THE UNIVERSITY
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is the only research and
doctoral degree granting institution of the University of Maryland
System on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Its programs in Construction
Management Technology, Aviation Sciences, Hotel and Restaurant Management
are unique to both the state and the region. Every graduate of its
Physical Therapy and Dietetics programs has passed the licensure
examinations since the programs were first offered. Located in historic
Princess Anne, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore comprises
a 600 plus acre expanse that is at once academic, international,
and Arcadian, making it a fitting atmosphere for study and young
adult growth.
THE PAST
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore had its origin on September
13, 1886. Initiated under the auspices of the Delaware Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, it opened as the Delaware Conference
Academy in Princess Anne on that date with nine students and one
faculty.
Records reveal that 37 students were enrolled by the end of the
year. Subsequently, the institution bore the title of Industrial
Branch of Morgan State College, still under the influence of the
Delaware Conference. As originally operated by Morgan State College
under the control of the Methodist Church, the institution was known
as Princess Anne Academy.
The State of Maryland, in operating its land-grant program at the
Maryland Agricultural College at College Park, to which African
Americans were not admitted as students, sought to provide a Land-Grant
program for African Americans and assumed control of the Princess
Anne Academy renaming it the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland
Agricultural College. The arrangement was effected in 1919.
In 1926, the College passed into complete control and ownership
of the State and the University of Maryland was designated as the
administrative agency.
In 1948, the Eastern Shore Branch of the University of Maryland,
popularly known as Princess Anne College, became officially Maryland
State College, a division of the University of Maryland. On July
1, 1970, Maryland State College became the University of Maryland
Eastern Shore.
THE PRESENT
From its original building on campus known as "Olney," constructed
in 1798 when George Washington was still alive, the University has
grown to over 600 acres, 30 major buildings and 41 other units.
With the strong support of the University of Maryland Board of Regents,
Systems Administration, and the faculty, UMES has developed an academic
program perhaps more impressive than any other higher education
institution of its size in the East. Within the last decade, UMES
has added 20 degree-granting programs to its academic roster. Graduates
of these programs often choose to remain on the Delmarva Peninsula,
procuring careers in their areas of professional study, to benefit
the region, particularly the Lower Eastern Shore.
Today, the University offers major programs leading to the B.A.
and B.S. degrees in 26 disciplines in the arts and sciences, professional
studies and agricultural sciences. In addition, UMES presents 13
teaching degree programs and eight pre-professional programs, as
well as an Honors Program designed in cooperation with the University
of Maryland at Baltimore and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College
of Veterinary Medicine to prepare students for professional school
study.
UMES offers graduate degrees in the following fields: Marine-Estuarine
and Environmental Sciences and Toxicology are offered at both the
M.S. and Ph.D. levels. The M.S. degree is offered in Agricultural
and Extension Education, Applied Computer Science, Food and Agricultural
Sciences, and Criminal Justice and Criminology. The M.Ed. degree
is offered in Guidance and Counseling, Special Education, and Technology
Education and the MPT degree is offered in Physical Therapy.
Today the University offers not only a well-constructed and varied
academic program, but a beautiful campus as well. It provides today's
students, through versatile student life activities, with opportunities
to develop into well-rounded individuals who are able to assume
leadership in today's society.
The newest programs on the UMES campus also look toward current
and future needs of the Eastern Shore. Airway Science, Law Enforcement,
and Rehabilitation Services have all been recently added to the
University's offerings. Greater course offerings during evening
and weekend hours have also been developed, allowing a greater segment
of the local population to enhance themselves and their communities
through post-secondary education.
THE FUTURE
As the University of Maryland Eastern Shore enters its second century,
it continues with an even greater vigor; the extent of progress
and the apexes of quality continue to expand.
Long-term plans include expanding the curriculum for graduate study;
new construction and renovation projects for classroom and administrative
buildings; and an improved physical plant.
