The Atmospheric and Oceanic Science (AOSC) Graduate Student Support Endowed Fund was generously established by Ferdinand Baer in memory of his wife, Karen K. Baer. Professor Ferdinand Baer arrived at the University of Maryland in 1977 as the director of the program in meteorology. In 1979, Baer was instrumental in establishing the Department of Meteorology and became the first chair of the department. Baer remained in the department as a full professor until retiring in 2002, at which point he became a professor emeritus - a position he continues to hold today.
The AOSC Graduate Student Support Endowed Fund will support merit-based scholarships or fellowships for graduate students in the department. The fund provides opportunities for graduate students to enhance their intellectual abilities, achieve their scientific endeavors and contribute to the discipline of atmospheric and oceanic science.