Great Expectations Campaign Update, Spring 2008

Large Gift from Chemistry Alumnus Creates Nathan Drake Endowment in Organic Chemistry

A chemistry alumnus, who asked to remain anonymous, recently pledged a significant portion of his estate be used to create the Nathan Drake Endowment in Organic Chemistry. The Nathan Drake Endowment in Organic Chemistry will realize the dream of honoring a beloved faculty member in exactly the way this donor intended. Dr. Nathan L. Drake (pictured) was head of the university's chemistry department from 1940 until his death in 1959. He founded the Institute for Molecular Physics at Maryland in 1950.

By working with Andrea Morris, Asst. Dean for Development, and Mike Doyle, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, this donor alumnus was assured that his wishes for the Drake Endowment will be honored by an explicit memorandum of understanding. He also was able to hear first hand how meaningful this gift will be for the department. Through this generous financial commitment, this donor joins the University of Maryland Founders Society. The Founders Society honors all benefactors, living and deceased, who give through a will, trust, or other planned gift to help to ensure the future excellence and impact of the University of Maryland and its students. Gifts can be made that take into consideration personal circumstances and the needs of heirs. These include bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, memorial endowments, real estate, donor advised funds and charitable lead trusts.

If you are interested in pledging a planned gift as part of the Great Expectations Campaign, please contact Andrea Morris at x54572 or aemorris@umd.edu. She is able to provide consultation in conjunction with the University's Planned Giving Office to tailor a planned gift that meets both your financial and philanthropic interests.

Dean Allewell and Dr. Lorimer Host Cohen Foundation of Maryland Founders

On February 24th, 2008, Dean Allewell, Dr. George Lorimer, Director of the Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, and the University of Maryland Colonnade Society hosted the founders and supporters of the Cohen Foundation of Maryland for a tour of Lorimer’s research center and a women's basketball game at the Comcast Center.  

Brad and Margo Cohen (pictured at far right and far left) established the Cohen Foundation in 2006 to support heart disease and cancer research at the Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization. Margo lost her father to sudden cardiac arrest in 2000. Brad's mother survived cancer, but his grandparents did not.  The Center focuses on fundamental protein research, which can be applied to many medical research areas, including cancer and heart disease.

The Cohens and their supporters raised over $17,000 for the Center in 2007, almost double their goal of $10,000.  For 2008, they hope to raise at least $15,000. By funding research at the University of Maryland, they seek to advance scientific research that does not receive commercial sponsorship. The Cohens met at the University of Maryland and want to recognize the important science being conducted at the university.  Both graduated from the Smith School of Business. Visit the Cohen Foundation of Maryland website for more information.