It was an extra bonus for Linda Smith and her family, that CSM student Lisa Walker, of Waldorf and recipient of the first Gary D. Smith Memorial Scholarship, had roots in Ohio as she and husband Gary had, and that Walker had attended Thomas Stone High School, as the Smith children had. From left are Walker’s parents Richard and Sue Walker, Walker, Linda Smith, Gabe Smith holding Ethan and Gabe’s wife Sara holding Madeline. (Submitted photo)
LA PLATA, Md. (Dec. 1, 2009)—The College of Southern Maryland Foundation invested in the future of 47 students by awarding $115,566 in scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year.
"This event is one of the favorite parts of my job as president-thanking our generous donors and state and local supporters," said CSM President Brad Gottfried. "And, meeting our wonderful students, our future leaders, teachers, engineers and scientists."
With more than 8,800 students this semester, it is important to make sure that CSM finds ways to provide access to anyone who really wants an education at the college, Gottfried said. Helping to provide that access are the many friends and supporters of the college, he added.
One of those friends and supporters of the college present at the awards ceremony was Linda Smith who, along with her family and the generous support of many community members created the Gary D. Smith Memorial Scholarship to honor her late husband, a photojournalist with deep ties to CSM and the Southern Maryland community.
"Education is so important to our family," said Linda Smith. "Our children received financial assistance to go to college and this is our way of giving back."
The first recipient of the Gary D. Smith Memorial Scholarship is Lisa Walker, 19, of Waldorf and a freshman majoring in communication. "This scholarship has made the difference between being a part-time or full-time student," said Walker who dreams of being a radio disc jockey. "The scholarship will cover the cost of a class for the next two semesters which will really help me move more quickly to my goal."
The anticipation of attending the awards ceremony was emotional for Linda Smith. Recalling that her husband died eight months earlier, she said, "Once I met Lisa and learned that her family was from Ohio, as Gary and I were, and that she graduated from Thomas Stone, as our children had, I was so happy."
Students were recognized for receiving the following scholarships:
-- Michelle Baker, Castles and Foundations Scholarship
-- Cynthia Bomgardner, Tri-County 40/8 Scholarship
-- Tanja Brown, Albert L. Elder, Jr. Family Memorial Scholarship
-- Hannah Carlson, LaVerda Francis and Richard Blair Scholarship
-- Don Coleman, Neale Chaney Slater Memorial Scholarship
-- Jonathan Crook, William D. Bauer Memorial Scholarship
-- Kyle Dearstine, International Systems Safety Society, Washington D.C. Chapter (ISSSWDC)
-- Rachel Eaby, James C. Mitchell Nursing Scholarship
-- Casey Eide, International Systems Safety Society, Washington D.C. Chapter (ISSSWDC)
-- Melissa Gomez, L.K. Farrall III Memorial Scholarship
-- Jeremy Gott, Veterans Educational Endowment Fund
-- Tikisha Hall, St. Mary's County Health Department Scholarship
-- Alexandra Hashman, Dr. Elaine Ryan/St. Charles Children's Learning Center Scholarship
-- Adrienne Hines, Albert L. Elder, Jr. Family Memorial Scholarship; L.K. Farrall III Memorial Scholarship; and Louis P. Jenkins, Sr. Scholarship
-- Patrick Hoyer, William D. Bauer Memorial Scholarship
-- Michelle Istvan, Clifford J. and Marion L. McAllister Scholarship
-- Nicholas Jovero, Civista Medical Center Scholarship
-- Teonna Keys, L.K. Farrall III Memorial Scholarship, and Helen and Mickey Todd Scholarship
-- Kimberly Kooy, Albert L. Elder, Jr. Family Memorial Scholarship
-- Ashley Lagana, Helen and Mickey Todd Scholarship
-- Pattie Madden, James C. Mitchell Nursing Scholarship
-- Sarah Maynard, L.K. Farrall III Memorial Scholarship
-- Julia Moses, Brock Nikolas Guerrieri Memorial Scholarship
-- Pewu Mulbah, CSM Alumni Scholarship
-- Kathy Nasman, Castles and Foundations Scholarship
-- Kelci Parise, Nu Zeta Omega Scholarship of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
-- Courtney Phipps, Russell Gordon Croft Scholarship
-- Farrah Proctor-Darbo, Mary Croft Ward Scholarship
-- Tara Puliatti, LaVerda Francis and Richard Blair Scholarship
-- Maggie Quade, LaVerda Francis and Richard Blair Scholarship
-- Kenneth Raby, Albert L. Elder, Jr. Family Memorial Scholarship and CSM Alumni Scholarship
-- Erica Rancore, James C. Mitchell Nursing Scholarship
-- Ashley Redfearn, L.K. Farrall III Memorial Scholarship
-- Cecilia Robinson, Castles and Foundations Scholarship
-- Kelley Sampson, Albert L. Elder, Jr. Family Memorial Scholarship
-- Kimberly Sandsbury, Patty Schwier and Norma LaFleur Scholarship
-- Stephanie Scott, Castles and Foundations Scholarship
-- Lenyk Scott, Neale Chaney Slater Memorial Scholarship
-- Jaleesa Seabrooks, Jospeh F. Rice and Mae Irene Fauth Memorial Scholarship
-- Brent Stickel, Mary Croft Ward Scholarship
-- Mary Stiles, Russell Gordon Croft Scholarship
-- Sue Tayag, Castles and Foundations Scholarship; CSM Alumni Scholarship; and
-- Nu Zeta Omega Scholarship of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
-- Kelly Trice, James C. Mitchell Nursing Scholarship
-- Lisa Walker, Gary D. Smith Memorial Scholarship
-- Kaitlyn Weldon, St. Mary's County Health Department Scholarship
-- Debra Williams, Neale Chaney Slater Memorial Scholarship
-- Alex Yuen, William and Vivian King Scholarship
The College of Southern Maryland Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization governed by a corporate board of directors. Established in 1970, the mission of the foundation is to promote academic excellence, growth, progress, and the general welfare of the college. The foundation raises and manages funds, and provides support to strengthen and develop the college, and its objectives.
To create a memorial scholarship, contact the CSM Foundation at 301-934-7649. Providing financial assistance is an important way for donors to work with the college to develop the area's next generation of community leaders, nurses, engineers, truck drivers and members of the community to enhance their skills.
The CSM Online Scholarship Finder is available for the 2010 spring semester. To use CSM's Scholarship Finder visit http://www.csmd.edu/financial/scholarships/.
For information on scholarships and financial aid assistance at CSM, call 301-934-7531 or 301-870-2309, 240-725-5499 or 443-550-6199, Ext. 7531. For information on the CSM Foundation, visit www.csmd.edu/Foundation/.