From the Nominator

The University of Maryland hosted its inaugural Black Alumni Weekend in 2022 after several pivots and a cancellation. The weekend was filled with inspiration, reconnection, and Terp pride. The three-day event included three signature events, which included a donor gala, an outdoor festival featuring alumni performers, and a competition brunch. Attendees also enjoyed 16 other events throughout the weekend, which included an African American campus history tour, a legislative representative brunch, and community service projects. The Black Alumni Weekend was one of the university's most collaborative events, featuring more than 16 campus units and a team of 12 alumni committee members led by two alumni association staff members. The weekend brought more than 800 attendees and resulted in more than $250,000 raised for the university.

From the Judges

The panel felt this entry serves as a great case study for hosting an inaugural event of this type. The event fundraising is excellent. The judges were particularly pleased to see the level of benchmarking and research that was done, as it reinforces the idea of leveraging our strong community to get insights, diversify perspectives, and better ourselves.