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USM Celebrates 25 Years of Impact

With your support, the University System of Maryland has made a positive impact on the state of Maryland and continues to enhance the quality of life for the people of our state. To learn more about USM’s story, click here.

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Frostburg State University

Frostburg State University (FSU) is a destination for students seeking a challenging and enriching educational experience. Through accomplishments in academic excellence, experiential learning, sustainability and student health and wellness, FSU administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends are collectively building a promising future.

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Alumni Making a Difference

  • Astronaut/aquanaut Ricky Arnold (1985): Mission specialist in the Discovery mission (STS-119) to the International Space Station in 2009, where he walked in space twice. Lived and worked in Aquarius, the world’s only undersea laboratory.
  • U.S. Marine Capt. James A. Graham (1963): Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism and the sacrifice of his life in 1967 during the Vietnam War.
  • Donald Fry (1977): President of the Greater Baltimore Committee and a former Maryland State Senator and Delegate.
  • Tony Zook (1982): Former CEO of AstraZeneca U.S.
  • Dennis Thomas (1965): Served as Deputy Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan.
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Appalachian Lab

A part of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the Appalachian Laboratory is dedicated to the study of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

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Alumni Making It Big

  • Television producer Greg Garcia (1992): Creator of the hit comedies Raising Hope (Fox), The Millers (CBS), My Name is Earl (NBC), and Yes, Dear (CBS).
  • Broadway film and television actress Debra Monk (1973): Winner of a Tony Award and Emmy Award (among others); star of the hit TV series NYPD Blue.
  • Jim Riggleman (1974): Baseball manager for the San Diego Padres (1992–1994), Chicago Cubs (1995–1999), Seattle Mariners (2008), and Washington Nationals (2009–2011).
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University System of Maryland at Hagerstown

The University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (USMH) is a regional system center offering more than 20 programs undergraduate and graduate programs from five respected institutions within the University System of Maryland in one convenient location in downtown Hagerstown.

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Meeting the Region’s Workforce Demands

Nearly 50% of this year’s graduates of Frostburg’s education programs at the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown have been hired by Washington County Public Schools.

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The Future of Nursing

Graduates of Towson’s nursing program at the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown have been filling the need for bachelor’s-degree nurses at Meritus Medical Center (formerly Washington County Hospital) as it seeks magnate status.

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Safeguarding Our Health

Researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Institute for Genome Sciences determined the source of the anthrax virus used in the 2001 attacks in Washington, DC, and advanced the field of microbial forensics.

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Protecting Citizens’ Rights

University of Maryland, Baltimore alumni include six governors, nine U.S. senators, and the current chief judge of Maryland’s highest court, the Court of Appeals.

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Preventing Violence

Towson provided the setting for the One Love Foundation’s (OLF) educational film on dating violence. OLF was established by the mother and sister of Yeardley Love with a mission to end relationship violence through education and technology.

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Preparing Graduates for a National Stage

Towson alumna Amy Schumer, the star of Comedy Central’s weekly TV show, Inside Amy Schumer, graduated in 2003 with a degree in theater.

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Towson University

Founded in 1866, Towson University is recognized as one of the nation's best regional public universities, offering more than 100 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences, and applied professional fields. With nearly 22,000 students, Towson University is among the largest public universities in Maryland.

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Preparing Maryland Judges

33% of Maryland judges hold a University of Baltimore School of Law degree.

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Engineering Brilliance

UMBC alumnus Corey Fleischer (2005; 2008, MS, mechanical engineering) won the 2013 Discovery Channel reality show, The Big Brain Theory: Pure Genius.

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Starring at the Kennedy Center

Productions by UMBC’s Department of Theatre have been invited to the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) at the Kennedy Center six times.

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University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Over the past two decades, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has transformed from a quiet commuter school to a top research university. UMBC is consistently cited as one of the country’s most innovative colleges and universities.

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University of Baltimore

The University of Baltimore (UB) is the public undergraduate, graduate and professional University located in the heart of the state's largest city. UB's schools and colleges provide real-world education in business, law, public affairs and the applied arts and sciences.

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Inspiring Law Enforcement Professionals

In 1984, Coppin State alumnus Bishop Lee Robinson Sr. became Baltimore City's first African-American police commissioner. He passed away in January 2014 at the age of 86.

