Letter from the President | | |
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As I prepare to retire at the end of June after nearly twenty years at the USM Foundation, I am filled with gratitude for the colleagues I’ve had the privilege of working with across the System. It’s been an honor to collaborate with such thoughtful, talented, and committed people. Together, we’ve reshaped how we approach philanthropy and alumni engagement, strengthened our investment and governance work, and supported one another through change, embracing our mission: expanding the reach and impact of public higher education in Maryland.
I’m especially grateful to our Foundation staff, colleagues across the USM, and the Foundation Board of Directors. Your dedication and integrity have shaped every milestone we’ve reached. I’ve learned something from each of you and will carry those lessons with me. I am forever appreciative of your trust, your guidance, and your deep belief in the values that have guided our work.
More than anything, I’ll remember the relationships I’ve formed. The conversations, the moments of collaboration, and your acts of kindness, support, and generosity will stay with me. I’ll miss those moments most of all, and I’ll carry them with me as a reminder of what’s possible when people care deeply and work together toward a common purpose. The future of the USM Foundation has never been brighter.
Thank you all for your partnership and your friendship for the past two decades—I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m proud of all that we’ve accomplished and will watch from afar as the USM Foundation soars to even greater heights. Finally, as I enter the next chapter of my life, and as I reflect on a career of 47 years in higher education, I cannot express my appreciation enough for the love and support I have felt from my wife Sue, and our daughters, Elyse and Allison.
Sincerely,
| | USM Foundation Board Meeting Recap | | |
The Foundation’s Board of Directors met on May 16 at Towson University.
The meeting began with a welcome from Towson University President Mark Ginsberg. President Ginsberg expressed pride in the TU community and celebrated the success of their most impactful Big Give Day, with nearly 2,000 participants and close to $1 million raised. President Ginsberg emphasized philanthropy and inclusion as hallmarks of great universities and highlighted that nearly 90 percent of TU graduates are Maryland residents and remain in the state, which positions TU as a key contributor to Maryland’s innovation and workforce development.
Next, Towson University colleagues Vernon Hurte, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and
Heather Polonsky, M.Ed., Associate Director for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, spoke to the Board about student success and civic engagement efforts on campus. They presented a number of impressive initiatives that TU is implementing to foster wholistic student success as well as to engage students and ensure that they are informed and involved in their communities.
The Board heard from Chancellor Jay Perman next, who spoke to outgoing Board Chair Don Scheeler's exceptional service to the Foundation Board for the past three years. Chancellor Perman noted that Don's leadership is defined by decency and kindness and that he brought stability to the Board through his ability to compromise without compromising principles. Furthermore, Chancellor Perman spoke to Don's biggest accomplishments as Board Chair, such as helping lead a governance review that clarified committee roles, bringing attention to risk management, negotiating new fund management agreements with key partners, leading talks about investment strategy, and more. Chancellor Perman concluded his report with a brief update on the System.
| | Leonard Raley and staff with TU's mascot, Doc | | |
Alan Cason, outgoing Governance Committee chair and incoming Board chair, delivered the Governance Committee report. Alan welcomed new directors and thanked outgoing directors and committee chairs for their service.
The Governance Committee had a final and special item of business: appointing Leonard Raley as President Emeritus of the USM Foundation through an official resolution that recognized his exceptional leadership and lasting contributions.
Mitch Neitzey gave his final report as chair of the Investment Committee and Sharcus Steen, chief investment officer for the USM Foundation, presented a positive investment portfolio update, despite the uncertainty of the markets.
Linda Jones delivered the Audit Committee report and noted that the Committee met in April to discuss the Foundation's Form 990 and upcoming enterprise risks. The Committee is reviewing these risks and will evolve The Committee is reviewing these risks and will evolve its oversight and strategies accordingly.
Finally, Leonard Raley delivered his last president's report. Leonard remarked on the full circle nature of his career - which started at Towson University as an undergraduate student. Leonard thanked the numerous Board members and colleagues he has worked with for the past 20 years of his career. You can read Leonard's remarks here.
| | Philanthropy Across the System | Bowie State University received a $2,500 donation from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland Masons as part of the fraternity’s 200th anniversary celebration.The gift will support student scholarships and reflects a broader initiative by the Masons to promote educational advancement across Maryland's four HBCUs. | Ten students from Towson University were awarded $7,500 toward their tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year through the Patterson Family Foundation, founded by author James Patterson. The students, selected from a competitive pool of over 98 applicants, were chosen for their passion for reading, strong recommendations, and interviews. | Towson University has received a $1 million gift from alumna Mildred H. Burkman ’82 and her husband, Dr. Ronald T. Burkman, to establish the university’s first endowed professorship in nursing. The Mildred H. Burkman ’82 Endowed Professorship in Nursing will support a tenured faculty member committed to excellence in teaching, research, and public service. Inspired by Millie Burkman’s career in community and pediatric health and her return to TU as a non-traditional student, the gift aims to enhance student learning and nursing research. This endowment, paired with the new Health Professions Building, will help attract top faculty and elevate Towson’s leadership in nursing education. | TU Provost Melanie Perreault, Ronald Burkman, Millie Burkman, TU Dean Lisa Plowfield | Wayne Krumwiede a 96-year-old World War II veteran and graduate of UMGC and his wife Grace, recently pledged a $75,000 bequest to UMGC to support scholarships for future students. Krumwiede credits his education from UMGC for shaping his successful military and civilian careers in the Air Force and federal government. | Wayne and Grace Krumwiede | |
The TowerCares Foundation, affiliated with Tower Federal Credit Union, has partnered with UMBC’s Cybersecurity Institute to establish a new scholarship fund supporting students in the Cyber Scholars Program. The program provides financial aid, mentoring, and research opportunities to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity. Since its inception, the program has launched over 100 graduates into government, business, and consumer data roles.
