because of their generosity, she graduated on schedule and is now a teacher.
Carey and his fellow alum considered this a small act of kindness. But the student’s family didn’t see it that way. “I was deeply moved by the handwritten letters of gratitude the student and her mother wrote to me,” he says. “To this day, I still look at those letters when I’m having a bad day. They lift my spirits every time. It just shows you that what seems like a small gift to someone could be a crucial lifeline to the beneficiary.” Thanks to this epiphany, Carey has become an evangelist of sorts, using every chance he gets to urge Maryland alumni to support the university. He’s particularly eager that young alumni get this message. “Many young alumni just beginning their careers might think they don’t have much to give,” he explains. “But that’s no reason to sit on the sidelines. Start small now, and then make bigger gifts when you have more resources. Even the small gifts count.” Carey practices what he preaches. His recent $1 million commitment to create the Carey Maryland Promise Scholarship is the latest testament to his years of support for the university: as a donor, volunteer, advocate, connector and all-around booster. He retired from PepsiCo as chief executive officer for North America and is now chairman
of Unifi, Inc., a manufacturer of synthetic and recycled products made from polyester and nylon. He currently serves on the board of advisors of the Robert H. Smith School of Business, and is a trustee of the University of Maryland College Park Foundation. Carey’s extraordinary dedication to Maryland is anchored on gratitude. “The education I received here made me who I am today,” he says. “I’m grateful, therefore I’m loyal.” Carey was recruited to umd on a track scholarship. “Being on the track team taught me how to turn adversity into an advantage,” he states. “There were races where I tripped and got trampled and injured. But then I had to dust myself off, recover and return to practice for the next track meet. That taught me a vital lesson in resilience that I apply to this day.” His hope for students who benefit from the Carey Maryland Promise Scholarship? “That the education they receive here at Maryland will help them achieve their dreams, and that they, in turn, give to Maryland to help make the same possible for others who follow them to this great university.”
DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT THROUGH THE CLARK CHALLENGE Are you interested in creating an endowed scholarship through the Clark Challenge for Maryland Promise program? Here’s how: 1 Choose the school or other approved program where you hope to support students in need. 2 Make a gift of at least $50,000 and name your new endowed fund. 3 Receive a 100 percent match from the university and A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. 4 See your scholarship awarded–every year in perpetuity. For more information, contact the Office of Principal Gifts at 301.405.9375.
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FEARLESS IDEAS T H E CA M PA I G N F O R M A RY L A N D
CAMPAIGN PROGRESS
Dear Friends,
ALMA GILDENHORN ’53 CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR
The campaign team was on the road this past fall, visiting alumni and supporters in Washington, D.C., Baltimore and New York City through a series of landmark events. With appearances by current students, recent alumni and university leadership, our supporters had a first-hand look at the transformative impact a Maryland education has in the lives of our students. Here are just a few highlights from these special evenings.
$1.24 BILLION
The momentum of our campaign continues forward, having raised $1.24 billion towards our $1.5 billion goal. Together, we will continue to expand Maryland’s impact on our nation and our world. We
AS OF 2.19.2020
are so grateful to have your support!
NEW YORK, NY Nov. 19, Carnegie Hall
“Scholarships change the lives of students, and those students go on to change the lives of others through their achievements.” -Paul Mandell ’95, Chair, University of Maryland College Park Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C. BALTIMORE, MD Sept. 24, Cosmos Club
“The Banneker/Key Scholarship has put me on the path to be the first in my family to graduate from college and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to obtain an education at this institution.” -Kyeisha Laurence ’21
Oct. 10, Center Club
“These students—who are demonstrating Terp pride and showing just how wonderful this university is— will continue to brand this university in ways we have never seen.” -Craig Thompson ’92, Campaign Co-Chair
“Being on the pre-med track is definitely a competitive process, but since the University of Maryland is such a leading university in research and science...it’s been really great for me to be able to flourish here and get opportunities like working at Children’s National as a clinical research intern.” -Megan Berry ’22
GILDENHORN HEADSHOT BY JOHN T. CONSOLI | WASHINGTON, D.C. AND BALTIMORE, MD PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE S. CORDLE
“The Incentive Awards Program gave me the opportunity to explore, gave me the opportunity to truly see what I was interested in without worrying about the financial burden...and I’ve now been able to give back to my fellow Terps by providing mentorship on how to apply for internships or career opportunities.” -Tunji Onigbanjo ’19
INSPIRATION / 5
NEW BUILDINGS TRANSFORMING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE The Fearless Ideas Campaign has supported the opening of three new buildings on campus, and we recently announced two additional facilities that will transform the student experience:
$1.5 BILLION GOAL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY BUILDING: The University of Maryland broke ground in late 2019 on a new School of Public Policy building. This 70,000 square-foot building at the heart of campus will bring together more than 90 faculty members and 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, while also serving as a home to five growing research centers and 15 academic programs. This will be more than just a physical space—it will strengthen our community and prepare generations of fearless changemakers.
