Council Member Makes Deep Commitment to Maryland, Relishes Sweet Rewards
"I was there, taking pictures and cheering her on," says Dennis Gurtz '68, M.B.A. '72 of his wife Carolyn '70 at her winning the grand prize in the 43rd Pillsbury Bake-Off in April. A member of the Colonnade Society Council, Dennis treated co-members to his wife's million-dollar Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies at a recent council meeting. But the Gurtzes have been involved with Maryland even longer than Carolyn has been entering baking contests. Smith School and College of Education supporters, the couple says, "The little bit of money that we gave seemed to go a long way—especially at the beginning." Dennis has seen the culture of fundraising at Maryland grow, culminating in the monumental $1 billion Great Expectations campaign. He and Carolyn helped to build the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, naming the "Victory Song" in the center's Maryland Club. Terrapin Club members and football fans, the Gurtzes can be found tailgating with friends they made on campus 40 years ago. For this reason and more, Dennis gives back to Maryland by donating his time as a member of the council and funding initiatives like the Terp For Life Fund, which supports the Libraries' University Archives. His Maryland education was special because "you got to find out how things work in a big institution," he says. "Then, you go out into the world, an even bigger institution." And, you're ready. Are you interested in furthering your connection with Maryland? Contact Deb Rhebergen, director of the Colonnade Society at drheberg@umd.edu or 301.405.4630.

Great Expectations Exceeds Halfway Mark
Hitting the $535 million mark this summer, alumni and friends have invested more than a half a billion dollars in our $1 billion campaign. Support is creating a new reality for students and faculty who will use scholarships, technology, innovative programming and top-tier facilities to make Maryland synonymous with excellence in higher education. Read more about the latest campaign news and learn how you can help Maryland achieve its great expectations.

University Senate Approves 10-Year Plan
In May, the University of Maryland Senate approved a strategic plan for the state's flagship university. The new 10-year plan provides a roadmap for raising Maryland's rank among world-class universities and centers around four areas: attracting Maryland's and the world's exceptional students; becoming an international center; creating a vibrant, appealing community surrounding the campus; and strengthening the state's ability to compete in a global economic environment.

Journalism School Breaks Ground on New Building
On May 22, the Philip Merrill College of Journalism broke ground on the $30 million John S. and James L. Knight Hall. Slated for completion in 2009, the college's new home will join all of its programs and centers under one roof for the first time in years.

Council Member Is for the Bees:
Buzz on Colony Collapse Research at Maryland
For Colonnade Council member Denis Franks M.D., a hobby has become a passion. A beekeeping course he took a decade ago sparked Denis' apiary interest; and he has kept bees ever since. This spring, however, his hive was suddenly empty. With no clues as to what caused the demise of Denis' hive, the problem of Colony Collapse hit home. Across the country bee populations are disappearing, threatening America's food supply, as one-third of our agricultural crops is pollinated by bees. That's $15 billion in crops each year. One major threat is Colony Collapse Disorder, which has been reported in more than 35 states. To do his part for the bees, Denis, with help from the state's chief apiarist, has joined the College of Chemical and Life Sciences in the hopes of engaging fellow Maryland family bee keepers. Denis aims to raise $1 million to support a chair in the college to research Colony Collapse Disorder and the threats to bee populations in the state, region and nation. To do your part, or for more information, meet Denis and visit the Central Maryland Beekeepers Association's exhibit at the Maryland State Fair, which run August 22 - September 1. Want to support Maryland researchers? Contact Deb Rhebergen, director of the Colonnade Society. Want to attract buzzing buddies to your own backyard? Check out these tips …

In Case You Could Not Join Us

Colonnade Society Members Help Make Maryland Day and Donor Appreciation 2008
Maryland Day was “fabulous,” says Audrey Chang, a Colonnade Society member, who attended the festivities on April 26 with her 11 year-old son. In addition to taking part in the fun, which included 425 events around campus, Audrey and several other members of the Colonnade Society volunteered at the Colonnade Society recognition table. Council member Tom Fong encouraged Audrey to reconnect with Maryland by handing out tokens of appreciation and connecting with society members at the table located at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center. “Once a Terp, always a Terp,” says Audrey, who enjoyed viewing Maryland through the eyes of an alumna, a Colonnade Society member and now a parent of a Terp-to-be. Her daughter will be a freshman in the fall. Touted as the best Maryland Day ever, 8,700 faculty, student and staff volunteers made the day special for 75,000 guests. Colonnade Society members are encouraged to join in any way they can and get reacquainted with Alma Mater—all year long. Mark your calendars for next year’s Maryland Day, April 25, 2009! Click here to view Maryland Day photos.

'Start Your Engines!' Revs Interest in Engineering
The University of Maryland’s Colonnade Society and the A. James Clark School of Engineering hosted an event highlighting Terps Racing on April 6, 2008 at the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building. Guests mingled with fellow members, alumni and friends and enjoyed presentations by industry experts including Jay Gerst from Dale Earnhardt Inc. Student-built vehicle demonstrations, from the 1st place award-winning Maryland student organization that builds and races Formula and Baja race cars for competitions, inspired the race fan in every guest. Click here to view photos from the event.

THANK YOU
On behalf of President Mote, all the deans and university leaders, THANK YOU for supporting Maryland. It’s because of generous alumni and friends like you, who lead the Maryland family with your charitable giving, that Maryland continues to stand head and shells above the rest!

Co-Chairs:
Margaret M. Swallow ’75 Daniel F. Rice ’91

Members:
John H. Axley III ’89
Gloria Aparicio Blackwell ’92
Beverly Brown
Brad Cohen ’95, ’99, ’00
Margo S. Cohen ’00
John P. Corderman ’65
Arnold D. Dashoff ’67
Tom Fong ’83
Denis Franks ’73
Will Godwin ’63
Dennis M. Gurtz ’68, ’72
Bill Leasure ’66
Barry N. Shufeld ’69
Russell E. Strand ’67
Anne Turkos
Paul S. Weller Jr. ’60
Tom Wilkinson ’85

DID YOU KNOW…That all who contribute $1,000 or more annually to any area of the University of Maryland are automatically granted membership to the Colonnade Society?

ANNOUNCING…updated Colonnade Society lapel pins. Designs correspond to different giving levels and will debut in September. Look for the pins on the lapels of your best-dressed friends!

MEMBERSHIP to the Colonnade Society is the University of Maryland’s way of thanking alumni and friends for their generosity. Members can expect to enjoy another year of invitations to exclusive campus events, members-only gifts and personal attention!



Stay tuned to our Web site over the summer and fall for 2008-2009 Colonnade events.


Through August 22 SPUDS!
University Libraries Celebrates the International Year of the Potato. Visit the displays at libraries around campus.

August - November Terrapin Football
September kicks off seven home games for the 2008 season.

October 24 - 25 Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
Classes of 1958 and 1968—and Emeriti Terps join other treasured alumni this coming fall. Honor Golden Terps at the Golden Terp Brunch featuring a medallion ceremony; enjoy an evening social with Ruby Terps; cheer the Terps at the Oct. 25 Homecoming game. To join a reunion committee, contact Cheryl Talbert Smith at smithche@umd.edu or 301.405.4396.

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