Editor's Note: The following letter to the editor has been provided for publication by CSM Foundation Board Director/Gala Event Chair E. Rane Fra
Editor:
I want to thank everyone who came out, supported and contributed in any way to the College of Southern Marylands Electrifying Evening with the Arts and Sciences on October 19. It was a wonderful evening!
CSMs Latin Dance Ensemble Ritmo Cache welcomed everyone into the foyer of the building, There, CSM President Dr. Gottfried and CSM staff were on hand to greet guests as they arrived. The robotics team took great pride in showing off their skills and had the guests working with them like they were video games. The dance music, provided by Jennifer Cooper and Groovespan, and the food sumptuously prepared by Maryland Country Caterers was just the beginning. The lighted dance floor provided by Fantasy World Entertainment was soon covered by the dancing feet of the participants.
Most unique was the opportunity to actually paint on a canvas that, when completed, will be displayed in the building. You can say that that stroke of yellow or green was your personal contribution to the beauty of the building!
A special thank you to our wonderful sponsors including: Maryland Country Caterers, Inc., MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, and Miles & Stockbridge P.C., BAE Systems, Calvert Memorial Hospital, Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC (CENG), Dominion Foundation, Fantasy World Entertainment, Dr. Brad and Linda Gottfried, Rene Cunningham and Gerry Van De Velde, Southern Maryland Newspapers, Automated Graphics Systems, Inc., Coldwell Banker Jay Lilly Real Estate, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, Evie and Vince Hungerford, G.S. Proctor and Associates, Inc., Quality Built Homes, ServPro of St. Marys and Calvert Counties, University of Maryland University College, Walter and Jane Grove, William R. Chambers, Al and Lisa Leandre, The Calverton School, Carrie Polk Nationwide Insurance, Chaney Enterprises, Concerned Black Women of Calvert County, Dave Benson, Davis, Upton, Palumbo & Dougherty, LLC, Drs. Richard and Jean Fleming, Dr. Sue Subocz, George and Dorothea Smith, George Mason Mortgage, LLC, Hometown Realty, SMECO, Southern Maryland Chain Chapter of The Links, Inc., Southern Solutions, The Honorable Thomas Hutchins, and Waldorf Glass Company.
This event was planned as an opportunity for the community to tour the new building on our Prince Frederick Campus. But, it turned into much more than that! As I watched the building rise and take shape, the need for scholarships became even more apparent. Many of the students who will walk the halls of this beautiful, state-of-the-art building will need financial help to attend and finish their classes here. Many cannot afford to come and get the instruction they need to be able to attain their goals. Last year, there were 900 applicants for financial aid but only 300 actually received that aid due to lack of funds. Although fundraising for scholarships is ongoing, the need continues to rise. The money that we raised that night will help many more students to get the quality education that they deserve.
So now the building is open and serving the students, faculty and the community. But, the need for scholarships continues. We look forward to having the support of our sponsors at the next event for this great cause. Our children are our greatest asset and our greatest hope. I see hope for our future in the eyes of CSM students!
Sincerely,
E. Rane Franklin
CSM Foundation Board Director, Gala Event Chair