A Message from the President

January 15, 2021

Closing University for Presidential Inauguration

The Presidential inauguration on Wednesday, Jan. 20 is a momentous occasion for our country. I believe that it is a moment for us all to pause and reflect on the ideals at the core of our democracy. For these reasons, I have decided to close the university on Jan. 20 to allow all of us to thoughtfully consider our roles as citizens of this great nation. With our January Faculty Institute previously moved to Thursday, Jan. 21, this ensures that we all can experience this historic moment.

As President-Elect Joe Biden, and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, who will become the first African American female vice president, take their oaths of office to lead this country forward, I encourage all members of the Bowie State University community to consider the role you can play in building bridges across ideological divides to secure the future for our students and our communities.

As Governor Larry Hogan has declared a state of emergency in response to threats of potential violence surrounding the inauguration, I urge you to heed his guidance to refrain from going into Washington, DC, and instead, participate in the ceremonial events virtually.