LeaderNotes
A newsletter for Foundation directors and friends of higher education in Maryland

Letter from the President
 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

 

It has been quite a month here at the University System of Maryland Foundation. In the last few weeks alone, we've had an abundance of events and news. Earlier this month, we celebrated the USM's 25th anniversary. Then we learned that Chancellor Kirwan is stepping down after 50 years of public service in higher education. We said goodbye to retiring University of Baltimore president Bob Bogomolny and hello to Kurt Schmoke. In between all of that, we had numerous committee meetings, council meetings, and more. Summer may be coming soon, but we are busier than ever!

 

It is fitting that the news of Brit's retirement came right after we celebrated the USM's 25th anniversary - a huge part of the USM's legacy is also Brit's. We were able to recognize many of the achievements accomplished in the last 25 years, and especially in the last 12 under Brit's leadership. I know I am not alone in saying that I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with this extraordinary gentleman. Fortunately, we have at least one more Chancellor's report on the horizon at our June board meeting.

 

As always, please contact me at [email protected] with any questions or comments.

  

Sincerely,

  

Leonard R. Raley

Investment Performance Through 3/31/14
 

 

Endowment 

S&P 500

Composite Benchmark 

80/20

March 2014
0.1% 0.8% 0.5% 0.6% 
CYTD 20140.7% 
1.8% 
1.8% 1.9% 

FYTD 2014

7.9% 

18.4% 

11.4% 

15.1% 

3 Yr AACR

6.3%

14.7% 

6.0% 

12.6% 

5 Yr AACR

9.6%

21.2% 

10.3% 

17.9% 

 
Starting with the 2015 Fiscal Year, we will be displaying our investment performance in a different format to better align with our long-term strategic goals.

 

After 12 wonderful years as Chancellor to the University System of Maryland, Chancellor Kirwan, or "Brit" as he is known to us, has decided to step down. He has graciously agreed to remain as chancellor at the request of the USM Board of Regents until they can conduct a national search and choose his successor. In his 12 years at the System, Brit has championed access and affordability through various initiatives. Brit is indisputably one of the most visionary and accomplished leaders, not just in Maryland, but also on the national stage.

 

We are all very lucky to have been a part of his legacy. Congratulations, and good luck, Brit!

Good Luck, President Bogomolny!

 

Last summer, current University of Baltimore (UB) president Robert Bogomolny announced that he planned to retire. With his replacement announced (see next article), we can look back on Bob's 12-year tenure at UB and celebrate his accomplishments and achievements. Bob was a leading force in transforming the UB campus and surrounding neighborhood. He revived the four-year undergraduate program, expanding UB's offerings as a higher education institution for both undergraduate and graduate students. He was also instrumental in developing new construction that helped transform the face of the UB campus. 

Congratulations, Bob, and thank you for all that you have done for the University of Baltimore, the USM, and the city of Baltimore. 

 

The former mayor of Baltimore and current interim provost and general counsel at Howard University, Kurt L. Schmoke, will be the University of Baltimore's new president. Kurt was appointed by the USM Board of Regents, and will be stepping into his new role this summer. 

 

We look forward to welcoming Kurt to our outstanding team of higher education leaders within the USM! 

May 2014
Vol. 8, Iss. 5
In This Issue
Investment Performance
USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan to Retire
Good Luck, President Bogomolny!
Kurt L. Schmoke Appointed President of UB
USM News Briefs
Trends in Philanthropy
Board Member News
USM News Briefs   
  

As part of the MPowering the State initiative, the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering have developed a combined Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering degree program. The program is designed to meet the need for medical sciences and bioengineering expertise among health professionals. 
 
Trends in Philanthropy 

 Online Charitable Giving Has its Best Year Yet

According to a new study, 2013 was the best year yet for online charitable giving. Since 2012, online giving increased 14% and brought in 5.5 million total gifts with nearly $325 million raised. The average one-time donation increased from $60 to $68 and overall non-profit website traffic grew 16%. Social media has also seen significant growth - Facebook fans grew by 37% and Twitter followers increased by 46% for non-profit organizations. 

Board Member News 

 

USM Foundation Board Directors Gary N. Rubin and J. William Murray were both recognized at Towson University's Distinguished Alumni and Deans Recognition 2014 Awards Banquet on May 8. Gary received the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award, while Bill received a Deans' Recognition Award.
 
Robert Milkovich was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at First Potomac Realty Trust. He will oversee all aspects of operations, including leasing, property management, marketing and development.  
 
Congratulations to our  accomplished board members!

Jess Gill

Editor, LeaderNotes

301-445-2743

[email protected]