The Maryland State Department of Education and Citigroup for the sixth straight year feted their Friends of Maryland Education with a downtown Baltimore luncheon Wednesday.
The annual event, part of the American Education Week celebrations, honors five individuals and organizations for their yearlong contribution to Maryland students. Citibank also has partnered with the MSDE for the past six years to fund the Citigroup Schools That Work Institute, providing more than $625,000 to help middle and high school students? academic achievement and preparation for college.
The 2006 individual honorees were Norman Augustine, the retired chairman and chief executive of the Lockheed Martin Corp., and U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md. Augustine led the National Academies panel that authored the influential study Rising Above the Storm? to inform federal policymakers of the education steps necessary to keep the U.S. competitive in the global economy. Cummings helped secure legislation and funding for science and technology education, and research and support for institutions of higher learning and community agencies in the 7th District of Maryland.
Three organizations also were honored: Maryland Public Television, for providing support to statewide teacher development and pioneering online resources for teachers, parents and students that reinforces Maryland curriculum; Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, for their effective use of business partnerships in the education of Maryland?s children; and the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association for a partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education that promotes industry participation in automotive technology programs across the state.
“It is the collaborative efforts and contributions of the individuals and organizations we are honoring that have made Maryland education the best in the country,” state superintendent of schools Nancy Grasmick said, in a written statement.
