Mary H. Beam received her undergraduate degree in physical sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Mary began her career as a bench chemist in the agricultural chemical division of FMC Corporation. However, her career later transitioned to employee safety and health as an Industrial Hygienist for additional employers including Verizon and the U.S. Department of State. At retirement, Mary held national certifications in Industrial Hygiene, Safety, Utility Safety, and Hazardous Materials .
Mary inherited her love of learning from her parents, Reynolds and Thelma Horpel. Her father was a high school history and social studies teacher his entire career. Her mother became a full-time substitute teacher. Growing up in a household that was home to several hundred books and watching her father never stop learning (BA, Johns Hopkins; MA, Dartmouth; and MA, Carnegie Mellon) instilled the importance of education.
Mary’s years at College Park not only paved the way for a remarkable career, but they were also some of the most enjoyable. Mary is extremely thankful for the opportunities her mother and father provided, including her education at College Park. Additionally, the love and support of her late husband of more than 40 years, George E. Beam, Jr., has enabled this gift to be possible. Mary is establishing the Reynolds and Thelma Horpel Maryland Promise Scholarship to give back and enable deserving students to embark on a rewarding career path. It provides need-based scholarships for undergraduate students who are residents of Maryland or the District of Columbia, with preference for students in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.