Nominations, please

The Sun is asking readers to suggest those who have contributed the most to the state for induction to its Business and Civic Hall of Fame

Last year, The Sun launched a new effort to recognize those who have done the most over their careers to make Maryland a better place. We honored a diverse group of men and women who have spent their lives working to improve this community. Now we’re looking for our second group of extraordinary individuals to induct into The Baltimore Sun’s Business and Civic Hall of Fame, and we need your help.

Our goal is to identify people at or near the end of their careers whose accomplishments should serve as an inspiration to all those who seek to advance the common good. We are looking for people who have made transformational change in diverse spheres — business, government, education, science, health, civic life and the arts — and whose public lives have been firmly rooted in Maryland. Intended as a complement to our annual Marylander of the Year award, this honor recognizes recipients’ lifelong contributions.

We will consider nominations from the public and from The Sun’s Business and Civic Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which will consist of The Sun’s executive team and editorial board and a panel of prominent community leaders. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 19. Please include a brief description of your nominee’s accomplishments and background and the reasons why you believe he or she merits consideration. Nominations may be sent to talkback@baltimoresun.com; include “Hall of Fame” in the subject line.

We will select this year’s inductees in February, and the winners will be announced in early March. In June, The Sun will publish a special section profiling the honorees and host an event celebrating their achievements.

To inspire you, here’s a list of last year’s inductees: former Mercy Medical Center CEO Sister Helen Amos; attorney Peter G. Angelos; former congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley; philanthropists Eddie and Sylvia Brown; former state superintendent Nancy Grasmick; businessman and former state senator Frank Kelly Jr.; former T. Rowe Price CEO James A.C. Kennedy; Legg Mason founder Raymond A. “Chip” Mason; philanthropist Robert Meyerhoff; baker and developer John Paterakis Sr.; and developer Theo C. Rodgers.