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Letter from the President
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Our latest board meeting was both informative and engaging, and it was wonderful to see so many friends and colleagues. At the meeting we heard from Dr. Suzanne Ostrand-Rosenberg, who serves as the Robert & Jane Meyerhoff Chair of Biochemistry at UMBC. She told us about her research, which is producing promising treatments using the body's own immune system to combat cancer. Funds from gifts to UMBC and held by the USM Foundation have directly supported her research needs, and Dr. Ostrand-Roseberg graciously acknowledged that this private support provided her with the flexibility to explore new research avenues that are leading to advances in cancer treatment.
We also met UMBC junior and Linehan Scholar Emily Eaglin and heard about her creative filmmaking projects. Emily was such an enthusiastic and delightful presenter, and she noted that without the Linehans' generosity, fulfilling her college dreams would have been impossible. Our last speakers came to us from the Executive Health Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (highlighted below). This newly launched program is adding to UMB's already prestigious reputation.
Chancellor Brit Kirwan gave his last report to the USM Foundation, a bittersweet milestone for us all. As many of you know, Brit has been a steadfast supporter of the Foundation and a constant presence at our meetings. I truly treasure the years I have worked with him, and I know I am not alone in feeling that way.
In other news, I am thrilled to share the wonderful accolades our investment staff has been receiving over the last few months, most recently our nomination for Foundation of the Year by Institutional Investor. It is wonderful to be recognized for the work we are doing and to see how private funds can make such a difference for our students, faculty, and staff.
Finally, I am sad to share that Maravene Loeschke, former president of Towson University, lost her battle with cancer on June 25th. Maravene was a special person who was compassionate, caring, and most of all committed to her Towson community. Towson has put together a special tribute to Maravene. She will truly be missed.
As always, please contact me at raley@usmd.edu or 301-445-1941 with any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Leonard R. Raley
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April 2015 Investment Office Update
Equity markets produced mixed results in April, as global and emerging markets equity indices outperformed U.S. market indices. The MSCI All Country World Index gained 2.9% in April, while the S&P 500 gained 1.0%. Weak U.S. economic data released in April may have played a role in this performance differential. The weak U.S. data also appeared to trigger depreciation in the U.S. dollar, notably against emerging market currencies. European bond yields also experienced notable volatility in April. To illustrate the point, the German bund yield declined to an intra-month low of 0.08%, only to gain 29 basis points by month-end. This reversal triggered a broader sell-off across global fixed income markets.
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USM Foundation Nominated for Institutional Investor's Foundation of the Year
It has been quite a year for the USM Foundation's investment
team! We reported in December 2014 about our consideration as a finalist for Asset International-CIO Magazine's Industry Innovation Award. Last month, we tied for the Good Governance award from Institutional Investor's Investor Intelligence Network. We were finalists along with the University of Cincinnati, Oberlin College, Mercy Health, and Hartford Health Care, and our peers at 170 respective institutional endowments named us and recognized us with the Good Governance award. To be considered so highly by our peers makes the award all the more rewarding.
On the heels of these two significant nominations and one award, we were nominated for Institutional Investor's Foundation of the Year. We were in prestigious company with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the J. Paul Getty Trust, the latter of which won the award. The annual award ceremony recognizes institutional investors, hedge funds, investment consultants, and rising stars for their performance, innovation, achievements and contributions to the industry.
We are honored to have even been considered for the award and are thrilled to be recognized so highly by our colleagues.
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UB and Coppin are collaborating to bring students and faculty from their respective institutions together to focus on STEM programs and initiatives. The collaboration will give students and faculty an opportunity to become more competitive in a global economy while also advancing the goals of OneBaltimore. Under this new partnership, shared facilities, equipment, and inter-institutional licensing will support research collaboration. By creating a shared "STEM-rich" environment, students and faculty will have the opportunity to teach and learn, establish new and grow existing academic programs, and inspire new job paths that will significantly impact Baltimore and beyond.
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The Late Charlie Sifford's Legacy Continues to Grow at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
On the heels of the inaugural gifts to the UMES Sifford Fund in March, the late Charlie Sifford's legacy continues to grow. Lexus celebrated the accomplishments of the legendary golfer and pioneer by establishing "The Lexus Endowment" with a $100,000 gift that will help UMES students establish careers in the golf industry. At the Art Shell UMES Invitational Golf Tournament that was held earlier this month, UMES named its 300-yard driving range "The Lexus Driving Range."
Meanwhile, the Sifford family has entrusted UMES to serve as caretaker for one-of-a-kind memorabilia that accumulated throughout Sifford's career. His legacy will be carried on, as students are encouraged to consider the color barriers he broke in becoming the first African-American to play in the professional golf tour.
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At our last board meeting, several doctors visited us from the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Executive Health Program, which provides busy executives with an efficient, cost-effective way to manage their health. Instead of rushing from appointment to appointment, members of the program can spend their day in a private suite while physicians and specialists rotate through for exams and consultations. We had several board members testify to what a wonderful program it is and I am sure many others will be looking ahead to scheduling their own appointments.
If you'd like to learn more about the Executive Health Program, please visit their website or view their video explaining how their program works.
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A Farewell from Chancellor Brit Kirwan
In advance of his departure from the USM, Chancellor Brit Kirwan taped a farewell message to share with friends and colleagues across the system.
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USM News Briefs
The Terrapins won seven championships this year, tying for the most championships in the Big Ten. College Park was one of two Big Ten schools to clinch NCAA postseason berths in football, men's and women's basketball and baseball. Three teams advanced to the Final Four of their respective NCAA tournaments, and women's lacrosse defended its national championship. Attendance and revenue from ticket sales increased in several sports.
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Trends in Philanthropy
The $400 Million Question
Harvard University was recently the recipient of a $400 million gift, which only amounts to one percent of its total endowment. The Chronicle of Higher Education examines the myriad ways in which a $400 million gift could transform other areas of higher education, such as fully funded tuition for students, new construction, and more.
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Board Member News
USM Foundation Honorary Board Director Robert Fischell was featured on WAMU radio and Terp Magazine for his innovative work in pain management for those who suffer from chronic pain. His profile in Terp Magazine can be found here and you can listen to his WAMU interview here.
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Investor Day
At the end of May, we invited our board members, strategic partners, and senior development officers to learn about exciting innovations taking place at the USM Foundation. We had a terrific turnout and wanted to share some photos below.
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| | President Leonard Raley welcomes attendees |
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| | Current and former interns - Harsha Neerchal, Chris Ingram, and Nikhil Mathur |
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