Greetings:

As you have an opportunity to review this annual report, you see the names of many dedicated alumni and loyal friends of UMD. These alumni and friends have chosen to share and support the UMD vision of outstanding undergraduate education with selected graduate programs. Very little of what we accomplish at UMD would be possible without your generous contributions and the strength of the commitment you have made to this university. In 2005 – 2006 contributions to UMD totaled over $7 million, which clearly suggests that you are very dedicated to this university and that you gave from your heart and you gave generously. We thank you for this support of UMD!

In this annual report we have profiled six very special donors who have put UMD high on their priority list. Each of them has a personal story and connection to UMD. Many times strong family ties, or the influence of parents, grandparents, brothers, or sisters have connected them to the past and future of UMD. Each of your gifts make a unique difference in the lives of our students and in the health of our programs, and continue the cycle of dedication, generosity and ties to this great university.

As I have had the opportunity to travel across the country to meet alumni donors and friends of UMD, I am frequently asked, “what’s next?” When we will be breaking ground and for what building? What’s next on our agenda? As you each know, buildings are very important because they create the environment for learning and a sense of pride in the achievements of the campus.

Now it is time for us to focus on an initiative specifically for students, to assist them in attending UMD. We are announcing a Reaching Higher Scholarship Initiative, which is a two-year campaign to build scholarships within each college and to provide an endowment for electronic subscriptions for the UMD library. The Reaching Higher Scholarship Initiative will focus on “opening minds, opening books and opening opportunities for our students,” many of whom would otherwise be unable to afford an education. A very important aspect of this initiative is that we will be able to match the scholarship payout of every gift to this $21 million campaign, so each of your gifts will double the support you are providing to students at UMD. Many times I have mentioned the outstanding and dedicated faculty of UMD and the high quality of students we are attracting. Our location, the beauty of the campus, and the support provided by so many of you provide the foundation for our continued success. For our students, nothing is more important than being able to graduate in a timely fashion and to do so requires financial assistance. It is that assistance that we are hoping we will be able to better provide through the Reaching Higher Scholarship Initiative.

In October 2006, the School of Fine Arts launched a Society of Prometheans event to honor alumni and friends who have made a difference
to society and to UMD. School of Fine Arts Dean Jack Bowman (l) is shown here with honorees recognized at the inaugural event: (l-r) Robert Kase, Dennis Lamkin, James Doughan, Beverly Goldfine and UMD Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin

The School of Fine Arts recently established the Society of the Prometheans and honored its first group of recipients. Each of the individuals honored spoke to the contributions made by the Tweed Museum and to relationships with faculty in particular departments in the School of Fine Arts. Robert Kase, a jazz musician and music teacher, spoke about the people at UMD who have touched his life and he said, “UMD is a magical place in a magical city on a magical lake.” Whether it is the Society of Prometheans, the Academy of Science and Engineering, a distinguished alumni recipient, or an honorary degree recipient … in each case what has been most important is a personal connection. With your support for this Reaching Higher Scholarship Initiative, we hope to provide our students today with the same sense of connection that has inspired each of you to become a part of our future and give so generously to this “great university on a great lake.” With your support, ordinary moments provide the foundation for extraordinary accomplishments!

UMD Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin