Alumni Spotlight - Mary Biscoe-Hall, Esq. '12

Sep 26, 2018 4:20 PM

eNews Alumni Spotlight highlights alumni who give back to Frostburg in some way – time, talent, treasure or any combination. This edition of eNews will feature attorney Mary Biscoe-Hall, Esq. ’12.

Current City: Baltimore

Current Occupation: Attorney at Leder & Hale, PC; previously assistant state’s attorney for Baltimore City

Why do you love FSU?

FSU gave me a real chance. A chance to be more than what statistics predicted me to be. The faculty and staff saw me as an individual, not as a number. They worked hard to make sure I was supported in all aspects of life and encouraged me to pursue all of my hopes and dreams. At Frostburg, I discovered my passion for traveling, honed my leadership skills, got a top-notch education (for a great financial value) and made the best friends a girl could ask for. Not only did the faculty and staff keep tabs on me while I was at FSU, but they continue to check in on me to this day. Plenty of people ask whether I wish I would have gone to a bigger, more well-known university, and my answer is always “no.” I would make the decision to attend Frostburg over and over again.

Why do you give back (time, talent and/or treasure) to FSU?

I choose to give back as a token of my appreciation for all that FSU has given me. FSU saw my potential and cultivated it. If my time and money can be used to enrich the lives of students the way mine was enriched, I am more than happy to give however I can.

What do you do for fun?

Travelling in my number one option for fun! I absolutely love to travel. Each year, my husband and I go on a trip out of the country for our anniversary. I also have a group of sorority sisters that I travel with once a year. I try to fill as much time as possible with a new travel opportunity! Whether that be exploring locally, another state or another country. As a hobby, I am also a personal trainer at Soldierfit in Columbia, Md.

Tell us about a class or activity at FSU that has had a surprising effect on your life.

Two activities come to mind. First, sorority life has had a surprisingly long-lasting impact on my life. The women I developed relationships with while a collegiate member of Delta Zeta have become my best friends in life and among my greatest sources of support. My sisters encourage and guide me. They also teach me so much with each of our encounters. It is truly a gift to be so deeply connected with such strong and honorable women. Secondly, in 2011, I had the opportunity to attend the International Youth Leadership conference in Prague, Czech Republic. I honestly cannot say I remember much about the content of the conference, but the friendships and connections that I built at the conference have followed me throughout my life. I had the opportunity to meet individuals who are now rising world leaders. I am inspired by what these individuals are doing in their own countries and around the world to make a difference. I can only hope that I, too, make as great of an impact as each of them. This conference was also my first opportunity to travel abroad, and it was a trip for the books! Now my wanderlust lives on, and my desire to make this world a better place has compounded!

Favorite movie?

My favorite movie of all time is Remember the Titans. It is such a powerful story of humankind’s resilience and demonstrates how rich life can be if we just look deep within a person and past our surface-level differences.

What is your favorite memory of your time as a Frostburg student?

Besides the travelling and sorority life, I would say my favorite memory would be the day I moved into my freshman dorm. As the first member of my family to attend college, this was the day when I knew my life had changed for the better. I remember one day, I was sitting on my freshly made bed, alone in the room, and sighed aloud to myself with a smile on my face and said, “I did it!”

What is a cause dear to your heart?

Educational and mentorship opportunities for troubled youth.

Tell us about a person or persons from FSU who had an impact on your life.

My list could go on and on. I will give you three: Numbers one and two – Bill Mandicott and Kathi Perkins were my sounding boards and support system while I was in SGA and even more so when I was SGA president. For them, that meant they had to endure countless hours of me running at 100 mph trying to problem-solve and plan for SGA and also trying to figure out what was next in my life. They always provided wonderful advice and encouraged me not to give up just because I hit a barrier and times were tough. Neither of them ever stopped believing in me. They made the Lane Center feel like my home away from home (because that is truly where I spent most of my time!). Person number three, Jamie Winters. Jamie was not only the Greek Life advisor, but my sorority sister. When times were the hardest, I would go into her office to just get away. We would talk about everything from classes, to sorority hardships, to family pains and personal successes. When times were tough, she always provided an escape and helped me develop a plan of action. To this day, all three of these individuals still play a major role in my life, whether they know it or not. I will never forget their unyielding support of me and my dreams.  

Favorite comfort food?

Homemade lasagna and cookies and cream ice cream! Yum!

Favorite vacation spot?

I am not one to visit the same place more than once or twice. The world is so big with so much to offer! My favorite vacation spot will always be a new country or destination!

Who is your doppelganger (famous person you resemble)?

I am often told that I look like Eva Mendez or Zoe Saldana. I do not know how true it is, but they are beautiful, so I will take it!

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

The CEO of an international company OR a diplomat! I love learning and bringing people and cultures together. Business is pretty cool, too!

What person, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with?

I would love to crash a dinner with Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Oprah! Regardless of political affiliations or entertainment preferences, it is undeniable that these are all talented and hard-working individuals that have an enormous impact on the world.