Wally Pinkard is Chairman and CEO of the Baltimore-based commercial and industrial real estate firm Colliers Pinkard, serves on the International Governing Committee of the USA Board of the world-wide Colliers International real estate organization, and is a Director of Brown Advisory & Trust Co. and The Baltimore Life Companies. He served on MICA's Board from 1982 to 1990, chairs the Board of Advisors of The Johns Hopkins Nursing School, is past Chairman of the Baltimore Community Foundation and past Co-Chair of the Safe & Sound Campaign to improve the health and welfare of Baltimore's children. He is President of the France-Merrick Foundation and Chairman of the Hippodrome Foundation. Mary-Ann retired as Special Events Coordinator of Catholic Charities of Baltimore and serves on the boards of the Maryvale Preparatory School and the Maryland SPCA, among others.

The Pinkards' involvement with MICA has mirrored the personal energy they invest in other civic activities on behalf of Baltimore, hosting dinners at four annual galas, and developing support for such MICA initiatives as the Community Arts Partnerships program and the current renovation of the Mount Royal Station. Wally's father, Walter D. Pinkard, served on MICA's Board from 1957 to 1973. Pinkard Gallery in MICA's Bunting Center is named in honor of the family's long-term support.

Mary-Ann:

I first got involved with MICA when Wally toldme we were "hosting a table or something" at Artafare. It turned out to be one of the best experiences I've had, especially working with the students. Their talent, energy, and ability to take an idea and transform it into something really terrific-that's the kind of creativity that will take us to the next level. I believe that in Baltimore, which is such a city of promise and facing such challenges, you have to deal with the basic human needs first. My involvement at MICA has helped me to better understand the importance of the arts in the community.

Wally:

I think MICA should be on the list of the three or four most important institutions in town. It is one of the very few truly national institutions in Baltimore, the kind of institutional jewel that not many cities can boast of having. I became involved because I understood Fred's role in the community. Very few institutional leaders are able to serve as advisors to their communities in a way that transcends institutional self-interest and reveals a greater vision for the community. Fred has been able to do that. 

Mary-Ann:

When you see the Hippodrome Theater and the new energy on the West Side of Baltimore, which MICA's presence definitely supports, I think we are on the brink of the kind of change we saw in Baltimore with the Inner Harbor. There is tremendous momentum in Baltimore today.

The arts are critical to a vibrant and healthy community. And at MICA the arts are being nurtured and grown. Its campus serves as a gateway to the revitalization of the community. The continued development of the campus has been phenomenal. I have been impressed with how MICA can finance and creatively structure the growth of its facilities. It's great for city. I remember when endowment was miniscule, and that certainly isn't the case today. The level of support the College receives is a reflection on the recognition of its importance. MICA plays a role well beyond the education that happens here.