On His Legacy of Building Futures
Community Raises More Than $111,000 to Support New Scholarship in Gottfried’s Honor
More than 300 supporters of the College of Southern Maryland gathered on June 3 to celebrate CSM’s President Dr. Brad Gottfried’s 11-year tenure as he prepares to retire at the end of this month. The “Celebrating a Career, Building Futures” event was held at the Center for Trades and Energy Training on the newly dedicated CSM Regional Hughesville Campus, one of Gottfried’s most recent visions realized.
“Dr. Gottfried…. As we look back over the past 11 years, we realize the impact you have had on our students and our community. I hope this turn out demonstrates how much our community appreciates you and will miss you,” said CSM Foundation Vice Chair Nancy Hempstead, who emceed the celebration.
“Brad, on behalf of the trustees and as the liaison to the CSM Foundation, we express our gratitude for your transforming leadership in building relationships and increasing the college’s resources so that we are affordable, accessible and relevant.” said CSM Board of Trustees Vice Chair Ted Harwood.
Speakers noted Gottfried’s leadership in opening new college facilities, expanding both community partnerships and college programs, and raising funds for scholarships and other college needs before offering a toast to both Gottfried and his wife, Linda.
“The celebration was in recognition of Dr. Gottfried’s 11 years of leadership and accomplishments, but was also focused on funding the future,” said CSM Vice President of Advancement Michelle Goodwin. “The foundation garnered 86 sponsors and shows of supports and raised funds through ticket and raffle sales — for a total of $111,250 — and we still have checks arriving and online donations coming in after the event.” Funds will go toward the new Gottfried Building Futures Scholarship supporting workforce training students in the areas of business, construction and skilled trades, cybersecurity/IT, healthcare, hospitality and transportation.
“Students who pursue these workforce development (non-credit) programs do not generally have access to government grants, but their skills are desperately needed in the workforce. As a result, many citizens are denied an education because of the cost,” Dr. Brad Gottfried said. “The Gottfried Building Futures Scholarship will go a long way toward addressing this issue in a very positive way. I am especially grateful to our college partners who have provided assistance to these students in the past and who are contributing to this new scholarship fund.” The funds raised that evening also help meet the foundation’s multi-year $10 million IMPACT campaign goal, bringing the total to $8.4 million.
This event was made possible by the overwhelming support from the community and these generous sponsors: (Supervisor level) ProFlex Physical Therapy and (Project Manager level) Barbara C. Scotland, owner, BCS Properties LLCs; Community Bank of the Chesapeake; SMECO; and Walter and Jane Grove.
Foreman level sponsors: Chesapeake-Potomac Healthcare Alliance, Christine Wray and John Felicitas, Dr. Daniel Mosser, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, Evie and Vince Hungerford, Hughesville Business & Civic Alliance, Miles & Stockbridge P.C., Scheibel Construction, Shah Associates and Southern Maryland Women’s League.
Journeyperson level sponsors: Bailey’s Party Rentals and Bailey’s Catering; BB&T; Bob and Birdie Shannon; Burch Oil Co, Inc.; CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services, Inc.; Charles County Department of Economic Development; Coldwell Banker Jay Lilly Real Estate; Comcast; Cross, Wood & Wynkoop Insurance; Dr. Stephen Peters; Glen and Barbara Ives; Grimm + Parker Architects; Leadership Southern Maryland; Marianne Harms; Mason Investment Advisory Services, Inc.; Nancy Hempstead; Rene Cunningham and Gerry Van De Velde; Sneade’s Ace Home Center, Inc.; Steve and Eileen Bildman; Valentines Delight Farms, LLC; Vyalex Management Solutions; Waldorf Glass; and Washington Gas a WGL Company.
Apprentice level sponsors: 3RGI Rapid Response Research Group, Inc.; Chelsea Brown and Erika Abell; Chris Rush and Mark Posten; Chuck and Kim Rosenfield; County First Bank; Crossroads of Hughesville Garden Club; Current Electrical Construction; Dixie Miller and Jim Ritter; Eileen Abel and Bill Luyster; Ellen Flowers-Fields; George and Dorothea Smith; Helen Heier; James and Sharon Buckler; Just·Tech; Kim and Greg Yellman; Longleaf Home Improvements, Joe DiNatale Jr.; Mary and Warren Krug; Murray, Wamsley & Schrader, LLC, Certified Public Accountants; R. Reeves; Sharp’s Contracting, LLC; Shasho Consulting P.A. Commercial Real Estate; Southern Maryland Association of REALTORS; Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce, Inc.; Taylor Gas Company; The Patuxent Partnership; Tommy Luginbill; and W.M. Davis, Inc.
For information on giving opportunities for this scholarship fund or others at the CSM Foundation, visit http://foundation.csmd.edu/giving/index.html or call 301-934-7649.
For those wishing to offer farewell wishes for Gottfried on his retirement, please visit www.csmd.edu/GottfriedFarewell. Friends of the college are invited to a farewell reception for President Gottfried 5-7 p.m. June 29 at the La Plata Campus Courtyard. There will be music and a cash bar.