SU Foundation awarded $800,000 Perdue-Kresge Community Challenge

SALISBURY, MD--- The Salisbury University Foundation has been awarded the chance to raise $800,000 that will be matched dollar-for-dollar to create a $1.6 million for University outreach programs. The SU Foundation was named a partner in the Perdue-Kresge Challenge for the Community, an endowment campaign sponsored by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

Salisbury University assembled the SU Foundation Endowment Partnership as the ideal response to the Perdue-Kresge Challenge for the Community: the Partner organizations are all firmly tied to Salisbury University's educational mission but each is primarily oriented to SU's goal of civic engagement. In other words, the Partners were selected because each serves the Lower Shore community, and the region, in a unique way.

Real estate developer Henry Hanna is a member of the SU Foundation board of directors and is chairing the Partnership Campaign. "The Perdue Kresge Challenge presents an excellent opportunity for Eastern Shore residents to double their charitable gifts. Each dollar contributed to the SU Foundation Endowment Partnership Campaign will be matched one-for-one by the Foundation, " said Hanna. "It's exciting to participate in such a powerful fundraising program that benefits not only the University's outreach efforts, but also the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore."

The SU Foundation Partners are:

The Center for Conflict Resolution, which was founded in 1992, and offers a low- cost, confidential approach to mediating conflicts. Center mediators have served public and private groups and individuals on the Delmarva Peninsula and beyond. Center staff and students have provided conflict resolution workshops at area schools. Salisbury architect Jim McDonald, board chair, is directing the drive.

The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra at Salisbury University presents concerts of classical and popular music throughout the region. The SSO recently received a $100,000 challenge gift from Dr. Peter Jackson and his wife Judy to expand symphony offerings. Les Simpson, a Salisbury accountant, and Dr. Jackson are co-directing the SSO campaign.

The Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture may be best known for its popular genealogical programs and offers the largest collection of such records on the Eastern Shore. The Nabb Center preserves collections of local interest and provides access to valuable records to SU students and amateur and professional historians. Overseeing their effort is Board Chair Gordon Wood, a retired attorney from Oceanview, DE.

The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art was acquired by the University last year. The Ward Museum hopes to expand its ties to the community with additional educational programs and exhibits. Leading the Ward Museum's efforts is insurance executive Henry Stansbury of Catonsville, MD.

The Seidel Scholarship Challenge for future teachers, launched in response to a generous gift from the late Sam Seidel and his wife, Marilyn, is the fifth component to the partnership. This effort is particularly important as SU responds to the regional and nationwide teacher shortage by increasing scholarships for students majoring in education. Joining Hanna in heading the Seidel Challenge is retired executive Wayne Towers, also an SU Foundation board member.