Citi Foundation and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) honored four "Friends of Maryland Education" today during the 2007 Citi Salute to Friends of Maryland Education Awards Luncheon at The Tremont Grand in downtown Baltimore. The event, part of the American Education Week celebrations, honored these individuals and organizations for their dedication to the education of students in Maryland.
The 2007 honorees include: Individual: Charles I. Ecker; Government: Congressman Steny H. Hoyer; Organization: Verizon Foundation; and, Business/Industry: McDonald's Family of Greater Baltimore.
"We are extremely proud to sponsor this awards program," said Mary McDowell, President and CEO of CitiFinancial. "This year's honorees demonstrate tremendous dedication to improving or enhancing opportunities for Marylanders. The future is much brighter for Maryland's children because of the vision, leadership, and caring provided by those we honor today."
"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," said Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. "Together, we can help students achieve academic success as they prepare for their futures."
The Citi Foundation has partnered with MSDE for the past seven years to fund the Citi Schools That Work Institute and, to date has provided more than $725,000 to help middle and high schools support students' academic achievement as they prepare for college and careers.
"Our businesses are very serious about playing a positive role in our communities," said Dave Lucchino, Senior Vice President and Director of Mortgage Servicing Operations for Citi. "Through thousands of employee volunteer hours and significant funding initiatives we support causes that make our communities better because we are there. Educating the next generation is one of the most important responsibilities for any society. We work with partners like the Maryland State Department of Education to make Maryland schools the best they can be for our children."
"I am tremendously grateful for Citi's legendary generosity and their on-going commitment to raising student achievement in Maryland," said Dr. Grasmick.
The Citi Schools That Work Institute is designed to develop strategies to improve learning and increase student achievement. In partnership with Citi Foundation, MSDE's Division of Career Technology and Adult Learning is helping Maryland educators improve teaching and learning by engaging schools in strategizing and implementing school reform efforts. The Institute consists of workshops conducted by successful practitioners and includes team action planning, which is followed by onsite, school coaching. Eighteen school systems and seventy-seven high schools and middle schools have participated in the Institute and have received guidance on how to implement full-scale reform efforts that require changes in school policies, programs and procedures as well as changes in beliefs, assumptions, expectations and habits that constitute the norm. The Institute focuses on four components that serve as the basis in a school's reform efforts: Career Technology Education Pathway Program Development, Data-based Decision Making, Career Counseling and Advisement System Implementation, and Shared or Distributive Leadership through Professional Learning Communities. Ultimately, students receive the support they need to prepare for success in school and as they move forward into postsecondary education and careers.
Citi, the preeminent global financial services company with some 200 million customer accounts in more than 100 countries, provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, insurance, securities brokerage, and asset management.