Sophomore Gabrielle Tarbert Wins First "Leading Women Maryland's Future" Scholarship

CHESTERTOWN—Washington College sophomore Gabrielle Tarbert is the winner of the Daily Record's first-ever Leading Women "Maryland's Future" scholarship, awarded to one Maryland college student who excels in academics, is involved in the community and demonstrates a commitment to inspiring change.

Tarbert was recognized December 2 in Baltimore at a dinner that also honored the 50 winners of the newspaper’s new Leading Women: Maryland’s Future awards. The scholarship includes a cash award of $1,500 provided by Wachovia. Tarbert’s profile appeared in the Leading Women supplement of the December 3 issue of the The Daily Record, a Baltimore-based publication that covers Maryland’s legal and business news.

This was the first year for the Daily Record’s Leading Women program, which honors businesswomen under age 40 for their “professional experience, community involvement and commitment to inspiring change.” The scholarship acknowledges a college student who shares the same characteristics.

Writing in support of Tarbert’s nomination for the scholarship, Washington College president Mitchell B. Reiss described her as someone who leads by example. “She is an accomplished student-scholar, a leader in our athletic and co-curricular programs, and someone who tirelessly works to promote positive change in the conditions of others,” he wrote. “In sum, Gabby’s example offers us all much optimism and enthusiasm about the future for Maryland and our nation.”

Tarbert’s field hockey coach, Rachel Boyle, was not surprised to see her win. “Gabby takes on responsibilities and excels in what she does, always striving to be better, and always looking to inspire others and give back,” said Boyle.

A varsity field hockey team member and Student Athlete Recruiting Host, Tarbert has combined her athletic interests with her philanthropic ones, joining teammates in their “Saves 4 the Cure” event, which last season raised $3,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She also revamped the college’s commitment to Relay for Life and is currently organizing a full-scale Relay for Life event on campus. She spent her spring break working on a Habitat for Humanity project in Columbus, GA.

Tarbert is a high achiever in the classroom, too; a consistent member of the Dean’s List, she is a member of the prestigious Presidential Fellows, a group of Washington College freshmen and sophomores recognized for their academic talents and promise.

Her many accomplishments are made all the more impressive considering the hardships Gabby has faced since losing her father at a young age. “Life can take a lot of things away from you,” she wrote in her application for admission to Washington College, “but there is nothing that can take away your will to succeed. Our family was broken, but we turned to each and looked within ourselves to make the best of what we had.”

Referring to the 50 businesswomen honored at the dinner, Tarbert said she was “honored and excited to be included in such a great group of women,” and called winning the scholarship a “humbling experience.”

Daily Record publisher and Washington College alumnus Suzanne Fischer-Huettner ’95, who withdrew from the judging panel when she saw that her alma mater had a nominee, was thrilled to see a Shorewoman win this first-ever leadership scholarship. Fischer-Huettner, herself, made Washington College proud when she became the first female publisher of the 122-year-old Daily Record. Her appointment to the post was announced at the Dec. 2 leadership dinner. Fischer-Huettner has risen through the ranks of the newspaper since starting in classified sales in 1996.

In addition to the daily newspaper published five days a week, The Daily Record publishes its website, www.TheDailyRecord.com, plus four blogs, three e-newsletters and a variety of special publications.

Photo: Sophomore Gabby Tarbert is recognized on stage at the awards dinner with Wachovia representative Michele Judman and Daily Record publisher Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, a 1995 alumnus of Washington College.