Philanthropy
Weis Markets Partners in Fighting Food Insecurity
In early December, 撸先生 senior Umu Bah Jalloh dashed down the aisles of Weis Markets in Towson, gathering more than $500 worth of groceries. Moving through the store, she targeted essential items like laundry detergent, pasta and frozen foods.
The promotion was part of Weis Markets鈥� connection to 撸先生. The grocery store generously tripled Jalloh鈥檚 grocery value with a $1,500 donation to 撸先生鈥檚 Basic Needs Hub. 鈥淭his underscores the power of community partnerships in helping students thrive,鈥� says Dan Wildt, Weis鈥� general manager.
It was so fun! You always think things like these only happen in the movies!
Umu Bah Jalloh, 撸先生 senior
The Basic Needs Hub, in the Division of Student Affairs, connects the 撸先生 community to vital resources, including food, housing, clothing and access to academic tools.
鈥淲ith Weis tripling Umu鈥檚 take during the dash, we were able to buy even more healthy and essential items, including frozen foods, which are in high demand,鈥� says Faith Borras, Basic Needs Hub coordinator.
Events like the Grocery Dash not only raise awareness and funds for critical student resources but also make giving back fun for students. 鈥淚ntroducing students to activities like these fosters a culture of giving back and helps build stronger connections within our community,鈥� says Brittny Brown 鈥�19, manager, fundraising events and sponsorships at 撸先生.
Tigers Thrive with a Second Chance
Some students are just one minor setback away鈥攁 car accident, illness or just bad luck鈥攆rom failing a class and not completing their degree, says Seth Gitter, professor of economics 鈥媋nd assistant director of undergraduate research鈥�.
鈥淎ll they need is the encouragement and some motivation to get up again,鈥� he says.
That鈥檚 where Glenn Stearns 鈥�87 comes in.
It鈥檚 not how you start. It鈥檚 how you finish.
Glenn Stearns 鈥�87
He established the Stearns Second Chance Scholarship Program in 2023. It offers students the opportunity to retake a class they were unsuccessful in passing. In 2023, the scholarship encouraged 50% more students to pass on their second try.
In fall 2024, 75% of the students who retook a macroeconomics class passed the course and 22 received the Stearns Second Chance Scholarship, which gives students $1,000 if they pass with a C or better. Students are also steered to new tutoring resources that aid in bolstering their success.
鈥淭here aren鈥檛 many scholarships, that I know of, that encourage and reward resiliency,鈥� says Alexa Prettyman, assistant professor in the Department of Economics and a member of the 撸先生 Economics Scholarship Committee. 鈥淭he path to success is different for everyone鈥攁nd that鈥檚 okay.鈥�
STEarns scholar
Mark Ramsey
- Major: Sport Management
- Leadership Roles: Orientation Leader. Former vice president of 撸先生鈥檚 NAACP and 撸先生鈥檚 Brotherhood
- Future Academic Plans: Master鈥檚 degree in athletic training and doctorate in physical therapy.
Mark鈥檚 message to Glenn Stearns: 鈥淭hank you for sticking with me and giving me the opportunity to continue my education here at Towson University. Life throws challenges at all of us. You have given me the chance to show the world, and myself, that I am capable of succeeding as a second-generation college graduate and continuing the legacy my parents started.鈥