The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has renamed its Fine Arts Center at the La Plata Campus to the Hank Willoughby Foundation Center for the Arts, recognizing the foundation’s enduring contributions to student achievement. The renaming ceremony on February 7, 2025, honored the foundation’s role in helping students overcome financial barriers and achieve academic success.
A Legacy of Educational Support
For more than a decade, the Hank Willoughby Scholarship Foundation has provided financial assistance to students in Southern Maryland who demonstrate financial need. Established in 2013, the foundation has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to more than 200 students.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, 50 students benefited from the foundation’s support, receiving a total of $250,000 in scholarships. Trustee Robert Price emphasized the foundation’s commitment to continuing its mission.
“Our goal has always been to ensure that financial need doesn’t stand in the way of higher education,” Price said. “CSM has been a great partner in this mission, and we look forward to continuing to provide these opportunities.”
The Meaning Behind the Renaming
The renaming of the Fine Arts Center carries special significance for the foundation. Hank Willoughby, for whom the foundation is named, was a gifted musician who played in the band for Washington, D.C.’s professional football team at just 16 years old. He passed away from cancer as a high school senior in 1964, inspiring his mother, Clara F. Willoughby Smith, to establish the foundation in his honor.
CSM President Yolanda Wilson reflected on the foundation’s impact on students and the community.
“The arts have long been a space for creativity, learning, and self-expression,” Wilson said. “Now, this center will bear the name of a foundation that has made it possible for so many students to pursue their dreams.”
Students Benefiting From the Foundation’s Support
Several scholarship recipients spoke about the impact the foundation has had on their education. Nursing student Kylee Johnson shared how the scholarship has allowed her to fully dedicate herself to her studies.
“This scholarship has given me the opportunity to focus on my education without financial worries,” Johnson said. “Because of this support, I can develop the skills needed to provide the best possible care to my future patients.”
Llana Paco, another scholarship recipient, originally planned to take a break before starting a graduate program in speech-language pathology. Instead, she was able to continue her studies immediately, thanks to the foundation’s support.
“The Hank Willoughby Foundation saw my potential and provided financial assistance that made it possible for me to move forward with my education,” Paco said. “My family and I were incredibly grateful.”
Now a speech pathologist, Paco works with about 50 students across two schools.
“You helped just one student at CSM,” she said at the ceremony, “and now I am helping to change the lives of 50 young students.”
A Lasting Partnership
The renaming of the Fine Arts Center reflects the strong partnership between the Hank Willoughby Foundation and CSM. Wilson expressed appreciation for the foundation’s role in expanding opportunities for students.
“This center will serve as a lasting reminder of what can be accomplished when we work together,” Wilson said. “Through the generosity of the Hank Willoughby Foundation, countless students will continue to benefit for years to come.”
The event concluded with a dedication recognizing the foundation’s contributions and reaffirming the shared commitment to making education accessible for all students.
