Family members of the late Holli Hempel White, from left, her mother Toni Morse, daughter, Rebecca White and husband Richard White, depart the CSM Memorial and Honorary Bricklaying Ceremony held at the La Plata Campus in September after viewing the brick placed in her memory. (Submitted photo)
LA PLATA, Md. (November 2, 2011)—Two brick entrances on the College of Southern Maryland La Plata Campus honor individuals with tributes for their service to the college and its students. The CSM Foundation, honorees, their friends and families gathered on the west entrance of the James C. Mitchell Center for Health Technology Building Sept. 22, for words of gratitude and a commemorative brick placed just outside the building entrance. Given in memoriam or as a tribute to service, the bricks represent the unshakeable foundation of support honorees have provided to CSM students.
“The bricks installed today acknowledge and honor the individuals within the CSM community who have made a difference,” said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried. “The Honorary Brick Program provides both a way to memorialize and pay tribute to loved ones and members of the Southern Maryland community that are our true champions. The bricks are purchased by family members and friends.”
CSM Vice President of Advancement Michelle Goodwin recognized her mother Anna Mae Ziencik Hess with a brick to honor her memory and passion for learning. At age 41, Hess returned to college, earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and established her own accounting service which she operated for 25 years. A scholarship for returning adult students has been established in her name.
CSM alum from the class of 1969 Donald Cox was honored with a memorial brick for his 10 years of service on the CSM Foundation Board of Directors, two as its chair. Cox established two scholarship endowments that have grown to more than $257,000.
Additional bricks placed in memory included Thomas and Verna Posey, Neale Chaney Slater, Holli Hempel White and C. Emmitt Woodley. Bricks placed in tribute for service and support recognized Marge Mayer, Paula Martino, Vince and Evie Hungerford, Sally Grainger, Carrie Polk, Cindy Bowling, John McWilliams and Michael Besche. Gottfried and his wife Linda Gottfried received a tribute brick for her service to the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Region and his service to the college.
The CSM Honorary Brick Program is a lasting celebration of those who have a special connection to CSM and the Southern Maryland community. As a tribute to a family member, a friend or to represent a special occasion, the brick is inscribed and placed among other honorary bricks. Bricks are available for $100 and provide financial support to the college and its mission. For information on the program, visit www.csmd.edu/Foundation.
Source: CSM