USM Community Mourns the Passing of Towson University President Emerita Maravene Loeschke

Adelphi, Md. (June 25, 2015) --The University System of Maryland (USM) offers the following appreciation of Towson University President Emerita Maravene Loeschke from USM Board Chair James L. Shea and Chancellor William E. Kirwan:

On behalf of the entire University System of Maryland community, we express profound sorrow and grief at the passing of our colleague, Maravene Loeschke. Dr. Loeschke fought her illness with the same courage and grace that she brought to her time as president of her beloved Towson University and to her distinguished career in theater and higher education.

It was with great excitement in September 2011 that the University System of Maryland Board of Regents announced Dr. Loeschke's appointment as president of Towson University. When she joined Towson as president in January 2012, she returned to an institution where she spent so much of her formative years as a student of theater. And the skills unique to that discipline, plus her innate compassion, combined to make Dr. Loeschke a president who connected strongly and effectively with her students. She challenged students to determine how they could use their education to change the world. She challenged herself to let those students know they were her first priority.

When Dr. Loeschke's illness forced her to take a leave of absence in September 2014 and later, to leave the presidency, we were as saddened for her and her family as we were for the entire Towson University community. We regret that her tenure as president was brief. However, we know that her leadership and unshakable commitment will have a lasting impact on Towson University's academic and research quality, regional impact, and community service.

As we mourn her passing, we will find comfort in knowing how much she benefitted Towson University, the University System of Maryland, and the entire region. We will miss her greatly.

To read Towson University's appreciation of Dr. Loeschke's life, please click here.

Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu