College of Southern Maryland bricks honor families, individuals
Bricks placed at La Plata campus honor families, individuals
Walking across the three College of Southern Maryland campuses, anyone — faculty, students and visitors — might look down and see names engraved in brick. But the bricks, which may seem like just red rectangles with black letters, are much more than the pavers of entryways. They are symbols of lasting impacts that have been made by a person, business or family, and a ceremony Sept. 16 honored those being recognized through the placement of these bricks on the La Plata Campus.
CSM President Brad Gottfried opened the ceremony, which was held at the James C. Mitchell Center for Health Technology (HT Building).
“We are here to acknowledge and honor the individuals within the community who have made a difference in the lives of so many,” Gottfried said. “The CSM Brick Program provides a way to memorialize and pay tribute to loved ones and members of the community who are our true champions.”
Bricks are purchased by members of the community for a variety of reasons, according to CSM Foundation Chairwoman Rané Franklin, who explained they may name a loved one who has passed, creating a tribute to the impact the person had on Southern Maryland, or be purchased in honor of someone in the community who is still working to make the region a better place.
Franklin said the ceremony recognizes not just the people whose names are inscribed on the bricks newly placed at the La Plata Campus, but also those who purchased the bricks and believe in the college’s mission of transforming lives.
“It starts with a brick, a scholarship, a room naming or an event sponsorship,” Franklin said. “That generosity and investment today, enriches and impacts our tomorrows.” She then turned the audience’s attention back to Gottfried, who has announced his plans to retire as CSM’s president next year, and his wife, Linda.
“During his 10-plus years as college president, he and Linda have purchased bricks for others. They have established three scholarship funds and, most recently, they have pledged $110,000 toward our current $10-million ‘Make An Impact Campaign’,” Franklin said. “Dr. Gottfried and Linda, you have established quite a legacy.”
Bricks that were laid in memory include the following names:
Howard Franklin Alger, Richard Lee Bolton, John Calhoon, Charles R. Chapman Jr., Jim and Fern Cleary and Paula Cleary Locher, Terri Ann Edwards, Bernice Gottfried, David Michael Krankowski, Reuben Frederick Lilly Sr., Esther Luyster, Ernest “Ernie” A. Schlaefli, Mary I. Shasho, Ann Gore Spencer, Cloyce “Clo” Spinks, Oreta Stinson and Walter “Duke” Ward.
Bricks that were laid in honor of someone include the following names:
Patrick L. Allen; Aubel Family of Richard, Stacie, Brandon and Jason; Professor Rex Bishop; Paige Blankenship; Barbara Bowling, Frederic J. Moore and George M. Bowling IV; Buckler Family; Teirra M. Butler; Lyman R. Comey and Laura Sue Comey; Linda Sullivan Cox; James F. Di Misa; Professor James Fehr; Charles and Sylvia Ferguson; Professor Bruce Fried;
Professor Tom Gorecki; Carolyn and Bill Graham; Bob and Jann Healy; Help Desk; David, Laura and Kathryn Hupp; IMT Staff; Frank and Susan Kruszka; Teresa M. Kruszka; Lisa M. Leandre; The Library; Steven and Brenda Lowe; Joan Middleton; Professor Bill Morton; Deborah Sullivan Payne; Michael W. Payne; Shelby L. Payne; Proctor Family, Avery and Debra; Zauriel D. Proctor; Quattlebaum Family and Thomas Quattlebaum; Thomas Carl and Iris Hope Ronaldi, Jr.; Joan Shelley; Shymansky Lawman Family; Southern Maryland Studies Center; Pamela S. Starkey; Marshall R. Sullivan Jr.; John, Anita and Erik Warnes; and John and Roberta Wearmouth.
The bricks are purchased for $200 each from the CSM Foundation, and the funds are directed to the college’s general scholarship fund. For information on the brick program, go to impact.csmd.edu or contact the Development Department at 301-934-7604.