Alum Makes Second $1M Gift for Need-Based Scholarships
Longtime UMD Champion Supports Undergrads in Business, BSOS
Albert P. Carey '74 poses with five Maryland Promise Program Scholars (and Testudo) at the 2024 MPP Celebration Luncheon.
Photo by Dylan Singleton
As a middle distance runner, Albert P. Carey ’74 arrived at a glorious time in the University of Maryland’s track and field history. The team won conference championships every year he competed, part of a string of 24 consecutive ACC titles.
The New York native had come to the university on an athletics scholarship. But even his coach felt he was too focused on sports, reminding Carey that he needed to put forth the same amount of discipline on his academics as he did on the track.
Photo by John T. Consoli
“I wasn't coming to UMD if I didn't get that scholarship,” he said, “and I can’t believe what a difference it made in my career to have mentors that built my confidence and changed the way I thought about myself and my expectations of myself in those early days.”
Now Carey, a longtime supporter of UMD, is hoping to help other Terp students succeed by making a second $1 million gift to the Maryland Promise Program, which provides need-based scholarships for undergraduates from underserved populations from Maryland and Washington, D.C. The Albert P. and Victoria V. Carey Maryland Promise Scholarship endowment is matched by the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation and the University of Maryland.
Carey’s 2019 gift to the Maryland Promise Program has supported 13 students in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. His second gift will enlarge the group of scholars enrolled in the Smith School, as well as support a second cohort of scholars in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS). He previously made gifts for scholarships, facilities and programs within Maryland Athletics, the Robert H. Smith School of Business, BSOS and the College of Education.
Sarah Mancho '24 initially intended to work full-time to fund her college education, to avoid putting financial strain on her single mother. Instead, a Maryland Promise scholarship funded by Carey allowed Mancho to finish her information systems degree in three years and without debt.
“Being able to go to college changed everything for me,” said Mancho, who will begin her career as a technology risk assurance consultant at EY this month. “Having a scholarship was truly a blessing, one I will never take for granted.”
Carey majored in urban studies, then housed in BSOS, and earned a student athlete award in his senior year—thanks to his coach’s advice. He served as president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and as a captain of the cross-country team—leadership opportunities that led to Procter & Gamble recruiting him before graduation. He went on to spend nearly 40 years at PepsiCo North America, where he retired as CEO in 2019.
“Al has demonstrated, time and again, his dedication to making a difference,” said Jim Harris, vice president for university relations and president of the University of Maryland College Park Foundation. “His generosity is matched by his keen interest in offering wisdom and mentorship to fellow Terps—as an active alum and volunteer leader.”
Recently, Carey became chair of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, where he hopes to inspire more alums to offer support to the university—no matter how small.
“If you're an alum, big gifts are great, but small gifts are also great,” he said. “I made a small gift with another alum to support a young lady whose family was going through a tough time. Her mom wrote me a thank you letter that I still have today, and I read when I need a little bit of a lift. The feeling of giving is like nothing else, and what’s uncanny is that it seems that giving comes back to you many times over.”
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