A Message from the President

January 14, 2021

Justice for Lt. Richard W. Collins III

In the spring of 2017, Bowie State University lost our beloved student, Lt. Richard W. Collins III, days before he was scheduled to graduate. Today, we extend our deepest condolences to Richard’s parents Dawn and Richard Collins Jr. again, as the perpetrator of the crime was finally sentenced in Prince George’s County Circuit Court. We as a campus community grieve alongside the Collins family, as the void left on our campus by the loss of their son can never be filled. We hope that by bringing this chapter to an end, there may be some sense of closure for those closest to Lt. Collins.

We owe a great deal to the many graduates of our ROTC Bulldog Battalion who have joined our campus and dedicated themselves to protect and serve our country so that we may enjoy the privileges and rights we have today as citizens of this nation. One exemplary Bulldog was Lt. Collins, who left an indelible mark here at Bowie State University. He was willing, ready and well prepared to serve in the Army to defend our nation and the values of a democratic society. We remain committed to preserving his legacy of academic excellence and patriotism by supporting every student in our community.

Let us honor Lt. Collins by advocating against racism and injustice in our society and taking up our civic responsibility to enrich our communities. We can honor his memory by remaining invested in our communities, particularly through the work of the Lt. Richard W. Collins III Foundation and the Bowie State University and University of Maryland Social Justice Alliance, which remain committed to addressing critical issues facing campuses and the nation. We must all do our part in supporting the inclusivity of all citizens in our communities and protecting our democracy.