"Divine" Intervention for Students in Need

Divine Nine Illustration by Joshua Harless

THEY CALL THEMSELVES THE DIVINE NINE: the nine historically African-American Greek-letter fraternities and sororities that form the National Pan-Hellenic Council, or NPHC. And Maryland alumni members of each organization are rallying around a new cause to benefit current students.

Led by Nicole Pollard '91, a new member of the Colonnade Society Council and the alumni association's Board of Governors, these alumni created the Divine Nine Emergency Tuition Assistance Fund this year.

"Members of our organizations were leaders at Maryland, and this fund benefits those students who are following in our footsteps and taking on leadership roles today," says Pollard, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., who was seeking ways to encourage more alumni to give back to Maryland.

The Divine Nine, who share a common purpose of community service and leadership development, held their first alumni reunion on May 2 to get the fundraising ball rolling. The more than 200 alumni who came together to reminisce also contributed nearly 17 ,000 to the fund. Others who couldn't attend the event connected on the group's Facebook page and expanded the fundraising momentum online. The goal is to raise $25,000 by Homecoming, which will endow the tuition assistance fund and ensure its perpetual impact.

"I strongly believe that people give to the things that they are close to, and this event renewed connections to Maryland for many African-American alumni," says Pollard.

The tuition assistance fund will support members of NPHC organizations who have no other financial resources available to handle emergency situations, with priority given to students who are within one or two semesters of graduation.

"These students have invested two, three or more years in getting their education," Pollard says. "We don't want them to have to walk away from their accomplishments and lose opportunities simply because of financial need." Ultimately, the group hopes continued contributions will grow the fund to a level that will allow full scholarships to be awarded. -CR

Turf Grad Sets Others on Right Course

WHEN FRANK DUDA '07 was finishing his undergraduate degree in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, his classmates joked that he was the type of person who might one day have a college building named after him.

Maybe someday. Duda was known then for his dedication to his studies in the college's turf and golf course management program as well as his leadership and work as a peer mentor. Now he's an alumnus who's found another way to show his commitment to the college.

Immediately after graduating, and at only 21 years of age, Duda established a scholarship to benefit others in the turf program. His gift makes him one of the university's youngest alumni to fund a scholarship.

"I knew I wanted to give back," Duda says, "especially to the turf program, because there are not a lot of scholarships available in that discipline, and I wanted to help the program's reputation grow."

Now an assistant superintendent at the Miacomet Golf Course in Nantucket, Mass., he can see firsthand the value of the education he received at Maryland. "The plant sciences part of the program is invaluable, and you also learn a commitment to environmentally friendly turf management practices that are becoming the standard in the industry today."

He hopes to follow in Duda's footsteps not only in his career track, but also in his financial support of Maryland's turf and golf course management program. "I don't think Frank could have done a better thing for the University of Maryland than to give back to the same program he was in," says Hutzell. "I am thinking that maybe a year or two after I am done with my degree that I can do something similar." -TV

HUTZELL
Duda and Turf photos by Edwin Remsberg; Hutzell photo by John T. Consoli

For 59 Consecutive Years, Alumnus Supports Terps

OSCAR LINE MISSED HIS GRADUATION CEREMONY back in Spring 1950-he'd already been shipped off to serve in Korea. Despite his meager Navy wages, he managed from his overseas post to send his first donation to Maryland.

He's mailed at least one check to his alma mater every year since.

Now 90, Line is one of the university's most consistent supporters, helping to fund athletics, student scholarships and other priority needs

"I've tried to make it a little better off for others than what I had," he says.

Line (right) came to Maryland in 1946, after serving as a Navy fighter pilot in World War II. He'd already lost his dad, and his mother died while he was stationed in the South Pacific.

The pre-law major lived on campus and worked at the university bookstore; he laughs now as he recalls students offering him "bribes" of cold bottled milk in exchange for books. Line refused to take any shifts on Friday nights or Saturday afternoons because he never missed a football game.

He carried on that same devotion to the football team as soon as he returned from Korea after three years, two months and five days. Line earned a law degree at American University and began a long career in Department of Defense intelligence. He still can't talk about most of his work.

Line remains a huge Maryland football fan and likes to tailgate with fellow alumni in the Maryland Club at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center.

"He loves the people, he loves the music we play. He's always the first one here," says Brian Shook, director of individual philanthropy and regional programs and a friend of Line's.

Over the years, Line increased his giving substantially, and in March of this year made a bequest to support the operation of the alumni center. A space in the building will be named in Line's honor, a fitting tribute to a man who makes Riggs his game-day home. -LB

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