Lou CortinaAfter detailing the many ways in which the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) improves the human condition and serves the public good, Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, spoke during his inauguration Nov. 5 about how UMB would meet the challenges of the future. With his six grandchildren sitting beside him as he concluded his speech, the forward-looking message hit home.
“These are my grandchildren, but I don’t just see my grandchildren,” Jarrell said. “I see your grandchildren. I see grandchildren in West Baltimore. I see grandchildren on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I wonder, What will their future be 50 years from now? I can’t answer that question. But I can ask the question of ‘What can we do today to make their futures bright?’”
With that, Jarrell announced that his lifelong friend, Lawrence Hayman, chairman of H&M Bay, Inc., a logistics and storage company based on the Eastern Shore, where they both grew up, had pledged nearly $18 million to create two endowments at UMB. One is focused on cancer research and the other will aid students from Eastern Shore counties who want to attend UMB. The funding also will be used to provide incentives for care providers to practice in that region.
“That is a wonderful gift,” Jarrell said as the crowd of about 400 invited guests stood and applauded. “That’s a commitment to UMB. That’s a commitment to Maryland.”
A Central Theme: Commitment to Maryland
“Commitment to Maryland” was the theme of Jarrell’s inauguration, which came about 14 months after the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents selected him as UMB’s seventh president, succeeding Jay A. Perman, MD. Before that, Jarrell served eight months as interim president, beginning the role two months before the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded.
President Jarrell prepares for the ceremony, which came about 14 months after he was appointed by the University System of Maryland. 
Among President Jarrell’s guests at the inauguration were University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman, MD (left) and University of Maryland, College Park President Darryll J. Pines, PhD, MS (right). 
The University mace was carried by Ida Powell, custodial lead, Environmental Services, who is among the many front-line employees whose job has required them to stay on campus during the pandemic. 
Russell McClain, JD, professor and associate dean for diversity and inclusion, Francis King Carey School of Law, sings the national anthem during President Jarrell’s inauguration.
The inauguration was held in a covered outdoor setting in front of UMB’s Saratoga Building and featured representatives from other Maryland colleges, local government, and private industry. Yumi Hogan, first lady of Maryland, and James D. Fielder Jr., PhD, Maryland Secretary of Higher Education, were in attendance, with Fielder reading a proclamation from Gov. Larry Hogan commemorating the occasion.
Joann Boughman, PhD, senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, USM, served as emcee, expressing her gratitude that those attending the inauguration could gather safely during “this unprecedented time of COVID-19.” The pandemic, as well as Jarrell’s leadership and UMB’s response to it, also were themes that were woven through much of the two-hour, 10-minute ceremony.
Jarrell spoke glowingly of the School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD), its research on COVID-19 vaccines and the center’s contributions to the fight against the pandemic. Linda R. Gooden, MBA, chair of the USM Board of Regents, lauded Jarrell for bringing out the best in his colleagues during the pandemic and facing the challenge head-on. And Perman — now the USM chancellor — added that perhaps it was serendipity that Jarrell was elevated to the presidency during such a perilous time.
‘The Magic of UMB’
Officially installing Jarrell as president, Gooden presented him with the University medallion, saying it “represents UMB’s traditions. Wearing it signifies your commitment to this institution. And its weight serves as a reminder of the heavy responsibilities you must carry.” Perman then read his charge of office, instructing Jarrell to “advance the work of this extraordinary University.”
Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System, thanked President Jarrell for leading with “grace and humility” as the two institutions teamed up to respond to the pandemic. 
Linda R. Gooden, MBA, chair of the USM Board of Regents, formally installed President Jarrell while USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman, MD, read his charge of office. 
Yumi Hogan, first lady of Maryland, and James D. Fielder Jr., PhD, Maryland Secretary of Higher Education, were in attendance, with Fielder reading a proclamation from Gov. Larry Hogan commemorating the occasion. 
Aishwarya Iyer, MD/PhD student, UMSOM, and president, University Student Government Association, was among the speakers.
After the investiture, Jarrell took a seat and talked about the impact of UMB’s professional schools and programs. He praised the work done by UMSOM’s CVD as well as the school’s Institute for Genome Sciences, Institute of Human Virology, and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. He discussed the School of Nursing’s Conway Scholarships, which provide financial aid to nursing students. He talked about the Francis King Carey School of Law’s Environmental Law Program and how its initiatives have had an effect on curbing air and water pollution.
At the School of Pharmacy, Jarrell noted, the PATIENTS Program gives members of the community a voice in how research is conducted and helps build trust between UMB and its neighbors. He touted the School of Social Work’s partnership with the B’more for Healthy Babies initiative, which has resulted in a dramatic decrease in infant mortality in Upton/Druid Heights. And he commended the School of Dentistry for its annual Mission of Mercy events that provide free dental services to underserved populations in Baltimore City.
“When I look at UMB today, I see an environment that encourages innovation and creativity,” Jarrell said. “I’m surrounded by creative people who are committed to improving the health and well-being of the people around us, of the community around us. That is the magic of UMB.”
‘We Are Up to the Challenge’
The event also featured recognition of UMB’s inaugural Distinguished University Professors and an 11-minute biographical video about Jarrell. From the stage, there was praise from speakers representing the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, and University Student Government Association. And Harry C. Knipp, MD, FACR, chair of the UMB Foundation (UMBF) Board of Trustees, announced that UMBF has established the Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, UMB Presidential Inauguration Fund to benefit University projects or causes at Jarrell’s discretion.
And, in another nod to UMB’s pandemic response, the University mace was carried by Ida Powell, custodial lead, Environmental Services, who is among the many front-line employees whose job has required them to stay on campus during the pandemic.
President Jarrell spoke glowingly of the School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health during his inauguration speech. 
Lawrence Hayman, chairman of H&M Bay, Inc., a logistics and storage company based on the Eastern Shore, talks about President Jarrell, his lifelong friend. Hayman pledged nearly $18 million to create two endowments at UMB. 
“Commitment to Maryland” was the theme of President Jarrell’s inauguration, which came about 14 months after the USM Board of Regents selected him as UMB’s seventh president. 
After the investiture, President Jarrell took a seat at the center of the stage and talked about the impact of UMB’s professional schools and programs.
“Ida has worked at UMB for 26 years, and she exemplifies our core values,” Jarrell said. “She and her colleagues have been here every day since COVID hit, and that is true for many UMB staff — from Facilities, Environmental Services, the UMB Police Department, as well as doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals. We could not have met our mission without Ida and all of her colleagues.”
Jarrell wrapped up his speech by detailing his commitments as president, which included pledges to work for equity and justice, promote innovation and discovery, collaborate with partners around the state, and endeavor to attract the best students, faculty, and staff. He closed by saying that when new hurdles are placed in UMB’s way, the University will be well-prepared to clear them.
“When the next challenge comes along, UMB and all within it will step up to serve our fellow Marylanders,” Jarrell said. “The impact will be far-reaching. And we are up to the challenge. Bring it on! That is my vision for UMB, and it will make Maryland a much better place to live.”
