Creating a Future of Possibilities for Our Students
The Gossett Family Challenge creates an opportunity to turn $1 million into $2 million for graduates of Northwestern High School in Prince George’s County who are accepted into the University of Maryland Incentive Awards Program. Barry P. Gossett, a Northwestern alumnus who attended the University of Maryland, wants a to inspire a collective effort by graduates of both institutions to build a perpetual fund for Incentive Awards recipients.
“Here’s an opportunity to give back to the community at Northwestern that set you on your path in life. More importantly, this is an opportunity to invest in the lives of current and future Northwestern and Maryland students to perpetuate a legacy of individuals who will contribute to the future of mankind.”
—Barry P. Gossett
What is the Maryland Incentive Awards Program?
The Incentive Awards Program rewards students who have achieved success despite tremendous life challenges. Entirely supported by the generosity of donors, it provides full financial support for students to attend the University of Maryland for four years. Comprised of the Suzanne G. and Murray A. Valenstein Baltimore Incentive Awards Program and the Prince George’s County Incentive Awards Program, it recruits talented youth from 14 Baltimore city and Prince George’s County high schools for this unique program.
An intimate community of students, advisors and faculty mentors, the Incentive Awards scholars are taking full advantage of all that the university has to offer—study abroad experiences, campus leadership roles, research opportunities with award-winning faculty and internships that expand their vision of career possibilities. Students from Northwestern High School have been a part of the program since 2006. Graduates of the program are creating a legacy of achievement in every sector of society.
“In order for me to succeed in life, I must set goals and follow through to accomplish them. I feel that my purpose in life is to help others through service, and achieving my goals will ensure that my purpose is fulfilled.”
—Dekebra Arrington
(Northwestern Class of ’07
and Maryland Incentive Awards scholar)
Why the Gossett Family Northwestern Challenge?
Barry Gossett’s student experiences at Northwestern High School and the University of Maryland not only provided him with an exceptional education, but life lessons on what it means to be a responsible and productive person in society. Remembering the deep sense of community at Northwestern, he wants as many young people as possible to take advantage of the Maryland experience to prepare for the road to success.
Gossett, his wife Mary and his brothers Patrick and Ken, also a Northwestern graduate, have generously committed $1 million to the Maryland Incentive Awards Program through Great Expectations, The Campaign for Maryland. They want to fuel the dreams of high-achieving Northwestern students who are experiencing difficult life circumstances and have challenged others to join them with targeted support for these students.
If alumni and friends match the Gossett gift dollar-for-dollar, this collective effort will fund a $2 million endowment providing perpetual funding for four Northwestern graduates to receive Incentive Awards each year into the future. Initial gifts will support full funding for current students. Any revenue beyond their current needs will go to the endowment. Join in to invest in the future today. No gift is too small.
“I want to be a positive role model and someday sponsor academic and work cooperative programs targeting underrepresented students. As a result of my aid, there will be a change in the low number of minority students pursuing higher education and a change in low voter turnouts.”
—Maria Vasquez
(Northwestern Class of ’06
and Maryland Incentive Awards scholar)
