Campus News

GCF's Krug named Chamber Volunteer of the Year

McHenry resident lauded for Heritage Area, Rotary Club work

Cherie Krug, executive director of the Garrett College Foundation, is presented with the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award by Nick Sharps, the Chamber's membership development manager.

Cherie Krug, executive director of the Garrett College Foundation, has been selected as the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year.

Krug's selection was announced Thursday night at the annual Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting and Dinner, which took place at Wisp Resort. Nick Sharps, the Chamber's membership development manager, presented Krug with the award.

Sharps recognized Krug's work as a member of the board of directors for the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West (MMGTW) Heritage Area.

"In the nine years that Cherie has served on the grants committee, the Heritage Area has awarded over $2 million to local non-profits and jurisdictions for heritage-related projects that support heritage tourism in Garrett County," said Sharps. "She has helped to grow the Heritage Area's economic impact to over $155 million."

Krug, who also serves on the Heritage Area's marketing committee, became vice chair of the organization's advisory board this past March.

"Cherie and her husband, Ron, can be found each year volunteering at Victorian Chautauqua and various other local events," added Sharps. "In addition to the Heritage Area, Cherie volunteers with the Oakland Rotary Club."

"I was so surprised to receive this award from the Chamber," said Krug. "I thoroughly enjoy my volunteer work with the Heritage Area Advisory Board as my passion is to preserve the very rich history of Garrett County."

"Cherie is a dedicated leader in our community," said Carissa Rodeheaver, who is president, CEO and board chair for First United Bank & Trust, which served as sponsor of this year's Chamber event. "She unselfishly immerses herself in many non-profit groups, giving endlessly of her time and energy to strengthen our community.

"I admire her dedication to each group she serves, but particularly her commitment to the Garrett College Foundation," added Rodeheaver, who is also vice chair of the Foundation. "It's my pleasure to work beside her to provide opportunity for higher education to our very deserving students."

Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College's president, also praised Krug's selection by the Chamber.

"Cherie is deeply committed to strengthening our community and helping those in need," said Midcap. "As just one example, she is very involved in addressing food insecurity among Garrett College students. She made it her mission to endow our food pantry to help address food insecurity issues among our students."

Krug, a graduate of the State University of New York at Oneonta, has served as executive director of the Garrett County Foundation and director of development for Garrett College since 2013. Prior to coming to Garrett College, Krug spent 15 years at Frostburg State University in a variety of positions, capped off by service as FSU's director of major gifts.

While at FSU, Krug was instrumental in the revitalization of an AmeriCorps program of community service. She also was co-chairwoman of the United Way of Allegany County Campaign Committee and played a key role in establishing the Volunteer center of Allegany County.

The McHenry resident has successfully led back-to-back major Garrett College Foundation campaigns. The Offutt STEM Center campaign raised just under $2.4 million (on a $500,000 goal) and the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College campaign is on track to eclipse its $2.5 million goal when that campaign finishes this summer.

Krug also led an effort from 2017-19 that guaranteed ongoing fiscal sustainability for the I Can Swim! Program. Funding for that program, which provides swimming and water safety lessons for the county's kindergartners, was nearly exhausted, but now has a reserve fund along with regular annual donors to ensure its financial future.

The Chamber of Commerce established the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2011 to recognize individuals who have provided outstanding service to the Chamber.