Bank of America Gifts UMES Students
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – The Bank of America, Salisbury Branch, recently awarded $2,000 scholarships to GamzeGuzel-Hall and Freddie Velez of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
“Bank of America is excited and honored to be able to provide scholarships to two well deserving students at UMES,” said Monty Sayler, senior vice president, “and the Bank looks forward to establishing long lasting ties with the school going forward.”
Guzel-Hall of Delmar, graduated in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel and restaurant management. An exceptional student, she worked up to 48 hours per week while taking a full load of classes. She graduated with a GPA of 3.85 and has since re-entered the university to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in computer science.
“I deeply thank all of the donors who helped support my schooling. Without that help, I would not have been able to stay in school and pursue the career I love.”
Velez of Fort Washington, graduated during the May commencement ceremony with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. An honors student, he was named to the Dean’s List and the National Honor Roll, inducted into the Golden Key Honor Society and listed in Who’s Who Among College Students. Velez has been accepted in the UMES Doctor of Physical Therapy program and upon completion plans to own his own clinic.
“I am very appreciative of the award from the Bank of America,” said Velez. “It has helped me to advance toward my future goal of becoming a physical therapist.”
Private gifts to the university are made to the UMES Foundation, which is part of the University System of Maryland Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation separate from the University System of Maryland. The foundation is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation’s purpose is to receive, hold, invest, manage, use, dispose of and administer property of all kinds, whether given absolutely or in trust, or by way of agency or otherwise. Contributions are used entirely for the purpose specified by the donor.
The university has a 120-year tradition of providing students from underserved populations with an opportunity to receive a higher education. Financial support for students is an important focus of the Campaign for Academic Excellence, a seven-year effort to raise $14 million. To date over $5.3 million has been raised in the campaign, which runs through 2011.
For more information on the UMES Campaign for Academic Excellence, please contact the Division of Institutional Advancement at 410-651-7773 or go to www.umes.edu and click on “ways to give.”
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Suzanne Waters Street, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355,sstreet@umes.edu.
Contact: Gains B. Hawkins, vice president, UMES Division of Institutional Advancement, 410-651-7773, ghawkins@umes.edu.
Photo Caption: Monty Sayler, senior vice president, Bank of America, Salisbury Branch.