Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 Endowed Scholarships for Leadership & Education

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Rocky Lopes standing next to UMD President Darryll Pines.

Rocky Lopes standing next to Testudo statue.

Rocky Lopes standing next to Vice President Patty Perillo.

Rocky Lopes standing next to Dean Griffin.

Rocky Lopes in front of the UMD football field.

About the Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 Endowed Scholarship for Leadership

Established in November of 2021, the Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 Endowed Scholarship for Leadership provides merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students through the Division of Student Affairs. Recipients will demonstrate a commitment to leadership within a student organization by being elected to, currently serving, or having completed a term of leadership such as Chair, Vice Chair, President, Vice President, or Committee Chair, on a registered student organization. The student will remain in good academic standing.

A graduate of the College of Education, and an active participant in student leadership activities while on campus, Dr. Lopes' commitment will ensure that future generations of students can have a similarly impactful experience at the University of Maryland with reduced financial burden.

Make a gift to the Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 Scholarship for Leadership

About the Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 Endowed Scholarship in Education

Established in November of 2021, the Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 Endowed Scholarship in Education provides merit-based scholarships for students at the College of Education who wish to become classroom teachers. It's Rocky's hope that his scholarship will provide students with the same great opportunity he had to attend the College of Education which gave him the knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop and implement award-winning education and public safety programs throughout his career in the emergency management profession.

Make a gift to the Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 Scholarship in Education

Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 SALC Founders Award

Dr. Lopes also established the SALC Founders Award, which provides a lifetime membership in the UMCP Alumni Association for each SALC President and a three-year membership for each senior SALC Vice President upon their graduation.

Learn more about the Dr. Rocky Lopes SALC Founders Award

About Rocky Lopes, Ph.D.

The University of Maryland provided me with the knowledge, skills and abilities to develop and implement award-winning education and public safety programs across the U.S. and Canada throughout my career in the emergency management profession.

As a commuter student, I was an active leader for Homecoming, University Sing, the Student Alumni Board (founder), the Student Government Association and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity (founding brother). I was honored to be inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, the student leadership honor society. I also volunteered every week at a local public elementary school where I eventually did my student teaching.

I graduated in 1980 with dual degrees in microbiology and elementary education. I later earned a master's degree from the University of Maryland University College and a Ph.D. in sociology with an emphasis in emergency management from the University of Southern California.

My education prepared me for a fulfilling career, and I held positions with Montgomery County Public Schools and the UMD Facilities Department before moving toward a career in emergency management. I worked for the American Red Cross National Headquarters Disaster Services Department as Manager of Disaster Education for 20 years and was then hired to work with the National Weather Service as a leader for its Tsunami Program. I also served as national faculty for the FEMA Emergency Management Institute and the National Fire Academy.

Combining what I learned to be a teacher with student organization leadership skills as a collaborator (and sometimes "cat-herder"), I organized and supported groups of diverse individuals who shared passions to protect, serve and educate people in all U.S. states and territories. I am proud that throughout my career, I collaborated to build healthier and safer communities, including my life-long home of Silver Spring, MD.

I give to the areas that had the greatest influence on me and my career: the Division of Student Affairs, the College of Education, and the UMD Alumni Association. I hope you read about the extraordinary scholars I have supported and consider making a contribution of your own to expand the support we can provide.