As the Eastern Shore continues to gain in productivity and recognition,
UMES will continue to serve the needs of the industries and people
around it. UMES is the only four-year institution on the shore to
offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science. The
University has long been known for providing professional training
in the key regional and local industries of hospitality management
and the management of commercial poultry and swine operations. The
prediction is that this local enrichment will continue as more students
enroll in the University's programs of business and economics, physical
therapy, hotel and restaurant management, poultry technology and
management, and computer science. Likewise the outlook is good for
the sciences, agriculture, liberal arts, and graduate programs.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION
The administrative organization of the campus is divided among
three divisions: Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Administrative
Affairs, Office of Information Technology and Outreach, and Office
of the Executive. Each division is headed by a Vice President who
administers the policies, procedures, and directives of the President,
the Chancellor, and the Board of Regents. A Senior Vice President
is also part of the campus administrative organization and
assists the President on special projects.
Office of Academic Affairs
The Division of Academic Affairs consists of seventeen (17) academic
departments distributed among three undergraduate schools: Agricultural
and Natural Sciences, the Arts and the Professions, and Business
and Technology. Undergraduate students choose their programs of
study from the university's departments located in the three schools.
An academic Dean heads each school. Each school develops and administers
its programs consistent with its own mission and goals, as well
as in consort with the overall mission of the University.
There is also a graduate school headed by a Dean. Coordinators
in the respective academic departments head the graduate programs.
The exception is the Department of Physical Therapy that is administered
by its chairman.
Within the Division are also several academic support units headed
by Directors including Academic Support Services, Continuing and
Distance Education, 1890 Extension, 1890 Research, The Honors Program,
International Programs, Library Services, Research, Rural Development,
Sponsored Programs, Teacher Education, and Upward Bound.
Seven student-services departments and the campus radio station,
WESM are contained in this division: Admissions, Registration, Recruitment;
Career Services and Cooperative Education, Student Activities; and
Student Health Center. A Director, all of whom report to the Divisions
Associate Vice President, heads six of the departments. Admissions,
Registration, and Recruitment also report to the Associate Vice
President who also reports to the Vice President.
Office of Administrative Affairs
The Division of Administrative Affairs is comprised of ten major
subgroups: Budget, Procurement, Comptroller's Office,
Student Financial Aid, Residence Life, Plant Operations, Human
Resources, Public Safety, Auxiliary Enterprises, and Dining Services.
A director manages each of the ten areas, all of whom report to
the Division's Vice President.
Office of Information Technology and Outreach
The Division of Information Technology and Outreach is responsible
for coordinating and implementing campus technology initiatives
and community outreach projects. The Division comprises four major
subgroups: Academic Computing, Administrative Computing, Telecommunications,
and Outreach.
Office of the Executive Vice President
The Office of the Executive Vice President coordinates for the
planning and evaluation functions of the University. It is also
responsible for data collection on students, faculty, staff, and
programs. This office monitors all external data reporting and accreditation
functions.
FACULTY
There are 144 full-time faculty members at UMES of whom 94 percent
of those with tenure hold a doctorate or terminal degree in their
field of specialization. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1.
STUDENTS
The University serves constituencies that range from first generation
college students to an international clientele. Students served
by the instructional programs come from across the state of Maryland,
around the nation, and from over 50 foreign countries. In keeping
with the University's mission, other constituencies are served through
inter-agency agreements and contracts with governmental agencies,
business, and industry.
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
UMES conducts research and creative endeavors in agricultural,
environmental and marine sciences, mathematics and computer applications,
allied health and other fields. State-of -the-art chemistry and
biology laboratories, computer facilities supported by the latest
software, and library research capabilities are available. Faculty
and students work collaboratively with such organizations as ICF
Kaiser Engineering, Kellogg Foundation, National Institutes of Health,
Agency for International Development, U.S. Departments of Agriculture,
Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services,
the Interior, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics
and Space Administration and over 50 other external funding sources.
Because of its status as an 1890 Land-grant institution, the university
receives annual federal appropriations to support research in the
food and agricultural sciences.
ACCREDITATION
University of Maryland Eastern Shore is accredited by the Middle
States Association of Colleges and Schools, the Maryland State Board
of Education, the American Council for Construction Education, the
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the
American Physical Therapy Association and the American Dietetics
Association.
The University is recognized by the University Aviation Association
and the Federal Aviation Administration. Membership is held by the
University with the Maryland Association of Higher Education, the
National Council of Educational Opportunity Association, the National
Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, the National
Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the
American Council on Education.
Return to the University Index
The University
| Academics | The
School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences | The
School of the Arts and Professions | The
School of Business and Technology | Courses
| Faculty | Appendix
|