A Tribute to Transform
ACM Foundation Board
President Dr. Audie Klingler
announced in June the creation
of an endowed memorial scholarship
to support students pursing higher
education and provide assistance to the
college’s Aspiring Young MENtors group.
The Elijah E. Cummings Scholarship,
created through a gift of $150,000 to the
Foundation, was established by Cumberland native Bob Powell
in honor of the former congressman’s leadership and legacy.
The Cummings Scholarship is open to full or part-time students
who are U.S. citizens with first preference to Allegany County
residents who demonstrate financial need and meet minimal
academic requirements. Scholarship recipients are selected by
a committee consisting of Richard “Rock” Cioni, Eugene Frazier,
and Laurie Marchini.
Powell, now a resident of Chapel Hill, grew up in Cumberland’s
West Side neighborhood and graduated from Allegany High
School in 1965 – one year after the signing of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964. “I’ve long admired Maryland U.S. Congressman
Cummings’s public service and passionate belief in the power
of education to transform lives. It was a passion instilled in him
by his parents who, despite having little education themselves,
developed learning opportunities for their children and
supported their education.”
The first Elijah E. Cummings Scholarship was awarded to
Gabrielle Salas, a 2020 graduate of Allegany High School and
Respiratory Therapist major, for the fall semester.
continued from page 17
On Friday, August 28, members of the Western Maryland Delegation joined ACM President Cynthia Bambara and the
community for a Western Region Corrections Training Center construction update.
L-R: ACM Trustee Jim Pyles, Board of Trustees Chair Kim Leonard, President Dr. Cynthia Bambara, Delegate Mike
McKay, Congressman David Trone, Senator George Edwards, Delegate Wendell Beitzel, Governor Hogan’s Representative
Mark Widmyer, and MD Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services Secretary Robert Green.
19 ACCESS ACM / Reimagining Dreams
A Father’s Dream,
A Son’s Future
dramatically and his confidence grew after
entering the Pathways program. DeVore
commented on his determination, noting that,
“his leadership and tenacity makes Jeanclaude
one of those standout students that deserve
recognition. He credits several mentors for
helping him in his transformation, and wants to
pay that forward in his chosen career.”
Ndango began thriving in small and big ways.
He was a supportive friend to many, a student
mentor for the TRiO program, a founding
member of the Aspiring Young MENtors student
group, and president of the Omicron Pi Chapter
of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
After graduating with his Human Service
Associate degree in May, Ndango is continuing
his education at ACM through its 3 + 1 program
with Saint Francis University. As a Behavioral
Science major, he’ll complete one more year
of courses at ACM before taking his final year
of coursework at Saint Francis in Loretto,
Pennsylvania, to earn his bachelor’s degree.
He’s continuing to work as a student mentor for
Pathways and be part of AYM’s leadership.
His ultimate goal is to open up his very own
group home for young adults to help them
recognize their own potential and promise, too.