Advance

This spring semester, I have the privilege of reflecting on my first full year as UMSON’s associate dean for development and alumni relations. It’s a job filled with challenges, opportunities, and infinite possibilities, and it truly is my honor to serve the School in this role. I can honestly say that I look back with pride, see the potential in the present, and feel excitement for the future.

My reflections on UMSON contain many constants, like a fantastic team, inspiring students, and dedicated alumni. But there is one constant that is about to change – Dean Kirschling has announced her retirement after more than a decade of visionary leadership. I remember the dean’s first days at UMSON in 2013, and it’s been a rewarding experience to collaborate with her as she has strived to achieve her legacy: making UMSON a better place to learn and work.

Increasing scholarship support for our students is one of the ways Dean Kirschling has changed UMSON for the better. With her leadership, we secured funding for 97 new endowments and are able to provide financial support to an ever-growing number of students. Therefore, it seems only fitting that we create a scholarship honoring her leadership and legacy to commemorate her retirement.

Today, I invite you to celebrate UMSON’s past, present, and future with a gift to the Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship will ensure that Dean Kirschling’s steadfast support of nursing education will continue in perpetuity. You can make a gift online at nursing.umaryland.edu/kirschlingscholarship or through the mail using the envelope included in this issue.

As I look to the future, I will continue to think of ways we can support the School, its students, and its mission. Whether you choose to support the Kirschling Scholarship or other important programs, your commitment to UMSON is making a positive impact every day. As you look to your future, I hope it continues to include UMSON.

Each year, our Honor Roll of donors, included in this magazine, recognizes the alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends who have so generously supported the School. We can’t say it enough: We appreciate you!

Online Giving to UMSON is Now Even Easier!

If your preferred way of making a gift to UMSON is online, you may have noticed a big change (and improvement!) to our online giving site. Our new platform, GiveCampus, offers:

• enhanced searchability: it’s easier to find any specific account, scholarship, or endowment

• a streamlined checkout process

• new ways to give, such as Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay; of course, you can also make your gift online using a credit card, as you were able to before

• easy set-up for a recurring gift: this is a great way to give automatically that works with your budget and schedule and helps ensure a steady source for funding for UMSON.

This new site enables you to support UMSON quickly and securely. Visit today at www. nursing.umaryland.edu/give or scan this QR code:

Stacey M. Conrad

Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations sconrad@umaryland.edu 410-706-6504