Pam Offutt ’82, computer science, and Jay Offutt ’82, computer science, recently established the Pam and Jay Offutt Graduate Student Endowment with a transformational $1,040,000 gift to expand the Center for Women in Technology model at the graduate level. 

The program-changing gift was developed through a close, year-long collaboration with Jeanne van Briesen, dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology; Carolyn Seaman, director of CWIT, and Kim Robinson director of major gifts in the Office of Institutional Advancement. 

“We are tremendously grateful for Pam and Jay’s vision, which supports our commitment to inclusive excellence,” says van Briesen. “The endowment will help strengthen the pipeline of talent prepared for leadership in computing and technology careers.” 

Beyond providing Offutt Scholars with crucial financial aid, this investment funds the dedicated staffing, leadership programming, and mentorship needed to build a vibrant, connected community spanning undergraduates, graduate students, and professional mentors. 

Click here to read more about Pam and Jay and their motivations for establishing this endowment.

Making an Immediate Impact

With an endowment gift of $1,000,000, and a bridge gift of $40,000, the Pam and Jay Offutt Graduate Student Endowment is positioned to make an immediate impact with the first group of Offutt Scholars in the fall 2026 semester.

“We are excited that we were able to structure the gift this way,” said Robinson. “The $40,000 bridge gift allows us to start right away, while the $1,000,000 endowment ensures support for the program in perpetuity. Hopefully, this becomes a model for future philanthropic giving.”

Looking Ahead

True to UMBC’s mission, this endowment reminds us that access is only the first step. Real success requires dedicated community support, personal connections, and a culture where our graduates look back and lift up others.

Please join us in extending our deepest gratitude to Pam and Jay Offutt for their visionary generosity and unwavering dedication to the next generation of tech leaders.