Grants to Benefit Women

Funding important and life-changing programs and experiences for our students, and those who lead and mentor them, is at the heart of our work, through the grants we award and programming we offer. Our circle of members, and their collective giving power, make it possible.

The Tall-Wiedefeld Society awarded $25,200 to six worthy programs in FY 2026:

• Engineering-focused summer camp with highly engaging science projects ($5,000)
  Dr. Jia-An Yan, Professor, Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences
  Grant support will establish an engineering-focused one-week summer camp at TU. Twelve middle school students will develop highly engaging, hands-on science projects including: building a wireless controlled solar car or wind turbine, creating a fruit-powered battery and designing an electric motor and allow for exploration of various scientific principles like renewable energy, physics, chemistry and engineering. By actively involving both TU students and young campers, the proposed camp will enhance TU’s visibility within local communities, allowing TU to play a significant role in fostering the next generation of engineers and scientists.
  
• Towson University Sonia Kovalesky Day – Math Outreach for Middle School Girls ($4,200)
  Dr. Sandy Spitzer, Chair and Professor, Department of Mathematics
  Dr. Zosha Stuckey, Professor, Department of English
  The Mathematics Department at Towson University has a goal of more deeply engaging with our community for the purpose of advancing mathematics education across the region. In alignment with that goal, we will hold the inaugural Sonia Kovalesky Day (SK Day) in Fall 2026. SK Days, named for Sonia Kovalesky, the first woman to earn a PhD in Mathematics, is a national outreach program organized by the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM). Universities invite young people to campus (particularly aimed at middle school girls) for a day of mathematics enrichment activities and mathematical community- and identity-building.
• National Girls and Women’s Sports Day Expansion Initiative ($4,000)
  Dahne Brown-Boyer, Director of Student-Athlete Experience, TU Athletics
  TU Athletics will expand its annual National Girls and Women's Sports Day celebration into a comprehensive community and educational engagement event. This program builds upon the successful mini youth clinic and game-day celebration, which has drawn 400-600 participants annually over the past two years.
• GIVE Technology Capacity- REPEAT GRANT WINNER ($3,000)
  Dr. Carrie Grant, Associate Professor, Department of English
  Grant writing in Valued Environments (G.I.V.E.) is a BTU Priority Investment initiative in Towson University’s English Department. It advances students’ professional writing and community engagement skills by connecting coursework with the real-world needs of small, under-resourced nonprofits in Baltimore City and County.
• Unearthing TU’s History ($3,000)
  Dr. Christian Koot, Chair and Professor, Department of History
  The Unearthing Towson’s History Project positions student researchers as agents of change in the development of a more authentic University history by connecting alumni and the wider community with the University.
• 1776: The Musical ($3,000)
  Louise Miller, Executive Director, Summer at the Center, Center for the Arts
  1776: The Musical which reimagines one of America's defining moments-the signing of the Declaration of Independence-through a bold, contemporary lens. A concert version of the play is presented as part of the Summer at the Center Arts Festival, that will feature a multiracial ensemble of female actors portraying the nation's founders, reclaiming a narrative historically told exclusively by men.
• Women in Sport ($3,000)
  Jordan Carr, Assistant Director, Competitive Sports, Campus Recreation
  Towson University Campus Recreation is launching the Women in Sport Initiative to create pathways for women to pursue careers in sports officiating and administration. This project addresses the severe underrepresentation of women in officiating—only 18% nationally and 14% at the high school level in Maryland—despite significantly higher female participation in youth sports.

Grants Committee

Michele Renaud '85, Chair

Elaine Anderson
Dorothy Anderson
M. Sharon Curran '79
Anne Currie '15
Sarah Grebow
Jill Max '91
Vonnie Shields 
Sally Snell '67, Tall-Wiedefeld Society Chair

Ex Officio 
Donnice Brown '91, '94
Melanie Kelleher
Sarah Metzgar