By: Robby Sheehan
SU Town-Gown Council Chair
Inspiring classroom mentors. Those bravely fighting life-ending diseases. Humanitarians helping to feed the hungry. And others unable to be pigeonholed — simply known as “community heroes.” Ordinary people doing extraordinary things on the Delmarva Peninsula are making lives better for others every day … and Salisbury University wants to hear about them!
SU’s Town-Gown Council is accepting nominations for its 2015 President’s Distinguished Community Leadership Awards. Awards are presented in two categories: organization and individual. Winners will be recognized during SU’s Spring Commencement on Thursday, May 21.
Past individual winners include former Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Lewis Riley, breast cancer support advocate Sue Revelle, Henry Hanna III, Peninsula Regional Medical Center President and CEO Peggy Naleppa, Dr. Carolyn Stegman, Deborah Abbott, Dr. George Whitehead and Marty Neat.
Past organizational winners are the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Women Supporting Women, MAC, Inc., the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, Dove Pointe, Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and Lower Shore Enterprises, Inc.
Last year’s recipients — Lee Whaley for the individual award and the Richard A. Henson Foundation, Inc. for the organizational honor — are good examples of the types of people and groups we want to spotlight.
Whaley has been a pillar of the Salisbury community and the greater Eastern Shore since she began her work as a liaison for U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes in 1991. Her impact has been substantial and wide ranging. On many occasions throughout her career, she interceded on behalf of some of the neediest of citizens in our community for a variety of issues, including assisting individuals with Social Security concerns, veterans’ issues and relief coordination for victims of Hurricane Isabel and Superstorm Sandy.
Now retired from government service, Whaley continues to serve the community as a pioneering member of the Salisbury Arts and Entertainment District Committee, credited with helping revitalize the downtown area. She also is a member of a number of community organizations working to improve the region.
Created by Maryland aviation pioneer Richard A. Henson in 1990, the Richard A. Henson Foundation continues to uphold the values and beliefs of its late founder through community philanthropy.
In the past 24 years, the foundation has contributed millions to education, health, wellness and recreation, including SU, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Wor-Wic Community College, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury Zoological Park, YMCA and Boy Scouts of America Del-Mar-Va Council. As indicated by its motto, the Henson Foundation works “so that others may soar.”
Individuals and organizations in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties in Maryland; Accomack and Northampton counties in Virginia; and Sussex County in Delaware are eligible for the award. Nomination forms are available online at www.salisbury.edu/communityleadership.
Nomination forms and two letters of support should be sent to me at Robby Sheehan, SU Town-Gown Council Chair, Salisbury University, 1101 Camden Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801, or e-mailed to Gina Boobar, executive administrative assistant, at gmboobar@salisbury.edu. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Friday, April 3. Please call 410-548-3316 with any questions.
The University looks forward to again thanking those who have been remarkably generous to this community and celebrating them as exemplars of civic behavior for our students. It is our privilege to honor the deserving individuals and organizations that help make our area a better place.
