Patricia Kirwan, wife of USM Chancellor Emeritus Brit Kirwan, passed away after a long battle with illness. Patty was a tremendous advocate for children, as well as a devoted lover of animals. In MD, Patty was a gym teacher at the Silver Spring YMCA and a teachers’ aid in special education at Eastern Middle School. For almost 60 years of marriage, Patty was Brit’s wife, partner, advisor, confidante, and best friend. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Brit, their children Bill and Ann, their five grandchildren, and the entire Kirwan and Harper families during this time of loss.

Mary Gossett, generous supporter of the USM and its students, campuses, and programs, passed away on September 10. Mary was a long-time supporter of Maryland athletics and could often be found alongside her husband, Barry Gossett at basketball and football games at UMCP. In April, the Gossetts donated a historic $21.25 million to UMCP athletics to establish the Barry and Mary Gossett Center for Academic and Personal Excellence.

"After seven years of service to the USM Foundation, Chief Operating Officer Bill Wojcik has announced that he is resigning his position. He will stay on through September to assist us as he transitions to his new job. Roy Hossler, senior executive accountant, will serve as interim COO. Bill will be joining a Pittsburgh-based company that sells and implements financial/operational systems for manufacturing companies."

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has named UB President Kurt Schmoke the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award winner. According to ULI, Schmoke was chosen for his work in matters of housing, education, public health, and economic development, among other issues.