Alumni & Donors
Calling all alumni!
Are you a graduate of one of our language programs? We want to hear from you!
Alumni Profiles
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Considering a donation or bequest to the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures?
Guide to online giving from the College of Arts & Humanities Office of Development
Scholarship for International Understanding
The Scholarship for International Understanding was first established during the 2001-2002 academic year. The Advisory Council of the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures established this need-based undergraduate scholarship to be awarded by the School to our majors. This scholarship was established in response to a directive from Dean James Harris that each unit in the College of Arts and Humanities attempt to create a need-based scholarship totaling $5000 (the rough equivalent of one year's tuition at the time for an in-state student). Since the events of September 11th led to a heightened sense of the possibility of international conflict, the School's Advisory Council chose to name the award The Scholarship for International Understanding to encourage a greater understanding of languages and cultures in other parts of the world. Thanks to the generosity of the School's faculty and staff, approximately $4500 was originally raised, and members of the School's Undergraduate Committee have awarded scholarships to student majors selected based on their record of academic performance and certified un-met financial need $832.61 now remains in the account. Without additional contributions, the Undergraduate Committee will be unable to continue to assist our students in need.
To donate to this important fund online, please go to the Maryland Fund for Excellence donation page. Under the "Select a fund" field in red, select Arts & Humanities "Scholarship for International Understanding" or select one of the other options described below.
Alumni may give to the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in the College of Arts & Humanities in many different ways throughout their lifetimes.
Cash gifts
An easy, flexible and simple way to give is to send a personal check or money order by mail, or use your credit card to make a gift online.
Appreciated securities
Gifts of stock are a convenient way to make a gift by using assets other than cash. The transactions can be handled with you directly or with your financial representative and have multiple benefits that vary with each individual's portfolio.
Real or personal properties
Property is another attractive way to make a gift. When you make gifts of property, certain value appraisals are required. These transactions will be handled with you directly and in conjunction with your legal representative.
Bequests
Gifts made through your estate plan can help you realize your philanthropic goals, and may allow you to make a more significant gift than is possible during your lifetime. Please contact the Director of Development in the College of Arts & Humanities, Laura W. Brown for a confidential consultation. Or, for more information about planned giving opportunities, please visit the University's office of planned giving.
Life insurance
If you are carrying more insurance coverage than your family obligations now require, you may find a hidden gift asset in a surplus, paid-up policy.
Charitable remainder trusts
Earn money on your contribution by transferring money, securities or other assets to a trust that will then pay you an income for life or a period of years. The trust will be designed by you to fit your own needs in conjunction with your financial advisor or legal representative.
However you choose to support the College, please contact the Development Office to direct your gift to the Arts & Humanities program of your choice.
Today more than ever, your gift matters.Giving back to the College of Arts & Humanities is a measure of your satisfaction with the education and opportunities you received here. But more than that, your gift:
Sustains and supports people and programs
We rely significantly more on financial support from alumni and friends than you may realize. Nationally, there has been a steady erosion of state and federal funding for higher education over the last three decades. In Maryland , state support of the university has dropped to just 26% of the institution's budget.
Influences opinion-makers
The percentage of alumni who give to the school is a factor when corporations and foundations award grants, when high school seniors and parents are evaluating colleges and universities, and when other donors are making their philanthropic decisions. So each gift has an impact far beyond the dollar amount donated.
Safeguards the value of your degree
Alumni giving is also a criteria used in the national rankings of colleges and universities. Your gift of ANY size to ANY program publicly demonstrates your pride in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in the College of Arts and Humanities and your investment in its goals.
Are there different types of gifts I can make?
You may choose the type of gift you want to give and how you want it designated. For example, you may want to designate your gift to a specific fund, a specific Arts & Humanities department or program. Gifts may be made with cash, credit cards, stocks, land (real property) or other personal property. Please go to "Ways Of Giving" for a reference of possible gift choices.
Can I designate where I want my gift to go?
Yes, you choose where you would like your gift to make the most impact. In accordance to your wishes, we will apply your gift to any Arts & Humanities fund, department, program, key initiative, etc., for use in the manner you intended.
How can I give online?
Gifts to our annual fund, the Maryland Fund for Excellence, may be made online quickly and securely at https://advancement.usmd.edu/OnlineGiving/umd.html . For other types of gifts such as establishing a scholarship or professorship and estate gifts, please contact Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu
May I make a gift to recognize or memorialize someone?
Yes, you can make your gift in recognition of a special loved one, friend, colleague, etc. or to memorialize someone who is no longer with us. By establishing an endowed fund such as a scholarship or professorship, you are able to memorialize a loved one in perpetuity. For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu
How can I make a gift that will last forever as a tribute to someone?
You may endow your gift so that it lives in perpetuity. The gift's principal will be invested soundly and the percentage of the income generated will be designated as you wish. For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu
May I make a gift and spread it out over a period of time?
Gifts of $5,000 or more may be pledged up front and paid over a maximum five-year term.
Is my gift tax deductible?
All gifts to the College of Arts & Humanities are tax deductible.
Are there other tax breaks or income producing opportunities for me through my gift?
There are various ways of structuring your gift whereby you will be provided with a stream of income in addition to a tax break. Please contact your finance or tax professional directly or contact Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu
If I have a question(s) about making a gift, who may I contact?
The Development Office staff can help you with your questions and gift choices. Please feel free to contact: Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu or phone (301) 405-6339 .