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Sharing the Art of Storytelling

Mary Carter Smith, class of 1942, known as the Baltimore City Griot (and later, the official Griot of Maryland), was a founding member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

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Coppin State University

Coppin State University is a model urban, residential liberal arts university that provides academic programs in the arts and sciences, teacher education, nursing, graduate studies, and continuing education. An HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Coppin has a culturally rich history as an institution providing quality educational programs and community outreach services.

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University of Maryland, Baltimore

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), founded in 1807, is Maryland's only public health, law, and human services university. Seven professional and graduate schools train the majority of the state's physicians, graduate nurses, dentists, lawyers, social workers, and pharmacists.

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Investing in Our State

The University of Baltimore’s total economic investment in the community is $275 million.

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Universities at Shady Grove

As a regional center for the University System of Maryland, established in partnership with Montgomery County, the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) bring together nine of Maryland’s leading public universities, offering more than 70 top-quality, high-demand upper level undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

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Laurel College Center

USM institutions offer courses at the Laurel College Center.

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Solving Real-World Problems

The Education Innovation Initiative (EI2), Bowie State University’s new signature program, gives students opportunities to work with local businesses and governments to solve real-world problems. The first projects include developing mobile applications to better link first responders from different agencies responding to catastrophic events.

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Preparing Cybersecurity Professionals

Bowie State has been designated a National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Security Agency (NSA).

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Bowie State University

Founded in 1865, Bowie State is the oldest Historically Black College/University in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. In addition to its 23 undergraduate majors, the university offers 35 master's, doctoral, and advanced certification programs with specific focus on science, technology, business, education and related disciplines.

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Protecting Our Planet

University of Maryland, College Park achieved its Fearless Goal of a 75% recycling rate by the end of 2013.

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Making a Global Impact

University of Maryland, College Park alumni created or co-created Google, Under Armour, Sirius Satellite Radio, Squarespace, and the Muppets.

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University of Maryland, College Park

From modest beginnings in 1856 as a small agricultural school with four faculty members and 35 students, the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) has developed into a globally preeminent research university with more than 37,000 students from more than 130 countries around the world.

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Preparing Our Nation’s Leaders

The first CIO of the United States, Vivek Kundra—appointed by President Obama in 2009—is a University of Maryland University College alumnus and former adjunct instructor.

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Pioneering Online Education

University of Maryland University College piloted its first online courses in 1994. Twenty years later, 97% of all stateside UMUC students take at least one online course each year.

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University Of Maryland University College

In the 1990s, the University Of Maryland, University College (UMUC) took the lead in transforming higher education by becoming the first university in the United States to offer online degree programs. Today, UMUC has the largest enrollment of any public university in the United States, serving more than 92,000 students at more than 150 locations worldwide and online.

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Salisbury University

Salisbury University (SU) is a premier comprehensive Maryland public university, offering excellent, affordable education in 57 undergraduate and graduate programs. SU’s highest purpose is to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and core values that contribute to active citizenship, gainful employment, and life–long learning in a democratic society and interdependent world.

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Surpassing the Competition

Salisbury University nursing students have the highest five-year pass rate of all baccalaureate programs in Maryland on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.

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Staying Sustainable

The Princeton Review has named Salisbury University among the nation’s most sustainable campuses in its annual Guide to Green Colleges each year since its inception in 2010.

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Celebrating Diversity

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is the academic home to students from 36 nations.

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University of Maryland Eastern Shore

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is a land-grant, historically black college founded in 1886. UMES’s purpose and uniqueness are grounded in distinctive learning, discovery, and engagement opportunities in agriculture, marine and environmental sciences, technology, engineering and aviation sciences, health professions, and hospitality management.

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Celebrating Diversity

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is the academic home to students from 36 nations.

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University System of Maryland Office

The system office of the University System of Maryland, led by Chancellor William E. Kirwan, is the staff to the Board of Regents. Staff members advocate on behalf of the 12 USM institutions, facilitate collaboration and efficiencies among the institutions, and provide information about the system to the public.

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Preserving Our Environment

President Obama appointed University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Don Boesch to serve on the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

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Chesapeake Biological Lab

A part of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory focuses on fisheries, environmental chemistry and toxicology, and ecosystem science and restoration ecology.

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Restoring Oyster Populations

The oyster culture facility at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is the largest on the East Coast, producing more than 1.2 billion oysters in 2013 to help with Bay restoration.

