Kate OstrowskiThe Distinguished Service Award is granted annually at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Founders Week Gala to recognize the outstanding achievements of a volunteer — or team of volunteers — who has substantially contributed to enhancing and sustaining UMB’s mission.
At the 2020 Gala, held virtually for the first time, Marco and Debbie Chacón, founders of the Alicia & Yaya Foundation, were awarded this honor from the UMB Foundation (UMBF). The Chacóns have been valued members of the UMB community for many years, generously supporting entrepreneurial, philanthropic, and educational initiatives. Most recently, the Alicia & Yaya Foundation has provided generous and timely support for initiatives focused on science, education, children, and the less fortunate.
In 2009, the Chacóns moved the company they founded, Paragon, to the University of Maryland BioPark, and it quickly grew to become the largest company there, employing hundreds and collaborating extensively with UMB. In 2014, Marco Chacón joined UMBF as a trustee and has been a consistent source of advice and counsel as well as an advocate, leader, and trusted mentor regarding the strategic direction of the interdisciplinary Graduate School.
The Alicia & Yaya Foundation has always prioritized supporting those when they need it most. In 2019, the foundation established the Alicia & Yaya Global Fellowship Program to enhance global learning experiences, support innovation in global health, and foster relations between UMB and institutions in Costa Rica.
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation supported the Graduate School Student Emergency Fund to help students alleviate unexpected financial difficulties brought on by the crisis. The foundation also provided support to sustain operations and complete the final phase of construction of UMB’s new Community Engagement Center. Finally, it pledged support to a new cohort of UMB CURE Scholars as they receive innovative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming and academic support from sixth grade to high school graduation and beyond.
“We sincerely believe in the mission of UMB, which is to improve the human condition and serve the public good,” Marco Chacón said. “It is gratifying to know our philanthropic support of the University will help others in different and meaningful ways. Our hope is that the work of the Alicia & Yaya Foundation will inspire others to give to UMB as well — be it gifts of time, talent, or treasure.”
UMBF recognizes the Chacóns and their dedication to UMB, our students, our community, and innovations in global health and education.
