Giving Back

Department of Education Grant Bolsters Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies Program

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $120,000 through its Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Languages (UISFL) Grant to bolster Hood’s Arabic and Middle Eastern studies program.

The money will fund a project called “Creating Global Citizens of the 21st Century,” which will strengthen the major, minor and certificate in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies, and expose Hood students to the global community locally. This project was critical to foster more graduates in foreign language positions, including in government intelligence.

Faculty will revise and create courses to include perspectives from multiple disciplines. For example, Professor Donald Wright, Ph.D., director of this project, will integrate STEM in a course on cultures of the Middle East to include talks about the impact of climate change on the area, the history and evolution of math and the importance of cybersecurity in diplomatic relations with the Middle East and North Africa region. Some courses will be co-taught by professors from different departments. Professors Paige Eager, Ph.D., and Corey Campion, Ph.D., will be teaching a course together on the history of U.S. foreign relations.

Students will learn about cultural differences and cultural understanding, including nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, class and religion. They will also work with Arabic-speaking immigrants in the community on oral histories.

NSF Grant to Fund STEM Education Scholarships

The National Science Foundation has awarded Hood College $650,000 from its Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program to fund a project called “Interdisciplinary STEM Education and Mentoring for Transitioning to STEM Success.”

This is the first NSF S-STEM scholarship grant awarded to Hood. From the 277 proposals submitted, Hood’s was selected for one of 85 new scholarships in STEM that will be awarded by the NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education this year.

“This is national recognition of the strength of the STEM programs at Hood College,” said Professor Kevin Bennett, Ph.D., who will oversee implementation of the grant.

The funding will support high-achieving students with demonstrated financial need. Throughout the five-year award, this project will fund 12 four-year scholarships and six two-year scholarships for students who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics, computer science or computational science. The four-year scholarships will begin in fall 2019, and the two-year scholarships will start in fall 2021. The scholarships will average $7,500 per academic year.

Program elements include faculty and peer mentoring to assist students as they progress throughout their academic careers, peer-led tutoring, first-year seminar and research methods courses, and a summer transition program to prepare rising juniors (including transfer students) for an increase in rigor as they move to upperdivision course work.

“President Andrea Chapdelaine and Provost Debbie Ricker have a long history of support of the STEM disciplines,” said Bennett. “Without this foundation of commitment to strengthen and grow STEM at Hood College, this grant would not have been successful.”

NEH Grants $100,000 for Humanities Seminar

The National Endowment for the Humanities has granted Hood more than $100,000 for a three-week seminar focused on World War I.

Professors Trevor Dodman, Ph.D., (pictured on right) and Corey Campion, Ph.D., (left) will lead the seminar, called “World War I in History and Literature,” for 16 school teachers and will introduce new ways to teach about the war. It will take place July 8-26, 2019, and secondary education teachers will receive a stipend to travel to Hood and stay on campus.

The program builds on Campion’s and Dodman’s work with Maryland secondary school teachers through Hood’s interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Humanities program, and it will help teachers design lessons consistent with the National Common Core Standards.

Week one will include a field trip to Washington, D.C., to visit World War I memorials including Pershing Park. Week two will feature guest lectures on the history of women and World War I, and new pedagogy practices.

Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. Awards Reading Clinic $18,000

Marlene Grossnickle Young '76, H'14, president of Delaplaine Foundation, Inc., visits with a student during a reading clinic.

Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. has awarded $18,000 to the Summer Reading Clinic to fund scholarships for students and materials for the clinic. Hood’s Summer Reading Clinic has been supported by Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. since 2013.

Hood is partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County and the English Language Learners programs at Waverley Elementary School and Parkway Elementary School to provide scholarships to English Language Learners. The grant also will fund books and other materials for all age ranges and reading levels, and it will help update technology that has been used for past clinics, including iPads and computer software.

Teachers pursuing a Master of Science in Reading Specialization at Hood lead the clinic, which is directed to the reading needs of all school children (K-12). The program gives clinicians the opportunity to see the continuum of reading as they teach children in all grade levels, and it provides children in Frederick an opportunity to improve reading, writing, spelling and word study skills.

“This program is well known throughout the county and has improved the reading skills of hundreds of children,” said Professor Ellen Koitz, Ed.D., director of the clinic. “The reading clinic goes far beyond simply warding off summer remission; rather it accelerates students’ levels of literacy.”

The clinic has been an integral part of the reading specialization master’s program for more than 30 years. This summer, approximately 10 clinicians are expected to participate. The clinic will host 20-25 students at the elementary level with an additional 20 at the middle and high school level.

New Scholarship Benefits Education Majors

Joslin Cook Ruffle ’65 has established the Lynne Reagan Johnson ’65 Scholarship, a fund that will be awarded annually, beginning fall 2019, to a Hood student studying early childhood education and demonstrating academic excellence.

Ruffle (pictured on right) and Johnson (left) attended Hood to pursue their passion of teaching young children, and they both led successful careers in early childhood education, introducing young minds to the power of learning. Their friendship continued for more than 50 years with a mutual respect for each other’s commitment to education.

Johnson passed away in June 2017 after a long battle with cancer, and Ruffle established this scholarship in her memory as a commitment to continue Johnson’s legacy as a model student and educator.

Southworth Scholarship Benefits Psychology Students

The Southworth family has established the Lorene Myers Southworth ’48 Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to one junior or senior student majoring in psychology, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship was established in memory of Lorene (pictured above) by her family: husband George, daughter Lori and son Jeff.

