Established in July 1999 by the family and friends of Ronald O'Leary to honor his memory, his career as an associate professor of theater, professional director and playwright, and his many other contributions and accomplishments in the area of theatre. The income shall be used to provide an annual scholarship for an undergraduate student, who is demonstrating, or has demonstrated, exceptional potential to make contributions to theatre at the University. For more than three decades, Ronald O'Leary was an important member of the University of Maryland family. During his thirty-two year career at the University, he served as associate professor of theater, professional director and playwright. Professor O'Leary taught courses in directing, musical theater and American theater and directed more than thirty campus productions. In addition to his work at the University, Ronald O'Leary was actively involved with many local theater companies. His theater work included writing, adapting and directing at least thirty special projects. It also included consulting, adjudicating and presenting more than fifty lectures, workshops, papers and programs. His work with local theater groups earned him two Helen Hayes Award nominations. To honor his memory, Professor O'Leary's family and friends established an endowed fund to support undergraduate students in the Department of Theater.