UMCP alumna Marsha Laufer and her husband, Henry, recently donated $6 million to UMCP's Maryland Democracy Initiative to support civic literacy and democratic engagement from K-12 through higher education. The Maryland Democracy Initiative was launched in 2023 and is a nonpartisan program that develops teaching materials, conducts research, and trains educators to promote lifelong civic participation. The Laufers were the Initiative's first donors and have helped fund voter research, internships, and mobilization efforts.
| Kimmy Duong fled Vietnam in 1975 when Saigon fell, eventually landing in Maryland where she began a new life. Duong is recognizing her 50th anniversary of her arrival in the U.S. with a $1 million pledge to fund need-based scholarships at UMCP for journalism and public policy students. The gift was matched through the Clark Challenge and builds on her previous $2 million contribution supporting engineering and business students. | Long Nguyen, Kimmy Duong and UMD President Darryll J. Pines | UMCP alumni Ellen F. Gaske and T. Paul Gaske have pledged $1 million over five years to support the renovation and expansion of UMCP's College of Education’s Benjamin Building. Their gift will transform the Benjamin Building into a collaborative learning environment featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and gathering spaces. The renovation is slated to begin in 2030 and will better prepare future educators and foster stronger ties between the College of Education and the School of Public Health. The Gaskes, longtime supporters of UMD, have contributed significantly to both the College of Education and the A. James Clark School of Engineering through their foundation. | | Bowie State University celebrated its 160th anniversary with a gala that honored its legacy as Maryland’s first HBCU and looked ahead to its future. The event featured tributes, live performances, and recognition of outstanding alumni. BSU President Aminta Breaux emphasized the sacrifices that shaped the university’s history and the importance of continuing its mission. BSU also announced that their Campaign for Excellence has raised $67 million. | | Frostburg State University's fourth annual Bobcat Giving Day, held in early April, raised $206,415 from 1,635 donors, surpassing last year’s total. Donors supported various university funds, with bonus prizes awarded to top-performing groups based on donor count. Athletics softball won the $5,000 grand prize. | | Coppin State University hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in early May to celebrate the opening of the SheCare Wellness Pod, a mental health support space created in partnership with the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation and Kate Spade New York. The pod offers counseling, wellness activities, and workshops focused on emotional well-being and resilience, especially for women. The event featured actress and foundation founder Taraji P. Henson. | | A successful USM Alumni Day at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore was held on Sunday, May 18. The event brought together more than 860 alumni and their families from seven institutions. Staff and volunteers from the seven institutions hosted tables in the zoo's main plaza and connected with their alumni through institution-branded giveaways. | | USM Staff at the USM Alumni Day at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore | | Salisbury University President Carolyn Ringer Lepre joined Maryland Governor Wes Moore in Tokyo to sign an agreement with the Japan Study Abroad Foundation, making SU the first degree partner in the state for the foundation. The partnership will bring Japanese students to SU for one-semester and one-year programs. This agreement enhances SU’s existing study abroad relationships in Japan and aims to strengthen cultural and educational ties between Maryland and Asia. Lepre also expanded SU’s long-standing partnership with the Center for Advanced Studies in South Korea, launching a dual degree program for high school students to earn SU credits. | | UMGC Awarded Fulbright 2025 Champion Award | | The Fulbright Association has awarded UMGC its 2025 Champion Award, recognizing the university’s enduring commitment to international exchange and global citizenship. UMGC was awarded for its global reach, innovative digital education, and alignment with Fulbright’s mission, including leadership by President Gregory Fowler, who is a two-time Fulbright scholar. With over 98,000 students (more than half of whom are military-affiliated,) UMGC offers programs in over 20 countries. | | UMCP and UMB Join Forces for Biomedical Breakthroughs with $12.75M MPower Grant | A new $12.75 million, five-year grant from the MPowering the State initiative will support biomedical innovation between UMCP and UMB. The funding advances the Edward and Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine, which brings together engineers and clinicians to address health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. MPower will help fund new lab and office space in Baltimore’s BioPark, faculty recruitment, and a pipeline for students to pursue joint medical and engineering education, including a new BS-to-MD program. Initial research will involve bioengineering faculty but aims to engage all engineering disciplines in healthcare innovation. The initiative strengthens existing UMCP and UMB collaborations in areas like cancer care, medical device development, and glaucoma research. | | UMCES Appalachian Lab Celebrates Installation of Solar Panels | In May, the UMCES Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg celebrated the installation and economic and environmental benefits of 381 solar panels, which have offset an estimated 286,000 pounds of CO₂ annually. The panels were funded by the Maryland Energy Agency and will supply about 18 percent of the Appalachian Laboratory's annual energy needs and up to 100 percent on sunny days. U.S. Representative April McClain Delaney and UMCES President Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm were in attendance at the celebration and emphasized the importance of renewable energy in driving both sustainability and regional development. | April McClain Delaney and Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm | | A Small Tribute from Leonard Raley's Staff | | |
As Leonard Raley prepares to retire as president and CEO of the USM Foundation and vice chancellor for advancement at the USM, we reflect on his extraordinary leadership throughout his twenty-year tenure. This report serves as both a record of his accomplishments and a tribute to Leonard’s legacy that is defined by empathy, dedication, and integrity. Board members and staff alike are fortunate to have worked alongside Leonard and to have been inspired by his leadership, which has led to sustained excellence and transformation for the Foundation. With gratitude, we present this report on his twenty years of service.
