(St. Mary\u2019s City, MD) June 3, 2013\u2014St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland\u2019s President Joseph R. Urgo announces the receipt of a one million dollar commitment from philanthropists Eveline and William P. Roberts, III. The Roberts Family Financial Aid Endowment is a need-based scholarship fund that will provide annual support to academically talented students attending St. Mary\u2019s College.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are deeply appreciative of the Roberts family commitment,\u201d said President Urgo. \u201cSt. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland has a historic mission to make an academically rigorous program affordable. The Roberts\u2019 generosity is mission-centered and serves as a tremendous example of the type of public-private partnerships we seek.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bob and Eveline Roberts, who reside in Rockville, Md., are parents of Jamie Roberts, graduate of the St. Mary\u2019s College class of 2011 with a degree in economics and a minor in math. Jamie received the Presidential Merit Award each of her four years at St. Mary\u2019s, and was selected as the college\u2019s 2011 Female Athlete of the Year for her participation on the varsity soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams. The Roberts supported the college\u2019s Emergency Assistance Fund during Jamie\u2019s tenure on campus. The fund benefitted students struggling with extreme financial difficulties as a result of the 2008 economic downturn. The Roberts and numerous other donors made it possible for hundreds of students to remain in college.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am pleased we are able to assist St. Mary\u2019s in its quest to reach out to excellent students who would otherwise not be able to afford the unique experience at St. Mary\u2019s,\u201d said Bob Roberts. Eveline Roberts added, \u201cThis gift to St. Mary\u2019s will enable numerous students to have the educational and athletic opportunities our daughter Jamie had.\u201d<\/p>\n
“A St. Mary\u2019s liberal arts education prepares its students for future success in a rapidly changing and interconnected world,” said Pat Goldsmith, dean of admissions. “An investment in our students is also an investment in our graduates who, like Jamie, will make a positive impact on every community in which they live and work.\u201d Jamie is fulfilling her passion by working as an assistant basketball coach at Catholic University.<\/p>\n
The Roberts family commitment is part of a comprehensive initiative by St. Mary\u2019s College to attract new resources for student financial aid and academic programs. In addition to the Roberts\u2019 commitment, a member of the St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland Board of Trustees, who chooses to remain anonymous, recently committed $250,000 in support of faculty curricular innovation. These funds are designed to assist faculty members as they develop innovative courses and academic programs, and to provide funding for faculty professional development and research opportunities.<\/p>\n
Dean of Faculty Beth Rushing commented, \u201cWe are so grateful to this board member, whose dedication to the mission of the college will allow us to continually improve our teaching and research enterprises. This faculty support enhances the College\u2019s ability to provide the best possible educational experience for St. Mary\u2019s College students.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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