UMES Home Latest Catalog
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

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 Division’s 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