August 26, 2019
Welcome Back, Bulldogs
Welcome back to a university that is on the move. I hope that you have enjoyed relaxing time with your families over the summer and have returned refreshed and prepared to continue Bowie State University’s race to excellence. Students from across the country and from several foreign countries are joining our BSU community today. Let’s welcome them with open arms and help them to learn the traditions and legacy of this great university.
As we begin a new academic year, I ask that you take time out of your day today to recognize and reflect on the loss of three of our students: Mr. Black and Gold Keshon Nowlin; incoming freshman Damion Callery Jr.; and graduate student Kevin Dwyer, who passed away from a stroke earlier this month. Many members of our community have been impacted by these deaths, but we know that their memories will live on in our hearts and minds.
While you were away, much has happened to advance our institutional priorities of academic excellence, student success and long-term viability of the university. I’ll share just a few:
- The quality of a Bowie State University education has received national recognition with a new designation as a Military Friendly® School for exceeding the standards for educational services to veterans. Additionally, just last week, Money magazine ranked BSU as a best-value university based on quality and value.
- One of our professors in the College of Education, Dr. Julius Davis, was awarded the prestigious University System of Maryland Wilson H. Elkins Professorship. The award provides $44,000 for him to establish a Center for Research and Mentoring of Black Male Students and Teachers to encourage more young black males to enter the education profession, where they are underrepresented.
- More than 70 students from many disciplines participated in the 5th Annual Summer Undergraduate Research Institute. The intensive nine-week program makes it possible for the students to hone their analytical skills and establish mentor relationships with the 20 Bowie State faculty researchers, who helped guide their projects.
- We also welcomed a new dining services partner to the campus. Aladdin, one of the Elior North America family of culinary management companies, will provide an integrated culinary program that encourages student engagement and learning. The campus can look forward to greater flexibility in meal-plan options and catering services, expanded dining hall hours and new late-night dining options.
- There are also some exciting things on the horizon for Bowie State. Plans for our new Entrepreneurial Living-Learning Community are moving forward with a ceremonial groundbreaking set for Thursday, Oct. 10 and a target opening date of fall 2021. We also received funding to begin planning the new Humanities Building, set for completion in 2024.
- New partnerships getting underway this fall include an opportunity with the coffee and social impact company Saxbys to bring their innovative Experiential Learning Program (ELP) to the university with an exclusively student-run café, slated to open in October. We are also pleased to continue partnerships with the Center for Financial Advancement and the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Inc. in support of our financial literacy education efforts.
There is much ahead as we implement the second year of our Racing to Excellence strategic plan, and I invite you to join me at a University Town Hall meeting on Thursday, Sept. 26 to learn more about the accomplishments and direction of the university.
Mr. Anthony Savia, vice president for administration and finance, will host a Budget Update Open Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 17 to share information about special initiatives approved for funding this year.
I look forward to seeing you at the Fall Matriculation Convocation on Wednesday, Sept. 11 when we will officially welcome the entering freshman class into our community and launch their journey in pursuit of excellence as a BSU Bulldog.
As a university, we definitely have much to be excited about. I applaud the efforts all those who worked to keep the university moving over the summer, and I look forward to everyone joining with us to make this academic year a success for all of our students and the university as a whole.
Go Bulldogs!