“After my wonderful mother passed away on May 20, 2016, we wanted to create this scholarship because she loved Hood,” said Lori. “She believed her Hood education prepared her to be one of the first two women graduates from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business in 1950 and for her successful career.”

Lorene graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and believed in the Hood liberal arts program. She had life-long Hood friendships and attended many events and reunions.

$1 Million Gift Supplements Chair of Board Scholarships

Cynthia Newby ’67, Hood College trustee, facilitated a gift of $1 million from the Cheryl Kupper Irrevocable Trust. As the executor of this estate, Newby has directed this money to female recipients of the Chair of the Board Scholarship fund.

Hood’s Chair of the Board Scholarship is a highly prestigious scholarship that provides full-tuition awards to academically superior students in each entering class. The second class of Chair of the Board scholars began at Hood this fall (see p. 28). This gift will increase the number of full-tuition scholarships that Hood may award to the next three incoming classes.

“My late friend, Cheryl Kupper, supported women’s higher education in her roles as a college professor of English and an academic publishing executive,” said Newby. “She would be very proud to further Hood’s tradition of educating the brightest students for future leadership roles in our society. Not often in one’s life do you get to do something like this!”

Financial Need Scholarship Nearly Doubles

Elinor “Poppy” F. Herndon McCarty ’60 and William “Bill” A. McCarty (pictured above) have contributed additional funds to the William A. McCarty Jr. & Elinor F. Herndon McCarty ’60 Scholarship, nearly doubling its annual amount. The scholarship was established in 2009 by Poppy and husband Bill for students whose GPA is 3.0 or higher and who demonstrate financial need.

Poppy and Bill reside in Amarillo, Texas, where they are active with the Boy Scouts of America and Kiwanis Club. They have also been active at Bill’s alma mater, Texas A&M University and locally at West Texas A&M University. Poppy was a history major at Hood and met Bill while he was stationed in Germany. They have four children and six grandchildren. Poppy recently celebrated her 80th birthday in San Antonio with her children and Bill and was ecstatic to have her own personal “Hood Hello!” that day.

Hearst Foundations Fund Expansion for Summer Research Institute

The Hearst Foundations granted $100,000 to expand the Summer Research Institute (SRI) program at Hood.

Since 2001, the SRI has offered 186 student/faculty teams the chance to conduct high-impact research in a variety of academic disciplines. Research has confirmed that such high-impact practices with faculty are key predictors of college success and learning, particularly for students from underrepresented groups and students of color.

Many students find it difficult to participate in summer research experiences because of the need for summer employment. To address this challenge, Hood will use resources from this grant to involve more students (up to 13 per summer), and provide an increased stipend of $3,500 per student.

For more information on how to be involved with any of these programs, contact Nancy Gillece at gillece@hood.edu.

BEQUESTS

Jean Righter Bolle ’50

Through their estate, Jean and Ed Bolle provided unrestricted endowment funds, which are being used for experiential learning at Hood. After graduating in 1950 with a degree in political science, Jean worked in Detroit before enrolling in Wayne State Law School. During her time at Hood, Jean organized a boycott to protest and eliminate segregated seating at a local movie theater. Jean was active in her community, volunteering at the Central City Opera Guild, the Symphony Guild, Kent Denver School, Metro Caring and Central Presbyterian Church. In 2001, Jean provided the resources for the renovation of the lobby area of Alumnae Hall. She was honored by Hood in 2010 with its Excellence in Service Award.

Sophia Meredith Libman ’37

Sophia and Frank Libman provided an unrestricted estate gift to Hood. After she graduated in 1937 with a degree in journalism, Sophia completed graduate work at Yale University and at Western Maryland College. She went on to become a freelance artist and was a member of the American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters, Carroll County Arts Council, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Westminster Duplicate Bridge Club and Third Wednesday Invitational Game Bridge Club. In 2000, Frank honored Sophie by establishing the Sophie Meredith Libman NEH Professorship that continues to bring promising scholars in the humanities to Hood.

Jeanette B. Phelps ’59

Miss Phelps left a bequest through her estate to provide support for the Virginia E. Lewis Endowed Chair in Political Science. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1959 and was greatly influenced by the instruction of Virginia E. Lewis, Ph.D. She was part of the first cohort of students who participated in an internship through the College where she was required to volunteer in a political campaign. Following Hood, Miss Phelps worked for American Airlines for 34 years. She enjoyed traveling extensively, cheering on the Orioles, and supporting the arts and organizations for senior citizens.

Martha Knouse Schaeffer ’47

Martha left an unrestricted planned gift to Hood. After graduating with a degree in history, she went on to become a civic leader and volunteer. She was a charter member of the Auxiliary of Carroll County General Hospital, and for many years she volunteered as the chief chaplain’s assistant. Martha also was active on the Hood College Board of Associates, the Women’s Club of Westminster, the Carroll County Branch of American Association of University Women, the Carroll County Board of Social Services, the Maryland Health Systems Agency, the Maryland Health Claims Arbitration Board, and the Emmanuel United Church of Christ Bylaws Committee and Archives.

M. Susan Selby ’74

Through a planned gift, Susan left funding to support the music and French departments at Hood. Susan attended the College before graduating from Towson University with a degree in music. She later earned a certificate in music education from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and spent her career as a private music instructor. Susan was an accomplished musician who enjoyed playing the flute and piano.