Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 Student Alumni Leadership Council Founders Award

Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 helped to kick off the year with the 2024 cohort of the SALC.

Established in 2022, the Dr. Rocky Lopes SALC Founders Award provides a Lifetime Membership in the University of Maryland Alumni Association for each SALC President upon graduation, and effective in 2023, a three-year membership for each senior SALC Vice President upon their graduation. Lopes founded and served as President of the Student Alumni Board in 1978 which set the framework for today’s SALC. He became an Alumni Association Lifetime member on his graduation, and desires that SALC leaders receive Alumni Association memberships as well as his legacy gift.

Contributions in support of this fund can be made online.

Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 helped to kick off the year with the 2024 cohort of the SALC.

In addition to the SALC Founders Award, the Dr. Rocky Lopes ’80 SALC Program Support Fund for the Alumni Association provides programmatic support for the University of Maryland Alumni Association student engagement programs. Funds may be used for expenses related to student engagement program operations as well as for current and future Alumni Association programs and initiatives designed to support and engage educational opportunities for students and the general University of Maryland community, especially for Pre-K through Grade 12 students.

Contributions in support of this fund can be made online.

Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 posing with Testudo in 1977.

The University of Maryland provided me with the knowledge, skills and abilities to develop and implement award-winning education and public safety programs across the U.S. and Canada throughout my career in the emergency management profession.

As a commuter student, I was an active leader for Homecoming, University Sing, the Student Alumni Board (founder), the Student Government Association and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity (founding brother). I was honored to be inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, the student leadership honor society. I also volunteered every week at a local public elementary school where I eventually did my student teaching.

I graduated in 1980 with dual degrees in microbiology and elementary education. I later earned a master's degree from the University of Maryland University College and a Ph.D. in sociology with an emphasis in emergency management from the University of Southern California.

My education prepared me for a fulfilling career, and I held positions with Montgomery County Public Schools and the UMD Facilities Department before moving toward a career in emergency management. I worked for the American Red Cross National Headquarters, Disaster Services Department for 20 years and was then hired to work with the National Weather Service as a leader for its Tsunami Program. I also served as national faculty for the FEMA Emergency Management Institute and the National Fire Academy.

Testudo and Dr. Rocky Lopes '80 cheering on the Terps football team together.

Combining what I learned to be a teacher with student organization leadership skills as a collaborator (and sometimes "cat-herder"), I organized and supported groups of diverse individuals who shared passions to protect, serve and educate people in all U.S. states and territories. I am proud that throughout my career, I collaborated to build healthier and safer communities, including my life-long home of Silver Spring, MD.

I give to the areas that had the greatest influence on me and my career: the Division of Student Affairs, the College of Education, and the UMD Alumni Association. I hope you read about the extraordinary scholars I have supported and consider making a contribution of your own to expand the support we can provide.