Elevating Systemwide Engagement and Philanthropy
Throughout his tenure, Leonard transformed how the USM approaches philanthropy and alumni engagement. Working closely with the Board of Regents and the Chancellor’s Office, he championed fundraising for endowment as a strategic imperative and key performance measure. Recognizing the need for a stronger platform for advancement, Leonard elevated a working group into a standing committee of the Board of Regents, creating the Regents' Advancement Committee. He also helped launch the Alumni Relations Council to foster a collaborative focus on alumni engagement. His in-person “listening tours” with senior leadership across the USM advocated for sustained investment in alumni engagement and fundraising.
Building Capacity Across the System
Under Leonard’s leadership, the USM’s capacity for advancement grew significantly. In collaboration with the Board of Regents and the Office of Administration and Finance, he helped establish a quasi-endowment fund that provides direct support to campus advancement programs. This includes a grant program designed to fuel endowment-building initiatives, which the Board of Regents recently expanded from $475,000 to $1 million annually.
Leonard drove technology and shared services forward by extending the USM’s Ellucian/Advance Consortium to nearly all USM institutions and launching a major initiative to upgrade to a next-generation CRM platform. Additionally, he introduced shared services such as wealth screening and prospect research tools, which enhanced cross-campus collaboration and efficiency.
Professional development also thrived under Leonard’s guidance. A small calendar of annual events grew into more than 30 professional development offerings each year, including summits for advancement leaders that feature national experts on topics ranging from campaign strategy to foundation governance.
Fostering Record-Breaking Fundraising
Leonard’s contributions to philanthropic growth were substantial. He helped raise $3 million to endow the Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation and $2.3 million for the mini-campaign, A Matter of Degrees, to support college completion. Most notably, he provided leadership and strategic guidance throughout the USM’s $1.7 billion system-wide campaign, which ultimately raised $2.6 billion—nearly one billion over its original goal.
Expanding Investment Management
Leonard also played a pivotal role in advancing the Foundation’s investment strategy. Under his stewardship, five Maryland community college foundations joined as investment partners. He built a best-in-class investment team and portfolio that garnered national recognition, including Institutional Investor’s Good Governance Award in 2015 and the Endowment of the Year at its 19th annual Hedge Fund Industry Awards.
During Leonard’s tenure, the Foundation’s endowment grew from approximately $674 million to $2.4 billion. He also led two Investor Days that delivered market insights and strengthened campus and client relationships.
Modernizing Foundation Governance and Strategy
Leonard led the USM Foundation through its first strategic planning process, followed by two additional cycles that shaped long-term direction and deepened alignment with campus and volunteer stakeholders. His focus on governance reform resulted in a thorough review of board operations and clarified term limits, nomination processes, committee roles, and oversight responsibilities.
He also introduced a comprehensive enterprise risk management framework, integrating it into the charge of the Audit Committee. This allowed the Committee to adopt new technology systems that streamlined internal operations and improved reporting for both staff and campus clients. To amplify the Foundation’s advocacy efforts, Leonard established the Board’s Advocacy Committee, which leads initiatives to raise the System’s visibility within the Maryland legislature.
Preserving Hidden Waters as a System Asset
Leonard ensured the maintenance and continued use of Hidden Waters, the Chancellor’s residence, overseeing its expansion as an event venue and resource for USM institutions.
Leadership in the Maryland Community
Leonard’s commitment to volunteer service has earned recognition and appreciation across the state. He chaired the board of the former Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce and served in multiple leadership roles with the Maryland Marketing Partnership (vice chair and treasurer), demonstrating his dedication to regional economic development and civic leadership.
We are deeply grateful for Leonard’s leadership of the Foundation. Through his commitment to philanthropy, advancement services, and strategic investment, he helped build a strong and connected foundation positioned for lasting success. His ability to bring colleagues together, listen with purpose, and lead with integrity has left a lasting impression not just on our institutions, but on the many individuals he mentored and inspired. From growing endowment-building efforts to advocating for shared services and professional development, Leonard’s leadership has shaped the culture and capacity of advancement across the USM. We thank him for his decades of exceptional years of service to public higher education and congratulate him on his retirement!
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