Sun publisher: Congratulations to the 2025 Hall of Fame class
Now in its 10th year, The Baltimore Sun's Business and Civic Hall of Fame continues to recognize individuals who have made meaningful, long-term contributions to Baltimore and Maryland. The 2025 class has 13 new honorees, bringing the number of recipients to 122 since the award's inception. Their work spans business, public service, education, philanthropy and other areas that help to improve and shape this region.
The Baltimore Sun has served this region since 1837, committed to holding public figures and powerful institutions accountable. Readers rely on The Sun's role as a watchdog — one that our news organization views as essential to identifying solutions for the region's most pressing challenges.
Part of The Sun's mission also includes celebrating the people here, their unique stories and the progress they make to improve Baltimore and Maryland. The Hall of Fame is one way The Sun highlights those achievements. Other special recognitions throughout the year include Baltimore's Best (July), Women to Watch (October), Top Workplaces (December) and Black Marylanders to Watch (February). We always are looking for new ways to showcase what's special about our region, so please reach out with any suggestions.
Members of our first nine Hall of Fame classes include the late Peter G. Angelos, attorney, philanthropist and once owner of the Baltimore Orioles (2016); Nancy S. Grasmick, former Maryland state schools superintendent ('16); philanthropists Eddie and Sylvia Brown ('16); former U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski ('17); Harbor Bank of Maryland co-founder Joseph Haskins Jr. ('18); former Baltimore Mayor and current University of Baltimore President Kurt Schmoke ('19); former UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski III ('20); the Rev. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr. ('21); former journalist and museum director Wanda Q. Draper ('22); Sherrilyn Ifill, president emerita and director counsel emerita of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund ('23); and William H. 'Billy' Murphy Jr., a former judge and a civil rights lawyer who fights for the underprivileged ('24).
This year's class is made up of: Sandra and Malcolm Berman, philanthropists who have supported regional health care organizations and cultural institutions; Maria Broom, a dancer and actress known for her roles on 'The Wire' and 'The Corner'; George L. Bunting Jr., whose decades of philanthropy have benefited several Baltimore institutions; Scott Dorsey, chairman and CEO of Merritt Companies, who has promoted regional economic development and serves on nonprofit boards; Rhea Feikin, a fixture on Maryland television who became famous for the pledge drives she hosted for Maryland Public Television; William J. 'Bill' McCarthy Jr., retiring executive director of Catholic Charities of Baltimore, who serves on a host of nonprofit boards; Diana Gribbon Motz, retired U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals judge; Alan Rifkin, a lawyer whose work has touched state government and focused on the development of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, redeveloping Maryland's racetracks and establishing the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network; George A. Roche, retired chairman and CEO of T. Rowe Price; Thomas M. Scalea, physician in chief of the University of Maryland Medical Center's Shock Trauma Center; Stuart O. 'Stu' Simms, former chief counsel for Maryland Legal Aid, a former Baltimore City state's attorney, and secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; and Walter Scott Thomas Sr., who stepped down last year as pastor of New Psalmist Baptist Church after half a century of leadership.
The selection process for this year's honorees began with a public call for nominations. A committee of past honorees, alongside members of The Sun's editorial board, reviewed submissions. Nominees were evaluated on their leadership, professional accomplishments and efforts to strengthen their communities. Final decisions were made by The Sun's leadership team.
As in previous years, a portion of the proceeds from this publication will go to charity. This year's partner is The Baltimore Station, which offers programs and services to meet the needs of veterans. Local businesses and nonprofit organizations sponsor the Hall of Fame each year, and their advertisements can be found throughout this section and at baltimoresun.com.
Profiles of this year's honorees appear in the pages of this magazine. Their names will also be added to the permanent Hall of Fame display at The Center Club in downtown Baltimore, which I hope you can visit sometime soon.
During the past decade, The Sun has recognized the individuals who are shaping the future of Baltimore and Maryland. Their work offers a glimpse of what's possible through leadership, vision and sustained community engagement. As a Baltimore native and someone who has attended each of our Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, I am pleased to see how this special recognition has blossomed across the region. It's a testament to the strength of The Sun's brand and to our loyal readers and advertisers who consistently have supported us during the past 188 years.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
Trif Alatzas
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