Letter from the President
Dear Friends and Colleagues,

After more than 20 long months of meeting virtually, I was so happy to see many of our Foundation Directors at our first in-person Board meeting since February 2020. The meeting was both informative and productive, and you can read more about it farther down in this newsletter.
Board Directors David Young and Harry Johnson at the Foundation's November 18 meeting
I am pleased to let you know that our FY21 annual report is ready to view. This year’s report includes a letter from me and Foundation Chair Bonnie Stein, and one from Chancellor Jay Perman. Both letters celebrate the accomplishments (including the highest investment return in the history of the Foundation) and recap the challenges the Foundation and USM experienced this past fiscal year. The report also features an interview with USM Foundation staff, who showed resiliency and ingenuity amid the pandemic’s disruptions. Click here to access the report.

In November, Foundation Board Chair Bonnie Stein was named to The Daily Record’s inaugural Power 30 Higher Education List, which showcases leaders, teachers, policymakers, and advocates who rose to the challenge of preparing a generation of citizens, despite the obstacles of the pandemic. I am thrilled that Bonnie was chosen for this well-deserved honor. Throughout the 12 years she has served on the Foundation Board, and her five years as chair, Bonnie has been a true example of a passionate leader, dedicating herself fully to advancing higher education within the state of Maryland. 

In an interview with The Daily Record, Bonnie commends USM institutions and the Foundation. “I get to be an eyewitness to the research, teaching and leadership that is improving the wellbeing of Maryland and the nation. The Foundation supports the extremely vital work of the System schools and academic centers by helping to build a culture of philanthropy and by investing donations to benefit students, faculty and programs” said Bonnie. Joining Bonnie on this list is Foundation Director and Chair of the Board of Regents Linda Gooden and USM superstars such as Chancellor Jay Perman, USM Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Joann Boughman, and nine USM institution presidents. You can read more about this farther down in the newsletter.

I’d like to close by telling you about an article I had published in Trusteeship, the Association of Governing Board’s bimonthly magazine. The article, “The Five Characteristics of Great Foundation Board Members,” outlines what I believe to be the five attributes that fantastic board members have. Great foundation board members are leaders; learners and listeners; grateful givers of time, talent, and treasure; diligent team players; and are faithful but not unquestioning advocates. If you have time, please give it a read by clicking here.
 
Finally, I would like to wish all of you a happy holiday season. I look forward to seeing you in the coming year and until then, please stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,
Leonard R. Raley
USM Foundation Board Meeting Recap
On November 18, the full Foundation Board of Directors met at Hidden Waters.

Governance Committee Chair Harry Johnson introduced two action items - a change to the Foundation Board's bylaws regarding the immediate past Chair of the Board, and the election of Board of Regents members Robert Neall and Gary Gill. The Board approved both of these items.
University of Baltimore Vice President for Institutional Advancement Theresa Silanskis and Leonard Raley
Investment Committee Chair Larry Boggs noted that the endowment portfolio ended FY21 with a +27.2% return, exceeding the return of its policy benchmark. FY21 was a banner year for financial markets and the endowment, with the aforementioned return representing the highest fiscal year return in the USM Foundation’s history.

Chancellor Jay Perman provided an update on the USM. Across the System, students are struggling with their mental health as a result of the pandemic. As such, the USM is working to expand the reach of mental health counseling for students. For a third year, enrollment is down across the System, which mirrors what is happening at universities across the country. The USM is committed to find ways to engage with underserved communities of students, as well as contribute to K-12 student success, which ultimately serves as a pipeline to college. In addition, the System aims to do a better job recruiting adult learners to USM institutions. Chancellor Perman concluded his report by noting that he is having many conversations with leaders in Annapolis to restore a cut to the USM's operating budget from June 2020.
Board Director Barry Gossett and Bowie State University President Aminta Breaux
The meeting concluded with a panel, Adaption and Resilience: Lessons from COVID. Chancellor Perman moderated the panel, which featured panelists: Joann Boughman, senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs; Anthony Jenkins, president of Coppin State University; and Patty Perillo, vice president for student affairs, University of Maryland, College Park. The panelists spoke to how each of their institutions adapted and what caught them off guard at the start of the pandemic. The panelists noted that there was no prior blueprint or past experience that they could draw from when making plans for their universities during COVID, as this was a new experience for everyone. The pandemic opened up a "digital divide," especially for underserved students who did not have access to the technology necessary for them to continue their education in a remote environment. Ultimately, each panelist agreed that the USM's collaborative response to the pandemic was invaluable in ensuring that students were able to experience a successful return to in-person learning.
Jay Perman, Anthony Jenkins, Joann Boughman, and Patty Perillo
Foundation Board Member News
Foundation Board Chair Bonnie Stein (pictured at right) was named to The Daily Record’s inaugural Power 30 Higher Education List. Joining her on the list is Board Director and Board of Regents Chair Linda Gooden, Chancellor Jay Perman, and the USM’s Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Joann Boughman, and nine USM presidents: Aminta Breaux, Bowie State University; Gregory Fowler, University of Maryland Global Campus; Freeman Hrabowski, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Bruce Jarrell, University of Maryland, Baltimore; Ronald Nowaczyk, Frostburg State University; Darryll Pines, University of Maryland, College Park; Kim Schatzel, Towson University; Kurt Schmoke, University of Baltimore; and Charles Wight, Salisbury State University.
President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Antonio Tijerino
Board Director and President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Antonio Tijerino was presented with the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Award on November 13. The award is given to a business who has history in the region of making long-term contributions to the community.
Owner and Founder of Route One Apparel Ali von Paris
Board Director Ali von Paris’ company, Route One Apparel, was named the number one fastest growing private company by the Baltimore Business Journal. In order to be considered for the list, companies must have at least $100,000 revenue in 2018; $1 million in 2020; their growth must be consecutive year over year; and companies must be based in Greater Baltimore.
Corporate Vice President and President, Space Systems Thomas L. Wilson
Emeritus Board Member Thomas Wilson was elected corporate vice president and president, Space Systems, by the Northrop Grumman Corporation's board of directors, effective January 1, 2022. Wilson has 32 years of experience in the space industry and he holds a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Board of Regents Chair and Foundation Board Director Linda Gooden
Board Director and Board of Regents Chair Linda Gooden was named to the 2021 Daily Record Icon Honors list. The honorees represent Marylanders over the age of 60 who have shown notable success and leadership within and outside of their chosen fields. Linda is joined on the list by two additional Board of Regents members, Isiah "Ike" Leggett and Robert L. Wallace.
Foundation Board Director Barry Gossett
In November, the University of Maryland, College Park announced that the position of athletic director at the university will now be named the Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics, in recognition of a leadership gift from Barry. Barry is a life-long supporter of the university and its athletic programs.
Gifts and Campaigns Across the System
Bowie State University received a $1 million gift from the computer software company Adobe. BSU is an inaugural member of the Adobe Anchor Scholar Program, which aims to build partnerships with HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions to expose students to careers in technology and prepare them with skills they can use in the future.

