New Portrait Honors Late Philanthropist Richard A. Henson

SALISBURY, MD---The late Richard A. Henson, an Eastern Shore philanthropist and founder of the Henson School of Science and Technology at Salisbury University, was honored today at the unveiling of an impressionistic portrait in the impressive science facility which bears his name.

The oil painting, by award-winning artist Jamie Adams of St. Louis, hangs in the main lobby of Henson Science Hall at SU, one of the largest science facilities of its kind in Maryland. 

The portrait was commissioned as a memorial to the SU benefactor and as a reminder to new generations of students of the power of both imagination and generosity as personified by one of the Eastern Shore’s most famous entrepreneurs .

At the unveiling, Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach praised Henson as a pioneer in several spheres--in the aviation industry, in thought, in philanthropy and in education. 

“His legacy is present throughout our region and countless children will forever be grateful for his contributions,” she said.  “He had a vision for Salisbury University … and wanted to assure a state of the art quality education for our students interested in science and technology.  I am proud that Dick Henson believed in Salisbury University.”     Henson endowed the science school in 1988 with a multi-million dollar gift, which was later followed by an additional $ 1 million for equipment for the new science facility.  “This beautiful building and the generosity of the late Richard A. Henson have bettered the science programming and research capabilities of the students and faculty of Salisbury University,” said Henson School Dean Tom Jones.

Artist Jamie Adams is core director for the School of Art at Washington University in St. Louis.  His works have been exhibited at such prestigious galleries as the PAFA Gallery in Philadelphia, the Philip Slein Gallery in St. Louis and the OM Gallery in New Orleans.  His paintings hang in the collections of the Pennsylvania governor and legislature, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University.

For more information on Richard A Henson and his work through the Henson Foundation, which he founded, visit the foundation’s  Web site at www.richardhensonfoundation.org.  For more information on Salisbury University’ s Henson School, visit www.salisbury.edu or call 410-543-6030.