The Campaign for Maryland Brief, Great Expectations, University of Maryland

May-June 2007

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June 4: Ralph Friedgen Invitational
10:30 a.m., Lowes Island Club, Sterling, Va.
Head Football Coach Ralph Friedgen ’70, ’72 and the Maryland Gridiron Network host this annual golf outing at the beautiful 36-hole, award-winning Lowes course. For more information visit mdgridiron.umd.edu or call 301.314.9057.

June 7: Portrait Unveiling and Reception
6:00 p.m., Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center
Join family and friends as the Maryland Alumni Association unveils a portrait of Samuel Riggs IV to be hung at the entrance to the Hall of Friendship. Meet the artist, Simmie Knox. For more information call 301.405.4677.

June 7: School of Journalism Panel Discussion
6:00 p.m., National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
Come learn about "Politics 2008: New Media, Old Media and the Presidential Election Campaign," with panelists Haynes Johnson, Susan Page, Jim Brady and Jim VanDerHei. For more information call 301.405.2420.

June 14: Terps Take Manhattan
6:00 p.m., Americas Society, New York, N.Y.
Join New York City area alumni for this annual networking reception featuring Head Basketball Coach Gary Williams '68 and alumni Len Elmore '78 and Bonnie Bernstein '92. For more information call 301.405.4677.

July 10—21: William Kapell International Piano Competition and Festival
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Celebrate the piano, pianists and piano music in its many forms with competition, performances and other events. For more information visit claricesmithcenter.umd.edu or call 301.405.ARTS.

Volunteers Make It Happen
Business Approach Sparks Work of Regional Volunteer

Finkelstein (left) with Chip Sollins '82, Ellen Sollins '84 and Barbara Kay at a dinner honoring Jack Kay '47 (right) in Boca Raton, Fla.

olunteers are the cornerstone of Great Expectations. In many ways, they are the foot soldiers that reach out to recruit more volunteers and enlist the support of donors. "It's about building a relationship," says Southeast Region Volunteer Co-chair Richard Finkelstein '72. This is an area in which Finkelstein, a University of Maryland College Park Foundation Board of Trustees member, is intimately familiar. He has built a successful career as a real estate executive developing luxury homes, country clubs and other exclusive properties in Florida. Getting to know clients and earning their trust are hallmarks in the business world. But it's also vital in philanthropy and volunteerism.

Finkelstein admits that it is challenging to recruit volunteers if they are unaware of the university's needs. He points to Maryland's aging physical plant as an example of why the success of the campaign is important. As the university expands its technological capabilities and its facilities, the utility requirements of the campus increase substantially. "The physical plant needs updating," says Finkelstein. "You've got to stay competitive in today's world and money is needed to provide services [including infrastructural renovations] to continue attracting outstanding students and faculty."

Tapping alumni as donors and volunteers is Finkelstein's focal point. "Getting the story out and building a base, not just knocking on someone's door for money; creating relationships and rekindling relationships with the university and graduates," says Finkelstein, is the charge and challenge. He believes alumni have a responsibility to the university to "make sure we're competitive in the 21st century, and provide even greater services and opportunities for the next generation of faculty and students." That's why he made the commitment to become a regional co-chair. Not shying away from such a huge responsibility, Finkelstein says, "if I'm going to be doing it, I want to do it right."

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Published by the University of Maryland 2007