In early November, the University of Maryland, Baltimore inaugurated Bruce Jarrell as its seventh president. At the inauguration, President Jarrell announced a planned gift with a value around $18 million from Lawrence Hayman, an Eastern Shore businessman. The gift will fund presidential initiatives aimed at improving health care access and education across the Eastern Shore.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County received a $1 million gift from an anonymous graduate, which will establish the Endowed Pausch Professorship in Economics, along with $1 million in matching funds from the Maryland E-nnovation Initiative Fund. The professorship will focus on high-impact student mentoring, teaching, and innovative research, and funds invested will generate income each year for the research program of the Pausch Professor.

In September, Frostburg State University launched a $25 million fundraising campaign, Forging Futures: The Campaign for Frostburg State University. As of early September, $16 million were raised in the quiet phase of the campaign.
The University of Maryland, College Park reached its goal of raising a record $1.5 billion for its multiyear fundraising campaign, Fearless Ideas: The Campaign for Maryland. UMCP reached their campaign goal four months early and succeeded thanks to the generous support of 117,046 donors, 52 percent of which were alums. The campaign launched publicly in 2018.
USM News Briefs
UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski was awarded the Dr. John Hope Franklin Award by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. According to Diverse, the award was created to recognize individuals and organizations whose contributions to higher education are "consistent with the highest standards of excellence." Hrabowski was celebrated with a virtual award presentation on November 16.

In October, Salisbury University opened the Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship, which was made possible by a $5.5 million gift from the Rommels in 2017 that launched We Are SU: The Campaign for Salisbury University. The Center will benefit not only students, but community members, and local small business owners. Students will have access to prototyping equipment, meeting space, and business resources.
Dave and Patsy Rommel, left, at the opening of the Center for Entrepreneurship
Frostburg State University was awarded $1.48 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the Maryland Advanced Technology Center at the FSU Innovation Park. The award will establish a Waste-to-Value Center of Excellence, a Remote Work Center, the Renewable Energy Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program and the Center for Advanced Product Design and Manufacturing which will serve Western Maryland and the surrounding region.

A number of System institutions have been nationally ranked by publications such as the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education, U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly. Click here to see the list of accolades.

In addition, USM institutions remain among the most affordable universities in the nation, which was confirmed by the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing report. The report shows that Maryland families continue to benefit from affordable college options within the USM. Click here to read more.
USM Leadership Transitions
This summer, Joshua Humbert joined Coppin State University as vice president for Institutional Advancement. Prior to joining CSU, Humbert held positions at Jubilee Housing Holdings, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, the University of Maryland, College Park, Spellman College, and he most recently served as director of philanthropic strategies for The Center for Financial Planning, CFP Board.

In August, UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski announced that he intends to retire following this academic year after more than 30 years as president. Hrabowski has done so much for UMBC and higher education nationally, as evidenced by when he was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world and one of Time magazine’s 10 best college presidents. The search committee was just announced recently, and Regent Michele Gourdine will lead the committee.

In October, Salisbury University President Charles Wight announced that he plans to retire at the end of the academic year. He noted that some ongoing health issues drove his decision. Wight began his tenure at Salisbury in 2018 and as president of SU, he focused on building a culture of diversity and inclusion. Under his leadership, the university opened a Center for Equity, Justice, and Inclusion, and reinstated its Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Anthony Jenkins was inaugurated as the eighth president of Coppin State University in October. Jenkins is a champion of public policy issues relevant to advancing higher education and is committed to positioning CSU to become a national leader in urban higher education.
 
On November 5, the University of Maryland, Baltimore inaugurated Bruce Jarrell as president. Jarrell has been instrumental in providing guidance to the USM on COVID protocols and is no stranger to the UMB community, having served as provost, chief academic and research officer, executive vice president, and dean of the Graduate School, as well as vice dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and chair of the Department of Surgery.