Dedication of SU Students Inspires $100,000 Gift for Business Scholarships

SALISBURY, MD---Even in retirement, Carl Berquist stays busy. 

The former executive vice president and chief financial officer for Marriott International, Inc., had a long career with Marriott and Arthur Andersen, LLP. Now, he continues to serve on boards for various organizations, including Cracker Barrel, Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., the National Capital Area Boy Scouts of America, Youth for Tomorrow and Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, among others. He jokes that he’s working more now than before he retired.

So, when alumnus Bruce Cort ’71 asked Berquist to visit Salisbury University as a speaker for the Executive Leadership Series in 2019, it may have seemed like another activity to add to his busy schedule. However, he walked away with a lasting impression of SU — and most of all, its students.

“I took a tour of SU’s campus, and the biggest selling point that I was most impressed with was the students,” Berquist said. “No matter what class I walked into, it was clear they loved what they were doing. They were so warm, genuine and excited to get out into the world and do what they love in a positive way.”

As someone who is very involved with charitable organizations for youth, this enthusiasm and dedication from SU’s student body spoke to Berquist. After his visit to SU, he made the decision to donate $100,000 to establish the Carl T. Berquist Business Scholarship for students who have been admitted to SU’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business. The scholarship is needs-based and will award $4,000 to one Perdue student per year starting in 2021.

“Carl is really a terrific man,” Cort said. “He’s a very accomplished person who came from humble beginnings. I thought our business students at SU would benefit from meeting him.”

Berquist chose to give to Perdue School students because not only is business his background, but he toured the school during his visit and was impressed with the facilities. He took the time to speak to students in accounting and business classes, who showed their dedication to moving forward and making an impact.

“SU has a great student body that it should be proud of,” Berquist said. “They so impressed me with their drive, I wanted to give back and help students who may not otherwise have a chance to better themselves.”

Throughout his work with nonprofits, Berquist has long been committed to helping youth lead more successful and fulfilled lives. Whether they are troubled teenagers or straight-A valedictorians, he believes any young person just starting out in life could use help taking their first big step. A quality education and degree from an outstanding program can be that first step.

“These are the people who are going to be the next generation of workers and professionals,” Berquist said. “Any extra help you can give them, that gets paid back a thousand-fold.”

He says he and his wife are no miracle workers, but giving even a few dollars here and there goes a long way to give youth a chance at a better life.

“Everybody can help in different ways, and one way I can help is financially,” Berquist said. “I can help someone who may not otherwise be able to go to SU, and then the world is a much better place for it. If you can give back and help a young person have a better life, then how great is that?”

Join the We Are SU campaign or email the SU Foundation, Inc. at ahwaters@salisbury.edu to learn more about scholarship endowments.