On June 7, 2017 the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) held a reception to honor the Board of Advisors (BOA) for their support and dedication. At the reception, USG recognized Board members who are retiring and welcomed new Board members.
This year, a retiring Board member was awarded the second-ever Founders Vision Award. The first-ever Founders Vision Award was presented to Earle Palmer Brown in 2010. The Founders Vision Award recognizes and honors an individual who exemplifies the vision, leadership and commitment that the founders of USG displayed in establishing the Universities at Shady Grove.
The USG Board of Advisors honored Joe Vivona, Chief Operation Officer and Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance for the University System of Maryland (USM), with the Founders Vision Award. Joe Vivona has served continuously as a BOA member since USG's inception in 2000. He is one of USG's founding members and has his name engraved on the Founder's Plaza that surrounds the sundial. He has been instrumental in advocating for USG within USM, Montgomery County, and the Maryland State Government. He helped secure capital funding needed for the new Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Education Facility as well as the Camille Kendall Academic Center. Joe Vivona’s vision has been what has driven the growth and success of USG.