Kevin Ford '08 and David Barnhart recently became the youngest donors to support Athletics in the University of Maryland's 1856 Society, a community of donors whose transformational gifts to Maryland have reached $1 million or more, or a planned gift of $5 million or more.

Ford, who swam for the Terps, is the sixth Maryland Athletics letterwinner to join the 1856 Society and the first swimmer. Additionally, 26 letterwinners are members of Maryland Athletics' Victory Circle, which celebrates donors who have made gifts or pledges of $50,000 or more.



Maryland Athletics also works in conjunction with the M Club Foundation to support letterwinner events, programs, and initiatives. The M Club boasts more than 1,000 dues-paying members and annually contributes more than six figures to Maryland Athletics toward operating needs, graduating student-athlete resources and post-graduate scholarships, capital projects, and more.

Ford and Barnhart's recent contributions support the Director of Athletics Fund; their past generosity has included gifts to the Impact Fund and the Athletics Gift Fund.

"We recognize and appreciate the constantly evolving nature of collegiate athletics and are impressed with the innovative leadership of [Barry P. Gossett Athletics Director] Jim Smith," Ford and Barnhart said. "We are thrilled to be a part of his transformation of Maryland Athletics and wanted to provide unrestricted gifts as a show of support for his leadership of the athletics department and his ability to navigate these complex times and put the Terps in a position to succeed both now and in the future."

Ford graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. He swam for the Terps for two years, from 2003 to 2005, and competed in sprint freestyle events as well as sprint relay teams. He was part of the school's record-setting 200 freestyle relay team with a mark of 1:20:77. Barnhart is the founding partner and CEO of LSG, a leading nationwide communications agency providing strategy to Fortune 500's, C-suite executives, trade associations, and non-profits. Our campaign for the Fearless
Gifts toward the Director of Athletics Fund support Forward: The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless, a $2.5 billion fundraising initiative in support of expanding access to UMD's top-tier education, accelerating groundbreaking research and building stronger communities. Maryland Athletics aims to raise at least $350M as part of the Forward campaign, elevating priorities that fit into four fundraising objectives: Elevate a championship culture; empower young people to realize their full potential; mold tomorrow's leaders today; and foster success through community. Those interested in learning more about how they can participate in the Forward campaign are encouraged to click HERE or contact the Terrapin Club at 301-314-7020 or tclub@umd.edu.