USG Creates Priddy Scholarship for Students Majoring in Technology and Related Fields
Rockville, MD -- The Universities at Shady Grove, offering graduate and undergraduate degrees from nine university public universities in Maryland, announced the establishment of a scholarship for students majoring in information technology and related fields.
"This new information technology scholarship is being created by Shannon and Michael Priddy," said Stewart Edelstein, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University System of Maryland and Executive Director at USG. "Mike is an active and successful business leader who has been a dynamic force on our Board of Advisors. He believes strongly in giving back to our community through education."
Priddy is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Intervise, a technology consulting company he founded in 1990 that provides application development and integration services to the commercial and public sectors and membership based organizations.
Students eligible for the Shannon J. and Michael D. Priddy Endowed Scholarship can be enrolled in majors ranging across a dozen degree programs. The majors include Simulation and Digital Entertainment from the University of Baltimore; Geographic Information Systems from University of Maryland, Baltimore County; business degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park's R. H. Smith School of Business as well as Computer & Information Science and other information technology majors offered by the University of Maryland, University College.
The new scholarship will be given annually to a graduate or undergraduate student with demonstrated academic excellence, leadership and financial need in one of the technology fields. The first recipient will be selected for the 2008-09 academic year.
In honor of the Priddy's many contributions, USG's new library in the Camille Kendall Academic Center will be named the Shannon J. and Michael D. Priddy Library.
"USG is making a significant contribution to Montgomery County's economic vitality offering top quality degree programs, especially in fields where there is a great demand for well-trained college graduates," Priddy said. "Shannon and I feel privileged to help promising students fulfill their academic potential."
Priddy joined the USG Board of Advisors in 2003 and became First Vice Chair in 2007; he currently leads the Business Partnerships Development Committee. His initial involvement with USG and the University System of Maryland started when he spoke to the legislature about the importance of sustained funding for technology in higher education. As the founder and leader of a software development company, he has helped USG build relationships with technology trade associations and high tech companies.
He adds that one of USG's assets is its student body, which reflects the rich diversity of Montgomery County and enhances the educational experience for its students.
In addition to serving on the USG Board of Advisors, Priddy is on the Board of Directors for MCPS AOIT, Bethesda AFCEA and Montgomery County Economic Advisory Council and formerly on the board of the Technology Council of Maryland.
In the past two years USG has been able to create new scholarship opportunities for students majoring in challenging fields that closely mirror demand in Montgomery County and the region including the
- Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Endowed Scholarship for the Health Professions,
- Cliff and Camille Kendall Undergraduate Business Transfer Scholarship.
- USG Board of Advisors General Scholarship
- Lockheed Martin Scholarship for UMB School of Nursing Students
- Camille and Clifford Kendall Endowed Scholarship
- USG/Montgomery College/MCPS Partnership Scholarship
- James W. and Mary K. Price Scholarship
These new scholarships join other notable scholarships including the Kendall Montgomery College/USG Endowed Scholarship, the Molly Caitlin Counihan Endowed Scholarship for education majors, and the Chevy Chase Bank Scholarship benefits students with financial need and good academic standing majoring in business. The Tech Council of Maryland and the Kendalls jointly fund a scholarship for students in technology and biotechnology.
The Universities at Shady Grove is an innovative model for delivering top-quality higher education programs. USG is not one university; instead it is a collaboration of nine leading public universities in Maryland offering more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Montgomery County. Established in 2000, the USG campus currently serves 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students who take classes days, evenings, and weekends. With the opening of the Camille Kendall Academic Center in 2007, USG tripled enrollment capacity and is adding new degree programs to match the employment opportunities and needs in Montgomery County and the region.
Media Contacts
Joe Bucci
301.738.6356 / jbucci@umd.edu
Susan Whyte Simon
240/994-6541 / swsimon@umd.edu