Monday, May 17, 2010
PRINCESS ANNE, MD-May 17, 2010-The Hazel Scholars Luncheon gave students, faculty and administrators the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Richard F. Hazel, who donated a $3 million gift to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore nearly six years ago.
The donation allowed UMES to establish the Richard F. Hazel Scholarship program, which grants tuition scholarships to education majors studying at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
“We are so thankful for the support,” said UMES President Thelma B. Thompson, during the fourth annual luncheon. “Now, students can focus on assignments and home duties instead of worrying about the money.”
The Eastern Shore philanthropist and former president of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Salisbury made the largest private gift on record to one of Maryland’s historically black colleges and universities in support of the UMES Teacher Education Program.
In recognition of his contribution to UMES and his lifelong commitment to his community, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents approved the naming of the university’s $30 million state-funded education, social science and health science building, Hazel Hall, in his honor.
Richard F. Hazel Scholars are chosen from a pool of high school students planning to major in education. At both undergraduate and graduate levels, full tuition scholarships are awarded to students who meet the academic criteria with priority given to residents of the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia and Sussex County, Del.
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Candice Evans, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-6669, caevans1@umes.edu
Gail Stephens, assistant director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-7580, gcstephens@umes.edu.
Photo caption:
Dr. Karen Verbeke (pictured at center), chair, Department of Education, UMES; Dr. Thelma B. Thompson (pictured at center right), president, UMES; and Dr. Rita Lamb (pictured at center left), interim dean, School of Arts and Professions, acting director, UMES Honors Program; are surrounded by the Hazel Scholars at UMES following the annual luncheon.
