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Campus News

May 4th, 2019

Garrett College honors STEM benefactor

Oakland native lauded for his commitment to GC and STEM education

Daniel E. Offutt

Pictured in front of the Daniel E. Offutt plaque in the STEM Center are Laura Humphrey and husband Steve, longtime friend of Mr. Offutt; Richard Orenstein, Offutt trustee, and wife Diana Vytell.

The Daniel E. Offutt III STEM Center was formally dedicated Saturday morning at Garrett College, with college, county and state officials praising the late Oakland native and philanthropist for his enduring commitment to STEM education.

"The Offutt Trust endowment is just the latest gift Mr. Offutt has provided Garrett College," said Don Morin, chair of the Garrett College Board of Trustees, in reference to the $2 million STEM endowment provided late last year by the trust. "Speaking on behalf of the Garrett College Board of Trustees, I want to express our appreciation for the continued commitment to Garrett College and STEM education that Mr. Offutt’s estate gift represents."

GC is authorized to use the income generated by the endowment equally for STEM scholarships and STEM equipment upgrades and faculty development. Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president, said the gift "is totally in character for Mr. Offutt."

"During his lifetime, Mr. Offutt established an endowed scholarship to Garrett College that has grown to over $100,000 and will continue to award scholarships in Mr. Offutt’s name," added Midcap. "His latest gift expands on the enduring legacy he has created at the college."

Daniel E. Offutt Ceremony

Pictured (left to right) in front of the Daniel E. Offutt III. STEM Center are: George C. Edwards, MD State Senator; Taylor Donoghue, senior field representative for U.S. Congressman David Trone; Steve Humphrey, longtime friend of Mr. Offutt; Richard Orenstein, Offutt trustee; Wendell Beitzel, MD State Delegate; Paul Edwards, Chairman, Garrett County Board of Commissioners; Jim Hinebaugh, Garrett County Commissioner.

Richard Orenstein, trustee for the Offutt Trust, said Garrett College held a special place in Mr. Offutt’s heart.

"Everything about Dan – his roots and behaviors – started in Garrett County and accompanied him wherever he went," said Orenstein. "His entire life revolved around how he could best spread generosity. Dan’s generosity continues in ways that he himself could never have imagined."

The Offutt gift helped Garrett College and the Garrett College Foundation raise nearly $2.5 million in a capital campaign that had a $500,000 goal.

"Mr. Offutt not only left a most generous financial gift, but also made a very wise and sustaining investment in our STEM initiative," said Susie Crawford, who serves as board chair for the Garrett College Foundation.

State Senator George Edwards, State Delegate Wendell Beitzel, and Board of Garrett County Commission Chair Paul Edwards also praised Mr. Offutt’s commitment to education in general and Garrett College in particular.

"Mr. Offutt worked a lifetime to touch Garrett County and our community in so many ways," said Edwards. "His legacy is well represented through this gift to the Garrett College STEM Center, of which we are tremendously grateful for."

Congressman David Trone was represented by Taylor Donaghue, who serves as Trone’s senior field representative.

The Offutt STEM Center, which opened last September, was a renovation and expansion project that includes classrooms, student spaces, faculty offices and laboratories for physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and robotics.

Daniel E. Offutt Ceremony

From left to right are: Cherie Krug, executive director of the GC Foundation; Richard Midcap, president of GC; Laura and Steve Humphrey, lifetime friends of Daniel E. Offutt III; Richard Orenstein, Offutt trustee and wife Diana Vytell; Susie Crawford, board chair, GC Foundation; Don Morin, chair, GC Board of Trustees.

Daniel E. Offutt Ceremony

Taylor Donoghue, senior field representative for U.S. Congressman David Trone (right), presents Richard Orenstein, Daniel E. Offutt III trustee, with a congressional proclamation.