January 28, 2021 – Salisbury, Md. – A $10,000 gift will benefit the Salisbury’s Promise Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to Salisbury University students enrolled in the Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program. The gift was made by Dr. George and Barbara Whitehead in honor of the recent designation as an AmeriCorps School of National Service.
“We want everyone to understand what an honor this recognition is for the program and university,” says George Whitehead. “It only seemed fitting that we celebrate the program’s accomplishments by giving back to a scholarship that benefits the students.”
Dr. George Whitehead founded and led the ShoreCorps/PALS at Salisbury University until his retirement in 2016. George and Barbara created the Salisbury’s Promise Scholarship, held at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, to help ensure exemplary students had access to the program.
Dr. Charles Wight, President says, “George and Barbara Whitehead, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, always have been great allies of Salisbury University. This generous donation will benefit SU’s greatest asset – its students. Salisbury’s Promise Scholarship recipients are students who have shown dedication to helping others through volunteer opportunities and participation in non-profit organizations, demonstrating the civic engagement that is a pillar of an SU education. The Whiteheads’ contribution will help ensure the future success of these community leaders.”
Though now retired from Salisbury University, George still takes great pride in watching the programs grow and have been impressed with how the University has built upon the program. George and Barbara enjoy seeing how many of the students in the program continue down the path of service and leadership, many of whom have continued their work in the Lower Shore community.
“George Whitehead is the reason SU has an AmeriCorps program. His efforts to build and maintain the ShoreCorps/PALS program (now ShoreCorps) are responsible for so much of the positive relationship our institution shares with groups like CFES,” says Dr. Sandy Pope, ShoreCorps Director. “The commitment that he and Barbara continue to show towards our program, its members, and the entire Salisbury community is inspiring. This donation just serves as a reminder of all that the Whiteheads have done to help get things done on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”