SU Among Honorees at Governor's Regional Cabinet Meeting

Wednesday August 16, 2006

President of SU with Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich and Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele

From left: Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.,

SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach

and Lt. Governor Michael S. Steele

SALISBURY, MD---Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., with Lt. Governor Michael S. Steele, held a regional cabinet meeting at Salisbury University today where they also honored area citizens and organizations for their contributions to Maryland.

Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach welcomed the packed house in Holloway Hall Auditorium. She thanked Governor Ehrlich for his record of support for SU, which includes dramatic increases in the State’s operating budget and funding for two new academic buildings. “At Salisbury University, we have persevered through times of recession and fiscal hardship, and we are now poised to take advantage of Maryland’s restored economic prosperity,” said Dudley Eshbach. “This wouldn’t have happened without Governor Ehrlich’s leadership and support, and I want to publicly thank him today for being a steadfast friend of Salisbury University.”

“Whenever the lieutenant governor and I visit an educational institution, all you need to do is meet the principal or the president for 10 minutes, and you know the quality of education of that institution. I cannot tell you how proud I am of you,” the governor said to Dudley-Eshbach. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of this school.” Higher education, the University System of Maryland and Salisbury University have never been better, he added.

Several area leaders and organizations with ties to the University were honored for their ongoing record of excellence in public service. They included civic leader and SU benefactor Mitzi Perdue, whose family foundation recently announced an $8 million gift toward a new home for the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business; Edward Thomas, president and chief executive officer of the Bank of Delmarva and chair of the SU Foundation, and Dr. Memo Diriker, director of SU’s Business, Economic And Community Outreach Network, BEACON, for their service to the SU Foundation; the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, also affiliated with the University, for providing cultural experiences to area residents and fostering environmental and cultural awareness for over 10,000 children annually; and Salisbury’s Promise and SU’s ShoreCorps/PALS (Partnership for Adolescents on the Lower Shore) Program, for their service to local youth.

Wicomico County native Lewis Riley, who represented the Eastern Shore in the Maryland General Assembly before going on to serve three governors as Secretary of Agriculture, received a special tribute for his extraordinary career in public service from both the governor and Jim Perdue, chairman of Perdue Incorporated. Surrounded by family and friends on stage, Riley received a standing ovation and several accolades including a surprise video of his life.

Below are some photos of the day’s events.