BASKETBALL PERFORMANCE CENTER: This $36 million, 60,000 square-foot facility will provide a new space for the Maryland men’s and women’s teams to train, practice and compete at the highest level. Located adjacent to the Xfinity Center, it will feature two full-size practice courts, a strength and conditioning space, locker rooms, lounges, sports medicine facilities and office space. As one of only four institutions in history to have won NCAA championships in both men’s and women’s basketball, Maryland has the opportunity to continue its ascent in the Big Ten Conference and provide our teams with the infrastructure they need to continue striving for championships. This new center will help provide a transformative experience for our student-athletes.
NEW YORK, NY PHOTO BY CHARLES MANLEY
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“SCHOLARSHIPS CHANGED MY LIFE” Elonna Jones ’20 Appreciates How Scholarships Made Her Education Possible
the scholarships I received here at the University of Maryland. These scholarships changed my life. Without them, I wouldn’t be graduating on time this May as a government and politics major and black women’s studies minor. I know it’s all thanks to the generous donors who make these scholarships possible. I was born and raised in Baltimore, the oldest in a family of six girls. Even at the age of seven, I could tell that my mother was struggling, largely because she didn’t have the opportunity to go to college. I knew that getting an education would be the key to a better future for me, and I decided early on that I wanted to go to college. I was excited to get into the University of Maryland, but my parents couldn’t afford to fully fund my education. I was commuting to campus and working more than 30 hours a week just to make ends meet. It was tough working so many hours and commuting to school. Many days my car couldn't get me to campus, so I'd have to carpool with my parents or take the train, light rail, or bus just to make it to class on time. Everything changed when I received the Student Success Emergency Scholarship and the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Emergency Fund Award. These scholarships not only paid for my tuition but also helped me with car repairs so I didn’t have to worry every day about how to get to campus. I also benefited from the African American Scholars Award through my minor in black women’s studies. Things began to fall into place after I received these scholarships. I got the opportunity to become a resident assistant, which allowed me to live on campus and stop commuting. It became far more convenient to attend classes.
Being a resident assistant has also enabled me to enhance my people skills and build closer connections within the campus community. I’ve had the chance to serve as the activism chair of the university’s chapter of NAACP, and was subsequently elected its president. I’ve enjoyed an amazing support network of teachers and mentors here at Maryland. For me, being a Terp means being determined to succeed and having the drive and self-motivation to make it happen, and seeking out opportunities to give back for all the support I’ve received. I look forward to running for public office someday. It would be great to have a chance to serve on the Baltimore City Council, for instance. I’m the volunteer coordinator for Phylicia Porter, who is running for a seat on the Baltimore City Council, 10th District. I consider her a role model and I’m learning a lot working with her. If she wins in November—and I expect she will—it will be an honor to serve on her staff and
continue to learn about how our city’s government operates. I love my hometown. My Fearless Idea is to use my talents and the great education I’ve received here at Maryland to improve the quality of life in Baltimore and make it a better city for all residents.
