CAS Gala Salutes Excellence in Arts and Sciences

By Brianna Johnson

Spectrum Staff Writer

The College of Arts and Sciences will host its 8th Annual Awards Gala on Thursday, April 28. The special evening honors students, staff, and faculty for their outstanding achievements throughout the school year, within the eight departments: Communications, Computer Science, English and Modern Languages, Fine & Performing Arts, History and Government, Mathematics, Military Science, and Natural Sciences. 

About eight years ago, Dr. George Acquaah, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, proposed the idea for an event to showcase and celebrate excellence in teaching, service, publication, research and scholarship.  The dean's goal was also to “encourage staff, faculty, and students to excel in whatever they do.”

This year’s theme will focus on the hard work and dedication of the U.S. Army ROTC, which is celebrating its 100 year anniversary. Army ROTC was established at Bowie State University in September 1974, through a cross-enrollment agreement with Howard University. The program commissioned its first graduates at the May 1978 commencement ceremony. Today, the ROTC program averages 75-100 Cadets each semester. These Cadets include BSU students and, cross-enrollment students from schools such as University of Maryland University College, Prince George's Community College, and Anne Arundel Community College.

The featured speaker at this year's gala is U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Charles. R. Hamilton, who assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support on July 13, 2015. The gala will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 28 in the main ballroom of the New Student Center.