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University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

For more than 80 years, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) students, researchers and faculty have gathered information and developed theories that have helped improve society’s scientific understanding of the environment. By sharing this newfound knowledge on important issues such as fisheries management, ecosystem health and climate change, UMCES has had an undeniable impact on the way we think about the natural world.

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Southern Maryland Higher Education Center

USM institutions offer courses at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in California, MD.

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Eastern Shore Higher Education Center

USM institutions offer courses at the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center in Wye Mills, MD.

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Higher Education and Conference Center

USM institutions offer courses at the Higher Education and Conference Center in Aberdeen, MD.

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Harford County

Towson University is building a university site in Harford County.

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Horn Point Laboratory

A part of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point focuses on the world’s estuarine and ocean ecosystems.

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Waldorf Center For Higher Education

USM institutions offer courses at the Waldorf Center for Higher Education in Waldorf, MD.

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Arundel Mills Regional Center for Higher Education

USM institutions offer courses at the Arundel Mills Regional Higher Education Center.

Learn about some of USM’s achievements over the past 25 years by exploring our interactive map. Discover many more of our accomplishments by visiting us on Facebook. 

Working with you and for you, USM:

  • Cultivates communities and opportunities.
  • Empowers students and other individuals, businesses, and organizations.
  • Advances research and discovery.
  • Provides access to valuable resources.

We invite you to join us as we look back on 25 years

155,603 students currently enrolled as compared to 102,688 in 1988-89.

34,290 degrees awarded in 2012 as compared to 18,216 in 1988-89.

$1.2 billion in external grants and contracts as compared to $375 million in 1988-89.

60+ new companies in 2012, a fraction of the many USM has helped form.

Join us for a year-long celebration!

We hope you'll join us in our celebratory events. Be sure to "Like" our Facebook page to stay updated on our year-long celebration. And be sure to check out our YouTube page for USM photos, videos, and trivia.


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    Like and/or post on USM's Facebook page and fill out a contest entry form between 6/1 and 6/24. Twenty-five winners will be randomly selected to win a 25th Anniversary prize pack. Winners will be randomly selected to receive one of three grand prizes: One of two NOOK Simple Touch® GlowLights® or lunch at the Bombay Club with Dr. Martha Joynt Kumar, a Towson University political science professor.

  • UMCP

    Inside the UMBC Commons, where flags celebrate the international diversity of the campus, students celebrate USM’s 25th anniversary.

  • Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley celebrates the University System of Maryland’s 25 years of service to the state.

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    This outgoing, upbeat group of students at Towson University salute the USM on its 25th anniversary.

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    At the "M" circle in the heart of the U. of Maryland, College Park campus, a group of Terps celebrate USM's 25th anniversary in style.

  • Salisbury

    Gathered in front of historic Holloway Hall, Salisbury University students sport their USMPact T-shirts on a beautiful Eastern Shore day. More enthusiasm for USM’s 25th anniversary celebration!

  • Frostburg

    Frostburg State University students sport their USMPact T-shirts on a beautiful day on campus, helping to spread enthusiasm for USM's 25th anniversary celebration.

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    The University System of Maryland Office celebrates 25 years on July 1, 2013. USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan marks the occasion with the first cut of the 25th anniversary cake. Learn more about USM's history.

  • USM's 25th Anniversary Message from University of Maryland, University College

USM’s Vision for Tomorrow

The next decade will be demanding, yet transformative, for American higher education. USM is preparing to successfully meet the unique education, demographic, economic, and leadership challenges that will impact our teaching, learning, research, and service missions.

With your help, USM is positioning itself to:

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Serve students even better. Through academic and operational transformation, our faculty and staff will expand access to education and help students achieve higher levels of success.

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Continue to advance the research, economic development, workforce development, and competitiveness of our state and nation.

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Build on our established leadership by using resources efficiently and ensuring accountability.

Thank you for your support as we continue to deliver value in Maryland. USM looks forward to a bright future of continuing to serve the growing number of students, Maryland residents, businesses, and organizations with innovation, commitment, and excellence.

Be a part of the University System of Maryland’s next 25 years of influence and impact. Visit our Facebook page throughout the year for news and your chance to win anniversary prize packs.

Get involved today!

A Thank You to Our Sponsors

  • Barry Gossett
  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
  • Delmarva Power
  • Micros Systems
  • PNC Foundation
  • The Classic Catering People
  • The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
  • University System of Maryland Foundation