The Robinson Family Endowment has been established through the Garrett College Foundation to support both STEM and the arts at Garrett College. Pictured, left to right (front row), are Garrett College Foundation Executive Director Cherie Krug, Dr. Joshua Robinson, Bill Robinson, and Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap. James Robinson – Joshua’s son and Bill’s grandson – is standing.
The important connections between the STEM and music fields helped inform the giving strategy of Bill Robinson and his sons, Joshua and Jeremy. The Robinson Family Endowment, recently established with the Garrett College Foundation, will support the Mountain Maryland Music Institute (MMMI), children’s programming at the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College, and “Robinson Scholars” in the College’s STEM academic field.
“STEM and the arts are really tied more closely together than many people think,” said Joshua, a professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State University who grew up in Garrett County. “Playing music actually builds some of the same skills that are important to studying the sciences.”
“We wanted to be able to contribute to both STEM and the arts working through the College,” added Bill Robinson, who moved to Garrett County in 1972 and was the first music professor at Garrett College.
Bill and Joshua visited Garrett College on September 20th, along with Joshua’s eldest son, James. While Jeremy was unable to attend in person, Bill and his two sons officially established the Robinson Family Endowment, which will begin yielding spendable earnings in Fiscal Year 2027 to support STEM and the arts.
“I’m so grateful to the Robinson Family for this extremely generous gift, which will support the sciences and the arts at Garrett College in perpetuity,” said Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap. “I appreciate their commitment to both the College and Garrett County.”
Joshua noted that the family’s Garrett College roots run deep.
“I think Jeremy and I were part of the first cohort of high school dual enrollees from the county,” said Joshua. “[Professor of Biology Emeritus] Carolyn Deniker was one of my teachers. She was part of that inspiration I felt in being in college as a high school student.”
Joshua went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Towson University, and a doctoral degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State before eventually returning to his alma mater as a faculty member.
“It’s hard to leave ‘Happy Valley,’ ” remarked Joshua, referring to a well-known nickname for Penn State.
Jeremy followed a similar pathway, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Towson, and his doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. Both brothers completed post-doctorate work at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., and Jeremy stayed on at the lab as a Materials Research Scientist for the Navy.
“I’m grateful to have grown up in such a special place,” said Jeremy. “The thought of creating opportunities for local students in music and science is meaningful because it reflects the same blend of creativity and curiosity that influenced our own journey.”
“They’ve accomplished so much,” Bill said of his sons, “and they’ve seemed happy while doing it.”
James, 15, has retained his family’s twin interests in the sciences and the arts.
“I really enjoy being in marching band, and I am inspired by the cool science my Dad does in his job,” said James.
The Robinson Scholars program will annually provide two student scholarships in STEM. In addition to the financial commitment, Joshua said he hopes to be able to connect some of the Robinson Scholars with Penn State.
“I’d love to see the Robinson Scholars come up to Penn State,” said Joshua. “I’d like to see them be given the same opportunities I was afforded. One of those opportunities is that we can open the door to ‘Big Science’ and ‘Big Research’ at a highly respected research institution that is just a few hours’ drive from GC.”
“The Garrett College Foundation is thrilled to be partnering with the Robinson Family,” said Cherie Krug, executive director of the Garrett College Foundation. “We not only appreciate the gift, but the family’s interest in actively engaging with our Robinson Family Scholars.”
