Dear Retrievers,

As I've had the pleasure of getting to know campus over the past few months, I am continually impressed by the inclusive and supportive nature of the UMBC community. Inclusive excellence is not just something we preach; it’s ingrained in our everyday lives, moving the university toward President Valerie Sheares Ashby’s bold vision for our future.

Although higher education is going through unprecedented times across the country, UMBC continues to grow and innovate because of our inclusive culture and the continued support of our most ardent advocates—our donors. Philanthropy is all around you and plays a crucial role in making your UMBC experience possible. Every student has benefited from donor generosity in some way. Gifts from generous donors help launch new programs, build and maintain facilities, support research, and provide scholarships. These gifts also support your fellow Retrievers through initiatives like the Stay Black & Gold Emergency Fund and Retriever Essentials, which make sure no student has to choose between food and their education. The UMBC experience we know today exists because of this ongoing generosity.

We know that philanthropy fuels possibility. It’s with this conviction that I am excited to invite you to be part of something bold, something that will shape the future of our university—the Hilltop Society Giving Pack.

As a new part of the Hilltop Society, one of UMBC’s most prestigious giving societies, the Giving Pack is our all-student movement to explore and grow philanthropy on campus. Philanthropy is often thought of as donating, but at its core, philanthropy simply means giving back. While supporting UMBC through a gift is one meaningful way to do that, it’s far from the only way. Philanthropy can be expressed by sharing your time, lending your voice, showing gratitude, and working to strengthen the community around you. That’s where the Giving Pack comes in. Together, we’ll explore the many forms of philanthropy:

The Pack is here to help students see that giving is broad, impactful, and lasting, and that every act of generosity helps keep the Retriever spirit bold, inclusive, and strong.

For those students who want to get involved, we created a special myUMBC group for our Giving Pack community as a way to stay connected and share updates about events. We’re also hosting our first event this Thursday, October 2, 5 – 6:30 p.m., in The Commons Fireside Lounge (level 3). Come celebrate the launch of Hilltop Society’s Giving Pack with snacks, free swag, and plenty of Retriever pride during our first-ever student social hour! If you have any questions, please contact Nicholas Stachurski, assistant director of annual giving, at nstachur@umbc.edu.

I am truly humbled and grateful for the profound impact each of you has on our entire UMBC community. It is a great time to be a Retriever, and I hope you will join me in leading us into this exciting new era!

With Retriever pride,