A Message from President Tuajuanda C. Jordan
Dear St. Mary’s College Community,
As we chart a bold course for the future of our institution, we recognize our role and responsibility as The National Public Honors College. In an era when the value of a liberal arts education is being questioned, we must be forward-thinking and deliberate about preparing our students to thrive as responsible and thoughtful citizens and leaders.
Our LEAD (Learning Through Experiential and Applied Discovery) Initiative is our compass, empowering our students to chart their course with purpose and equipping them with versatile skills demanded by a dynamic landscape. It blends an honors education seamlessly with professional training, providing them with the tools and experiences to navigate the intricate currents of the modern world. It embodies “The St. Mary’s Way”—a commitment to disciplined learning, service, caring, and shaping values for a changing world.
To fully implement all that the LEAD Initiative can offer, we are officially announcing today a $20 million comprehensive fundraising campaign called “Taking the LEAD.” The campaign anchors our Rising Tide 202326 strategic plan, creating an innovative academic identity, fostering inclusivity, and connecting our students with the community.
Taking the LEAD has rapidly gained momentum thanks to the generous donors who have already contributed to the campaign in its quiet phase. Their unwavering belief in our vision and commitment to our students have propelled us forward. Their generosity is laying the foundation for the transformative change we strive for, and we are immensely grateful for their support.
To fully implement all that LEAD can offer, we must act now. By supporting the Taking the LEAD Campaign, you seize the opportunity to be at the helm of change—directing the course of education, enriching lives, and leaving a legacy that will stand as a testament to your belief in the power of learning.
We invite you to join us in Taking the LEAD, propelling St. Mary’s College of Maryland forward, and navigating toward a brighter future for generations to come. Thank you for helping us embark on this phenomenal journey.
Tuajuanda C. Jordan, PhD President, St. Mary’s College of MarylandSCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9:30 A.M. – 10:45 A.M.
William E. Seale Rowing
Center Dedication
Teddy Turner Waterfront
By invitation only
11:40 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
State of the College
Dodge Performing Arts Center Auditorium
12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Keep Up the Momentum
Crescent Green
Campus-wide reception
5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
VIP Donor Reception
Dodge Performing Arts Center Recital Hall
By invitation only
7:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
Kelly Bell Band Concert
Dodge Performing Arts Center Auditorium
WILLIAM E. SEALE ROWING CENTER DEDICATION
9:30 - 10:45 A.M.
Teddy Turner Waterfront
St. Mary’s College of Maryland is fortunate to have a friend like William E. Seale.
An economist and professor emeritus of finance at George Washington University, Seale is a partner in the ProFunds Group and was the owner of Financial Markets Group Inc. Now mostly retired, Seale and his spouse, Marguerite Pelissier, split their time between Annapolis, Maryland and Key Largo, Florida. Seale is an active pilot who owns several airplanes and holds a private pilot certificate with instrument and seaplane ratings.
He has lent considerable expertise to St. Mary’s College of Maryland from his career experiences, which include being a longtime member of the Washington government and business community and five-year term as a commissioner on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He has been a valued advocate, proponent, adviser, mentor and contributor to the College’s vision and mission. He served on the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Foundation Board of Directors from 2012 to 2015. From 2019 to 2023, he served on the College’s Board of Trustees.
His generosity to St. Mary’s College has made an impact on curricular and co-curricular activities.
In 2012, he donated his sailboat “Riptide” to the waterfront program. In 2017, he provided the funding to purchase an 8-person rowing shell for the fledgling varsity rowing team, then in its second year. He dubbed the vessel “President Tuajuanda C. Jordan.”
He also ignited the College’s $2.5M Capital Campaign Challenge with the first gift; provided support for the St. Mary’s Undergraduate Research Fellows program; and established the William Seale Teaching and Learning Fund. He later established the President’s Vision Fund; the Seale Scholarship Fund; and the William Seale Professor of Business Fund.
In 2020, Seale provided funding to cover enhancements to the existing track at the Jamie L. Roberts Stadium. The enhancements enabled it to become a varsity venue for track and field competition.
STATE OF THE COLLEGE
PRESENTED BY PRESIDENT JORDAN
11:40 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Dodge Performing Arts Center Auditorium
... with the official announcement of the Taking the LEAD Campaign.
STRATEGIC PLAN: WWW.SMCM.EDU/ PRESIDENT/ STRATEGIC-PLAN/
Students,
KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM
SNACKS GAMES PRIZES
Faculty, Staff Join President Jordan after the State of the College for
A campus-wide reception
TO THOSE WHO ARE LEADING THE WAY, Thank you!
Since the quiet phase of the College’s Taking the LEAD Campaign began on July 1, 2020, we have raised over $13.5 million toward a goal of $20 million. Over 100 donors contributed major gifts of $10,000 and above; their gifts were made to the LEAD Fund and to areas covered under the LEAD Initiative. Among our donors who committed $100,000 or more, here is a sampling of how they are leading the way.
In addition to creating a scholarship fund, Nancy Dodge made the biggest gift in the College’s history to name the Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center. Don Stabile made two significant commitments for scholarship, one to ignite the quiet phase of the campaign and one to ignite the public phase. Bill Seale answered the call multiple times, providing funds to enhance the track and jumpstart a new business administration program. Lex Birney and John Wobensmith ’93 each supported the marine science program – the retrofit of a research vessel and the renovation of a lab respectively. Judy Fillius ’79, Scott Raspa ’86, John Bell ’95 and Paula Collins gave to the critical LEAD Fund that supports LEAD priorities noted in the strategic plan. Dallas Dean ’60 and Donna West ’76 supported their named scholarships. Cindy Broyles ’79 gave to the LEAD Fund and to help finish the Landers Challenge and receive a $1 million match from the Landers Trust. Beth and Jeff Byrd established the Byrd Seahawk Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) funds. The Patuxent Partnership, the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, and the Kahlert Foundation made significant contributions for programming and equipment. Bonnie Green ’74 gave to ensure that we had the momentum to publicly launch Taking the LEAD today. (You will find the full list of leadership donors on our campaign webpage.)
