BALTIMORE, MARYLAND (July 6, 2022) — SECU MD Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union – SECU, announced today its 2022 Scholarship Recipients. In an effort to further education and provide a brighter future for its members, the SECU MD Foundation Scholarship Program awarded $115,000 in scholarships to 27 SECU members spanning communities across the state who will be attending a trade or technical school, college or university for the Fall 2022 semester for either undergraduate or post-graduate work.
Of the 27 recipients, four Grand Prize Winners were identified for their outstanding commitment to their communities and passion for making the world a better place. Each Grand Prize Winner received $5,000 in scholarships in memory of Donald Tynes, Sr., SECU’s longest-serving Board member who passed away in March 2022. In honor of his legacy, mentorship and philanthropy, each of the Grand Prize Winners will also receive a donation on behalf of the SECU MD Foundation that will be gifted to a Maryland nonprofit of their choice.
The SECU MD Foundation recognized this year’s winners at an award celebration at SECU’s headquarters in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, on Tuesday, June 28. A full list of the 2022 SECU MD Foundation Scholarship Program Recipients is listed below:
| Scholarship Recipient | College/University |
| Oluwatomilade Akinyelu | University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
| Peter Banyas | Duke University |
| Ruby-Louise Braxton | Duke University |
| Kelly Chen | Johns Hopkins University |
| Devlin Chrystal | University of Maryland, Baltimore County |
| Tyler Cullum | University of Maryland, College Park |
| Lucero Espinal (Grand Prize Winner) | Western Governors University |
| Zachary Essamuah | Stevenson University |
| Theodosia Fobella | University of Maryland, Baltimore |
| Terra Greene | Mississippi State University |
| Kayla Griffith | University of Missouri |
| Daniel He | Northwestern University |
| Roslyn Kelly | Liberty University |
| Gavin Kihn | Towson University |
| Kelli Moreno | Marywood University |
| Rebecca Namubiru | Howard Community College |
| Imani Neal | Stevenson University |
| Brennan Nicholas | Saint Louis University |
| Olabisi Omoniyi-Alake | University of Maryland, College Park |
| Deanna Parker (Grand Prize Winner) | Chesapeake College |
| Luke Peyton (Grand Prize Winner) | Messiah University |
| Malachi Proctor | Delaware State University |
| Jarrell Rice | Morgan State University |
| Monaye Rikard | Morgan State University |
| Faith Seawell | Coppin State University |
| Tamarah Thompson | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences |
| Paris Walker (Grand Prize Winner) | Wright State University |
“The SECU MD Foundation launched its Scholarship Program on the belief that cost should not be a barrier for education and that education could open the door to a brighter future not only for our members but the communities around them,” said Becky Smith, EVP and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for SECU and President of the SECU MD Foundation. “This year, we’re thrilled to expand upon our program and recognize four Grand Prize Winners in honor of Donald, who served as an inspiring role model for many young professionals and who had an endless passion for giving back to his community. We’re truly honored to continue paying Donald’s kindness forward and helping others in his memory.”
Since the program’s inception in 2007, SECU and the SECU MD Foundation have awarded more than $930,000 in scholarships to more than 300 SECU members and their families pursuing higher education. It is part of SECU’s ongoing commitment to support the continuous learning and educational needs of those they serve.
Applications for the 2023 SECU MD Foundation Scholarship Program will open by February 2023. For more information, visit www.secumdfoundation.org/programs/scholarship-program or reach out to secumdfoundation@secumd.com with questions.
The SECU MD Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes a stronger Maryland by empowering access to education, supporting health and wellness, and serving as a catalyst for community development. For more information, visit www.secumdfoundation.org.
CONTACT: Stacey Bollinger
EMAIL: sbollinger@planitagency.com