PHOTO BY JOHN T. CONSOLI
I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL FOR
PHOTO COURTESY OF FOLUKÉ TUAKLI
FOLUKE TUAKLI ’17: WHAT MARYLAND MEANS TO ME AT FIRST, I WASN’T SURE I was going to
pick the University of Maryland. I’m from Maryland, and like most teenagers, I considered other universities that would allow me to live away from home for the first time. But the more I compared the various options, the more I liked Maryland: its excellent outreach program to promising high school students, its academic rigor and the high quality of its student body. In the end, I knew Maryland was the one for me. I received several scholarships that enabled me to graduate debt free, which has been a great help. Among them were: the President’s Scholarship, the Margaret June Miller Memorial Scholarship, PepsiCo stars Mentor Scholarship, Herbert J. Siegel Scholarship and the Board of Advisors Scholarship. Coming to Maryland was the biggest—and best—decision I’ve ever made. I met a lot of incredible people, inside and outside the classroom. The
intellectual experience was amazing, but I also learned how to be a leader, how to challenge myself and quickly adapt to new situations. These skills continue to serve me well today. Maryland has all the resources and excitement of a large university but also offers many ways to form and be a part of small communities. I had a wealth of options to personalize my student experience, and many opportunities to give back. I was a tour guide, a volunteer in a variety of campus organizations, a resident assistant and a teaching assistant.
A Celebration of Terps Featuring the Maryland Awards APRIL 24, 2020
For additional information and past award recipients, visit celebrateterps.umd.edu.
I got the chance to travel to Cape Town, Hong Kong and Dubai for study. My semester studying abroad in Milan, Italy was one of the highlights of my years on campus. I learned some Italian, broadened my cultural competencies and enhanced my overall perspective. I remain connected to umd by participating in alumni events, and I come back to campus for speaking events from time to time. Maryland gave me an enriching and well-rounded education that I will always cherish. I’m now working for Twitter as a content creator. Wherever the next chapter of my life takes me, I will always be a proud Terp as I pursue my Fearless Ideas.
EACH SPRING,, the Alumni Association celebrates the achievements of seven outstanding Terps at this marquee event, bestowing the highest awards that alumni can receive from the university. This event recognizes fearless alumni who have risen to the highest levels of public service, launched successful companies and made groundbreaking discoveries. The recipients are icons to our students, alumni and the greater community.
University Relations Office of Strategic Communications 2101 Turner Hall, 7736 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20742
MO RE F ROM M A RY L A ND
SELECT RANKINGS
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THE PRINCETON REVIEW’S TOP SCHOOLS FOR UNDERGRADUATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP (2020)
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KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE’S BEST COLLEGE VALUES (2019) among U.S. public institutions (in-state)
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FORBES MAGAZINE’S AMERICA’S TOP COLLEGES (2019) among U.S. public institutions
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THE WALL STREET JOURNAL (2020) among U.S. public institutions
UPCOMING EVENTS: FRIDAY, APRIL 24: Celebration of Terps Featuring the Maryland Awards SATURDAY, APRIL 25: Maryland Day WEDNESDAY, MAY 20: Maryland in Manhattan THURSDAY, MAY 21: Commencement
SUPPORT MARYLAND You can leave an impact on the University of Maryland with a donation of any size. With many avenues for giving, you can invest in our brilliant students and faculty today. WAYS TO GIVE Annual Giving: Support all areas of the university through a gift at giving.umd.edu Planned Giving: We can help you arrange a charitable gift that provides benefits to you today and in the future. Contact the Office of Gift Planning at 1.866.646.4UMD or giftplanning@umd.edu to learn more. Matching Gifts: Supplement your gift by taking advantage of your employer's matching gift program. More than 33,000 companies match charitable gifts made by their employees, retirees and board members. Contact Dawn Tucker at 301.955.1278 or dtucker@umd.edu to see if your gift is eligible. Gifts of stock/wire transfers: Other than cash, securities (stock shares, mutual fund shares, bonds) are the most popular asset to fund charitable gifts. Contact the Office of Gift Acceptance at 301.955.1269 or kpfister@umd.edu to learn more. STAY CONNECTED Join the conversation online #FearlessIdeas
FearlessIdeas.umd.edu
fearlessideas.umd.edu