LeaderNotes Winter 2021

The latest edition of LeaderNotes is available. This edition includes a Letter from the President, a Board Meeting Recap, Gifts Across the System, and more.

Click here to read the full newsletter.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It’s hard to believe it has been a full year since we gathered the full Foundation Board in-person. Although the past year has not been easy, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel as COVID vaccines start to be distributed throughout the country. Here in Maryland, many of our institutions have been instrumental in COVID-related research and innovations.

On February 3, Chancellor Jay Perman and our USM presidents joined together to kick off a multimedia campaign that promotes the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations and highlights the ways USM students, faculty, and staff have contributed to fighting the pandemic. The aim of the campaign is to persuade all Marylanders, and not just members of the USM community, to receive the vaccine. Click here to read the important joint statement by the Chancellor and System presidents on COVID-19 vaccinations.

In the campaign, you may see a new face. On January 4, Dr. Gregory Fowler became president of the University of Maryland Global Campus. He comes to the USM from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) where he served as chief academic officer and vice president for academic affairs before becoming president of the school’s Global Campus in 2018. In this position, Dr. Fowler was responsible for supporting the university’s learning experiences, which included programs for refugees in Africa and the Middle East as well as programs for students in Mexico and Colombia. While at SNHU, Dr. Fowler oversaw more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs. Dr. Fowler is an accomplished scholar who holds an undergraduate degree from Morehouse College, a master’s degree from George Mason University, and a doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also is a two-time Fulbright Senior Scholar. Welcome to the USM, President Fowler!

On February 10, the USM Foundation Board met for its winter meeting. Almost 80 participants joined us and it was very nice to see so many familiar faces, even if it was not in-person. Please see a recap of the meeting in the newsletter.

I hope you stay safe and healthy in the months ahead. Please contact me at raley@usmd.edu with any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Leonard R. Raley