We are making transformative changes, but there is more to do and we need your support.
Alumni, faculty and staff, students and families, friends, and the community at large, we are glad that you are a part of the public launch of the campaign and hope you enjoy the Kelly Bell Band – our treat to you. To help us continue to make an impact on our students and our community, we hope you will consider St. Mary’s College – The National Public Honors College – more than worthy of a charitable donation.
LEARN MORE: GO.SMCM.EDU/ TAKING-THE-LEAD GIVE TODAY: WWW.SMCM.EDU/GIVE
KELLY BELL BAND CONCERT
7:00 - 8:30 P.M.
Dodge Performing Arts Center Auditorium
Originally formed as the back-up band for rock and roll pioneer, Bo Diddley, the Kelly Bell Band has been touring the world ever since, entertaining fans in Japan, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cuba, Germany and more. The band has won two prestigious Maryland Music Awards, including voted “Best Blues Band” in the Mid-Atlantic Region (12 years in a row), and was recently named “Best Band” by Baltimore Style magazine. Their debut album, “Phat Blues Music” remains one of the best-selling releases in Mid-Atlantic region history. Kelly Bell, known as ‘The Bluesman’, is joined by vocalist Rahsaan “Wordslave” Eldridge, Ryan Fowler and Eric Robinson (guitar), Frankie Hernandez (bass), John Robert Buell (drums) and Dane Paul Russell (harmonica).
College President
Tuajuanda C. Jordan, PhD
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
as of July 1, 2023
Chair
Susan L. Dyer
Vice-Chair
Paula J. Collins
Treasurer
John C. Wobensmith ’93
Secretary
Nicolas T. Abrams ’99
Members
Carlos J. Alcazar
Anirban Basu
John Bell ’95
Arthur “Lex” Birney
Peter J. Bruns, PhD
Donald R. Bryan ’73
Peg Duchesne ’77
Judith M. Fillius ’79
Katharine A. Fritz ’04 (Alumni Association)
Elizabeth B. Graves ’95
Kristen Greenaway
Gail M. Harmon
Sven E. Holmes
Talib A. Horne ’93
Steny H. Hoyer
Kimberly B. Kelley
Jesse J. Price ’92
Melanie Jubb Rosalez ’92
Aaron N. Tomarchio ’96 (HSMC)
Danielle E. Troyan ’92
Raymond J. Wernecke
Isabella A. Woel-Popovich ’24 (Student Trustee)
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
as of July 1, 2023
President
Bonnie M. Green ’74
Vice President
Paul R. Schultheis ’98
Treasurer
Christopher D. Holt ’86
Secretary
Edward J. Sirianno ’82
Members
Brittany Toscano Gore ’08
Thomasina Hiers ’97
Michael P. O’Brien ’68
Susan G. Paul
Bluford H. Putnam, PhD
R. Scott Raspa ’86
Daniel J. Schiffman ’91
Nicole L. West
Tuajuanda C. Jordan, PhD, ex officio
Carolyn Curry, executive director
CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE
Helen Mattingly Wernecke
Chair, Southern Maryland
Community Leader
John Bell ’95
Trustee
Cindy Broyles ’79
Trustee Emerita
Donald R. Bryan ’73
Trustee
Elizabeth A. Byrd
Honorary Alumna
Jeffrey J. Byrd, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Laraine M. Glidden, PhD
Professor Emerita
Thomasina Hiers ’97
Foundation Director
R. Scott Raspa ’86
Foundation Director
Donald R. Stabile, PhD
Professor of the College
Donna L. West ’76
past Alumni Association President
EX-OFFICIO
Tuajuanda C. Jordan, PhD
President
Gail M. Harmon
Trustee & Chair of the Institutional Advancement Committee
Bonnie M. Green ’74
Foundation President
Carolyn Curry
Foundation Executive Director, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
TAKING THE LEAD: GO.SMCM.EDU/ TAKING-THE-LEAD
FALL 2023 EVENTS
Featuring renowned public figures, acclaimed performers and local favorites, there’s something for everyone within reach here in Southern Maryland. Join us in our intimate and acoustically optimized auditorium for a world-class experience.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 30
THURSDAY, OCT. 12
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25
ALEXANDRIA SINGERS | 7:00 P.M.
DC Metro area’s premier pops chorus
ARTRAGEOUS | 7:00 P.M.
High-energy electrifying art & music circus
JELANI COBB | 7:00 P.M.
Historian and Peabody Awardwinning journalist
FRIDAY, OCT. 27
SMCM ORCHESTRA | 7:00 P.M.
Our own students led by Professor Jeffrey Silberschlag
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
FRIDAY, NOV. 3
COSMIC SYMPHONY | 3:00 P.M.
Southern Maryland’s community orchestra
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK | 7:00 P.M.
Grammy Award®-nominated female a cappella vocal quartet
LEARN MORE: WWW.SMCM.EDU/ DODGEEVENTS
This is a paid admission event. All events, free and paid admission, require tickets through the website.