On the Road with
USM Chancellor Robert L. Caret

Snapshots from the October 2015 statewide listening tour

<< Back to Bus Tour Landing Page

October 12, 2015

Tour Stop: Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (California, MD)

Attendees: More than 30 southern Maryland leaders from the higher education, government, and business corridors.
Highlights: Chancellor Caret noted, "At the System level it's critical we help all parts of the state develop the knowledge economy."

Chancellor Caret emphasized the opportunities available to work with Governor Hogan and former USM Regent Mike Gill, secretary of the recently renamed Maryland Department of Commerce.

State Senator Stephen M. Waugh, parent of a University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) student, expressed his interest in working with the USM "to find ways to reduce the total cost of a bachelor's degree."

Chancellor Caret told the group that for every one dollar invested by the state in the USM, the USM returns $4-5 in tax revenue back to the state as USM graduates enter the workforce.  


Tour Stop: Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (Lusby, MD)

Attendees: Engineers and other specialists at the facility
Highlights: Chancellor Caret received a tour of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Facility and learned that the greatest work force need at Calvert Cliffs is for electrical engineers.

Longtime area CEO Mayo Shattuck, who is chairman of Exelon and participated in the tour, saluted Chancellor Caret, saying "Bob, we're very happy to have you back in Maryland. It is a real victory for the state.”

The group learned about the excellence of the electrical engineering program at UMCP. 


Tour Stop: Under Armour (UA) Headquarters (Baltimore, MD)

Attendees: UA CEO and UMCP graduate Kevin Plank, UMCP President Wallace Loh, and members of the UA staff
Highlights: Kevin Plank showed Chancellor Caret some of UA's marketing campaigns with athletes such as NBA standout Stephon Curry.

Chancellor Caret explained that building support from the state's business community helps to build enhanced support from state government. 

Kevin Plank explained that analysts project UA to grow from a $4 billion company to a $7.5 billion company in three years.  


Tour Stop: Towson University Center in Harford County (Bel Air, MD)

Attendees: Towson University Center students and staff
Highlights: Meeting students and staff from Towson University in Northeastern Maryland was a gratifying experience for Chancellor Caret, who laid the foundation for this endeavor when he was president of Towson University. 


Tour Stop: Mountain Branch Golf Club (Joppa, MD)

Attendees: Business and education officials in Harford County
Highlights: The group discussed challenges in federal financial aid policies that are burdening college graduates.