CHARTING A BOLD COURSE FOR THE FUTURE
St. Mary’s College of Maryland, The National Public Honors College, stands at a confluence of possibilities. In the evolving landscape of higher education, ensuring our competitiveness is not merely a goal – it’s a necessity. The world is evolving, and the skills our students need to navigate are rapidly changing.
By supporting the Taking the LEAD Campaign by June 30 2025, you are investing in programs and initiatives that align with emerging trends. Your partnership helps chart our course toward sustained excellence and a brighter future.
How high can we
fly?
June 30, 2025
June 30, 2025
How High Can We Fly?
Oct. 28, 2024 = $21,098,690
$20 million goal
Taking the LEAD
The LEAD Initiative
The LEAD (Learning through Experiential and Applied Discovery) Initiative is our COMPASS. The campaign will provide critical funds to fuel an experiential, liberal arts honors education that will ensure that all students can take advantage of real-world experiences - internships, undergraduate research, international experiences - that are blended with professional skill development and “The St. Mary’s Way.”
The Rising Tide
The Rising Tide Strategic Plan is our ANCHOR. The campaign will provide the resources to create an innovative, distinctive and competitive academic identity, empower students for success, build a student body that embodies our commitment to inclusivity, and become an engaging and enriching community for our campus and the region.
Leading the Way
Thank you to our generous donors who are leading the way by contributing to the LEAD Campaign.
$1,000,000+ donors
Nancy Ruyle Dodge
Donald R. Stabile
Marguerite Pelissier & William E. Seale
Arthur & Hilda C. Landers Charitable Trust
$100,000-$999,999 donors
$10,000-$99,999 donors
As of 10/18/24
IMPACT
On September 27, the Learning Commons was named for Dallas P. Dean '60, who made a tremendous impact at St. Mary's College, especially the Educational Studies and Master of Arts in Teaching programs.
R. Scott Raspa '86 discusses the value of the Learning through Experiential and Applied Discovery (LEAD) initiative at St. Mary's College of Maryland, and why he supports the College through his philanthropy - totaling the largest gift commitment in College history.
In addition to creating a scholarship fund, Nancy Dodge made the biggest gift in the College’s history to name the Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center.
Professor of the College Don Stabile made two significant commitments for scholarship, one to ignite the quiet phase of the campaign and one to ignite the public phase.
Congratulations to the winners of the Decade Challenge! Sincerest thanks to the 1,451 alumni who took part in the Challenge between July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024! Special thanks to each of the Decade Ambassadors for inspiring their peers to contribute to the Decade Challenge, especially those who led their decades to victory: Nancy Yannayon '75, Erin O'Connell '91, Taylor Minor '21 and Emily Shipley '23.
Giving Tuesday 2023 was a record-breaking success. More than 4,000 gifts amounted to over $390,000 in direct support of St. Mary's College students and the Taking the LEAD campaign. Our alumni really stepped up to BECOUNTED this year, with over 900 SMCM graduates paying it forward to keep the College's momentum strong.
Navigating to a Brighter Future
Engaged volunteers are key to the success of the Taking the LEAD Campaign! The Campaign Steering Committee provides guidance and ensures that the strategic direction of the campaign is implemented. The Campaign Ambassadors - alumni representing their decades - broaden awareness and facilitate engagement among their peers. The College is grateful for these individuals.
Helen Mattingly Wernecke, Chair, Southern Maryland Community Leader
John Bell '95, Trustee Chair
Cindy Broyles ’79, Trustee Emerita
Donald R. Bryan ’73, Trustee
Elizabeth A. Byrd, Honorary Alumna
Jeffrey J. Byrd, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Laraine M. Glidden, PhD, Professor Emerita
Thomasina Hiers ’97, Foundation Vice President
R. Scott Raspa ’86, Foundation Treasurer
Donald R. Stabile, PhD, Professor of the College
Donna L. West ’76, past Alumni Association President
Ex-officio
Tuajuanda C. Jordan, PhD, President
Gail M. Harmon, Trustee & Chair of the Institutional Advancement Committee
Bonnie M. Green ’74, Foundation Secretary
Carolyn Curry, Foundation Executive Director
1940s, 50s and 60s
Barbara Kimmelshue Kearns ’63
James A. Wood ’61
1970s
Nancy Bassford Yannayon ’75
1980s
Angela Stocksdale Harvey ’83
James C. Harvey '83
Leon J. Henry ’88
1990s
Eunice D. Aikins-Afful ’95
Erin C. O’Connell ’91
2000s
Ifeanyi “Ify” O. Ezeigbo ’08
Caralyn Roviello Fama ’01
Sean A. Floyd ’06
Theresa Tenaglia Toll ’08
2010s
Stephon A. Dingle ’12
John C. Haltiwanger ’10
Sophia Macek Rowe ’19
Lauren C. Taylor ’14
2020s
Taylor N. Miner ’21
Emily E. Shipley '23
Will you LEAD the Way?
St. Mary’s College of Maryland Foundation
The SMCM Foundation is a private, non-profit 501 (c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization that supports St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
SMCM Foundation Inc.
18952 E. Fisher Rd.
St. Mary’s City, MD 20686
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Contact
Institutional Advancement
47645 College Drive
St. Mary’s City, MD 20686
240.895.4282
advancementoffice@maishirts.com
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