Community Toasts CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried On His Legacy of Building Futures

Community offers toast to Gottfrieds
CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried's leadership in opening new college facilities, expanding both community partnerships and college programs, and raising funds for scholarships and other college needs was touted by speakers at the "Celebrating A Career, Building Futures" event June 3. The remarks culminated in those attending offering a toast to both Gottfried and his wife, Linda.
Dr Gottfried and Linda Gottfried
Participants at “Celebrating a Career, Building Futures” watch a video reflecting CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried’s impact during his 11 years at the college.

Community Raises More Than $111,000 to Support New Scholarship in Gottfried’s Honor

More than 300 supporters of the College of Southern Maryland gathered on June 3 to celebrate CSM’s President Dr. Brad Gottfried’s 11-year tenure as he prepares to retire at the end of this month. The “Celebrating a Career, Building Futures” event was held at the Center for Trades and Energy Training on the newly dedicated CSM Regional Hughesville Campus, one of Gottfried’s most recent visions realized.

“Dr. Gottfried…. As we look back over the past 11 years, we realize the Impact you have had on our students and our community. I hope this turnout demonstrates how much our community appreciates you and will miss you,” said CSM Foundation Vice Chair Nancy Hempstead, who emceed the celebration.

“Brad, on behalf of the trustees and as the liaison to the CSM Foundation, we express our gratitude for your transforming leadership in building relationships and increasing the college’s resources so that we are affordable, accessible and relevant,” said CSM Board of Trustees Vice Chair Ted Harwood.

Community offers toast to Gottfrieds
CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried’s leadership in opening new college facilities, expanding both community partnerships and college programs, and raising funds for scholarships and other college needs was touted by speakers at the “Celebrating A Career, Building Futures” event June 3. The remarks culminated in those attending offering a toast to both Gottfried and his wife, Linda.

Speakers noted Gottfried’s leadership in opening new college facilities, expanding both community partnerships and college programs, and raising funds for scholarships and other college needs before offering a toast to both Gottfried and his wife, Linda.

“The celebration was in recognition of Dr. Gottfried’s 11 years of leadership and accomplishments, but was also focused on funding the future,” said CSM Vice President of Advancement Michelle Goodwin. “The Foundation garnered 86 sponsors and shows of supports and raised funds through ticket and raffle sales — for a total of $111,250 — and we still have checks arriving and online donations coming in after the event.” Funds will go toward the new Gottfried Building Futures Scholarship supporting workforce training students in the areas of business, construction and skilled trades, cybersecurity/IT, healthcare, hospitality and transportation.

Students who pursue these workforce development (non-credit) programs do not generally have access to government grants, but their skills are desperately needed in the workforce. As a result, many citizens are denied an education because of the cost,” Gottfried said. “The Gottfried Building Futures Scholarship will go a long way toward addressing this issue in a very positive way. I am especially grateful to our college partners who have provided assistance to these students in the past and who are contributing to this new scholarship fund.” The funds raised that evening also help meet the Foundation’s multi-year $10 million IMPACT campaign goal, bringing the total to $8.4 million.

Raffle winners
Raffle drawings at “Celebrating a Career, Building Futures” helped raise funds for the Building Futures Scholarship, which was established in honor of CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried and his wife, Linda. From left are Linda Gottfried, Emily Gottfried, CSM Development Director Chelsea Brown, Dr. Michael Nieman, Mara Gottfried and Dr. Brad Gottfried.

This “Celebrating A Career, Building Futures” event was made possible by the overwhelming support from the community and these generous sponsors: (Supervisor level) ProFlex Physical Therapy and (Project Manager level) Barbara C. Scotland, owner, BCS Properties LLCs; Community Bank of the Chesapeake; SMECO; and Walter and Jane Grove.

Foreman level sponsors: Chesapeake-Potomac Healthcare Alliance, Christine Wray and John Felicitas, Dr. Daniel Mosser, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, Evie and Vince Hungerford, Hughesville Business & Civic Alliance, Miles & Stockbridge P.C., Scheibel Construction, Shah Associates and Southern Maryland Women’s League.

SMECO CEO Austin “Joe” Slater Jr. thanked CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried for the partnerships and commitment to the community over Gottfried’s 11 years with the college, particularly noting the college’s new pre-apprentice program at the Center of Trades and Energy Training. Slater presented Gottfried with a SMECO Empower MD rebate check of $11,070, realized from the high-efficiency, energy-savings design features within the new CTET building.

Journeyperson level sponsors: Bailey’s Party Rentals and Bailey’s Catering; BB&T; Bob and Birdie Shannon; Burch Oil Co, Inc.; CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services, Inc.; Charles County Department of Economic Development; Coldwell Banker Jay Lilly Real Estate; Comcast; Cross, Wood & Wynkoop Insurance; Dr. Stephen Peters; Glen and Barbara Ives; Grimm + Parker Architects; Leadership Southern Maryland; Marianne Harms; Mason Investment Advisory Services, Inc.; Nancy Hempstead; Rene Cunningham and Gerry Van De Velde; Sneade’s Ace Home Center, Inc.; Steve and Eileen Bildman; Valentines Delight Farms, LLC; Vyalex Management Solutions; Waldorf Glass; and Washington Gas a WGL Company.

Apprentice level sponsors: 3RGI Rapid Response Research Group, Inc.; Chelsea Brown and Erika Abell; Chris Rush and Mark Posten; Chuck and Kim Rosenfield; County First Bank; Crossroads of Hughesville Garden Club; Current Electrical Construction; Dixie Miller and Jim Ritter; Eileen Abel and Bill Luyster; Ellen Flowers-Fields; George and Dorothea Smith; Helen Heier; James and Sharon Buckler; Just·Tech; Kim and Greg Yellman; Longleaf Home Improvements, Joe DiNatale, Jr.; Mary and Warren Krug; Murray, Wamsley & Schrader, LLC, Certified Public Accountants; R. Reeves; Sharp’s Contracting, LLC; Shasho Consulting P.A. Commercial Real Estate; Southern Maryland Association of REALTORS; Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce, Inc.; Taylor Gas Company; The Patuxent Partnership; Tommy Luginbill; and W.M. Davis, Inc.

For information on giving opportunities for this scholarship fund or others at the CSM Foundation, visit http://foundation.csmd.edu/giving/index.html or call 301-934-7649.

Gottfrieds listen to speakers
CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried, right, and his wife, Linda Gottfried, listen as speakers share accolades of his college presidency. More than 300 supporters of the College of Southern Maryland, including Marianne Harms, shown left, gathered on June 3 to celebrate CSM’s President Dr. Brad Gottfried’s 11-year tenure as he prepares to retire at the end of this month.

For those wishing to offer farewell wishes for Gottfried on his retirement, please visit www.csmd.edu/GottfriedFarewell. Friends of the college are invited to a farewell reception for Gottfried 5-7 p.m. June 29 at the La Plata Campus Courtyard. There will be music and a cash bar.

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