UMES Alumnus Establishes $355,000 Scholarship Fund to Honor Former Professor
Philanthropy Still Alive in Spite of Economic Downturn
PRINCESS ANNE, MD- Undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore can further benefit from the generosity of the university's largest alumni donor, Allen J. Singleton, class of 1959. His recent gift, valued at $355,000, combines future lifetime giving and a bequest to establish the Singleton-Stone Endowed Scholarship Fund.
"Time and time again, Mr. Singleton has demonstrated his appreciation for the high quality education he received at the university (formerly Maryland State College) by making philanthropic contributions to the university so that other students lives may be similarly enriched," said Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, president, UMES. "We are so grateful to him and to all those who give."
Always an ardent supporter of the university, Singleton increased his commitment in the past three years by creating two other endowment funds. The Allen J. Singleton Endowment Fund for Business and Education provides scholarships to students majoring in either business or education and the Singleton Student Leadership Fund provides funding for student leadership development.
The latest gift, the Singleton-Stone Endowed Scholarship Fund honors Singleton's former professor, Dr. Vernon Stone, who taught at the university during the late 1950's and 60's. Singleton credits Stone with many personal and professional accomplishments he has achieved such as his career in higher education as vice president of academic computing and as vice president of student affairs at universities in New Jersey and New York.
"I was made to take longer strides, work harder and target for the upper rung [on the ladder of success] all because Dr. Stone saw in me, as he did in each of [my peers], abilities unbeknown to us," said Singleton. "[It was] because of the magnitude of the man, each of us acquired an aura of purposefulness and the work ethic, predicated on effective and endearing service to man."
The Singleton-Stone Scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student at UMES who demonstrates, among other attributes, academic excellence as well as a devotion to the betterment of humanity and the public good through community service. The scholarship covers the costs of tuition, university fees, books and may provide a monthly stipend for living expenses.
"Thanks to this very special gift, Singleton-Stone scholars will be provided the opportunity to complete or further their education as they reach for the upper rung on the ladder of success as did their benefactor before them," said Kimberly Dumpson, Esq., director of Alumni Affairs and Planned Giving. "Philanthropy is still alive and thriving, despite the current economic environment."
The Singleton-Stone Scholarship is open to receive additional gifts. The endowment will be managed by the University System of Maryland Foundation, Inc. For more information, contact Dumpson at 410-651-7686 or by email at kdumpson@umes.edu.
###
Gail Stephens, assistant director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-7580, gcstephens@umes.edu.
Suzanne Waters Street, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355, sstreet@umes.edu.