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SALISBURY, MD---His manner is friendly and thoughtful.  His sense of humor infectious. And working quietly behind the scenes in the corridors of power, ¾Ã¾Ã¹ú²ú¾«Æ·¾Ã¾Ã alumnus Len Foxwell has positively impacted the lives of virtually every Marylander.

The SU Alumni Association honors him with its prestigious Service to Society Award during the University’s 90th-year Fall Commencement on Saturday, December 19, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

Earning his B.A. in political science from SU in 1992, Foxwell has spent most of his career in government. Currently the chief of staff for Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, he formerly served as director of government relations for the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s director of Washington-area transit programs, and the press secretary for Governor Parris Glendening’s successful 1998 re-election campaign.

In analyzing the most influential people in Maryland government, Center Maryland blogger Josh Kurtz said, “There are plenty of operatives out there who are talented and indispensable to their principals. But only Foxwell has actually changed the trajectory of Maryland politics,” crediting him with helping to shape the political careers of not only Franchot, but other elected officials.

Prior to joining the Comptroller’s Office in 2007, Foxwell served as SU’s assistant to the President for government and community relations. “He continues to be a tremendous advocate for SU throughout Annapolis on both sides of party lines,” said SU President Janet Dudley Eshbach.

Foxwell has remained active at SU as a member of the Alumni Association’s board of directors, a classroom speaker, and a past board member for the University’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement. He also is active in his home community of Easton, MD, where he coaches Little League and teaches Character Counts! at Easton Elementary School. While a student at SU, he was part of the Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program.

In addition to Foxwell, the Alumni Association also honors four SU faculty at Commencement with its annual Faculty Appreciation Awards. This year’s recipients are Drs. Michael O’Loughlin of the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts, Stephen Gehnrich of the Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, Richard Hoffman of the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, and Carol Wood of the Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies.

The Commencement speaker is Erin Casey of Middletown, MD, who receives her B.A. in history and secondary education. Her time in Middletown helped influence her decision to attend SU when considering colleges.

“When I visited the campus, I felt like SU had a great community,” she said. “I’m from a small town, so that was important to me.”

She said her time at the University was transformative, from studying abroad in Scotland to interning at local schools, including Mardela Middle and High School in Mardela Springs, MD, and Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, MD. She also attended the National Association of Professional Development Schools Conference.

Two SU professors — Drs. Joel Jenne and Ron Siers of the Education Specialties Department — made an especially powerful impact on her that she hopes to carry into her own classroom.

“They taught the way we’re supposed to teach,” she said.

After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school or pursue a teaching career. For her fellow graduates whose plans are more fluid, she offered some advice:

“If you’re stressing out because you aren’t sure what you’re going to do next — don’t. It’s normal to not have everything figured out. Take it a day at a time, work hard and take advantage of opportunities. You’ll find your next step along the way.”

Among undergraduates, 574 students receive the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. Some 74 receive master’s degrees.

Admission to Commencement is by ticket only. A reception at the Civic Center follows. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.