About Ronald S. Fountain
Ronald S. Fountain was a graduate of the University of Maryland and a prominent Black business corporate executive. Mr. Fountain was particularly concerned about the inability of disenfranchised youth to succeed without a college degree. As a way to honor their husband, son, and father, the Fountain Family has chosen to create a scholarship that will provide support for a current University of Maryland student with significant financial need to further her or his education and graduate with a college degree.
About the Fund
Through the generosity of the Fountain family, the Ronald S. Fountain Family TerpStart Endowed Scholarship was established in 2013 to support an undergraduate student with significant financial need to complete his or her education.
Meet Our Scholars
Nhi is a senior at the University of Maryland studying information science and aiming for a future in project management. When not in class, Nhi is either working part-time or building skills through military training. Juggling school, work, and the military has taught Nhi how to stay on top of things, work well with different people, and keep projects moving forward.
Nhi Vu (2025-2026 Scholar)
Past Scholars
Daniel Ruilova Rodriguez (2024-2025 Scholar)
Daniel Ruilova Rodriguez is a Junior at Maryland University. He is pursuing studies on a Bachelor of Public Health Science degree. Daniel is the first immigrant in his family to enlist in the U.S. Army and start college. His work as an Operating Room Specialist helped him to discover his love of medicine and motivated him to help those in need. Becoming an ER/Surgical Physician Assistant will help Daniel fulfill his ultimate dream of significantly impacting civilian and military communities.
Antonia Achu (2023-2024 Scholar)
Antonia Akiko Ntsang Achu is a sophomore at the University of Maryland. She is pursuing a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Government and Politics with a Concentration in International Affairs. She has a minor in Military Science (Army ROTC). Antonia is also a Private First Class in the Maryland Army National Guard.
Marvellous Achugbu (2022-2023 Scholar)
Marvellous Achugbu is the current Project Team Lead of UMD Design, Build, and Fly Team. It is a capstone project for the Aerospace engineering major (Airtrack). Marvellous and his group design, build, and Fly radio controlled aircrafts to meet specific missions.
Diamond Valentine (2017 - 2018 Scholar)
Yaggya Thappa (2019-2020 Scholar)
Yaggya is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology at the School of Public Health. As a Health Care Specialist for five years in the US Army, Yaggya provided primary edical care, emergency medical treatments and preventive health trainings at garrison and in deployment in Kuwait and Poland. Yaggya hails from Nepal and a long line of military family members. His grandfather served in the Indian Armed Force and his father served in the British Army. Upon graduation, he intends to continue providing service to veterans as a Rehabilitation Therapist. Yaggya and his wife are expecting their first child in a few months.
Marwin Glenn (2015-2016 Scholar)
Click here to view a short video of Marwinn discussing the impact of the Fountain Scholarship on his time at UMD.
Christopher Taylor (2013-2014 Scholar)
How to Apply
For more information, please contact us at, 301-314-4900 or sagiving@umd.edu.