Frostburg State University Explained

Frostburg State University
Motto:"One University. A World of Experiences."
Former Name:State Normal School No. 2 (1902–1935)
State Teachers College at Frostburg (1935–1963)
Frostburg State College (1963–1987)[1]
Type:Public university
Parent:University System of Maryland
Endowment:US$26.4 million (2020)[2]
Faculty:341 (2020)[3]
President:Ronald Nowaczyk
Provost:Michael Mathias (interim)[4]
Students:4,858[5]
Undergrad:4,119 (fall 2020)
Postgrad:739 (fall 2020)
City:Frostburg
State:Maryland
Country:United States
Campus:Rural, 260acres
Athletics Affiliations:NCAA Division II - MEC
Mascot:Bob Cat
Sports Nickname:Bobcats

Frostburg State University (FSU) is a public university in Frostburg, Maryland.[6] The university is the only four-year institution of the University System of Maryland west of the Baltimore-Washington passageway in the state's Appalachian highlands. Founded in 1898 by Maryland State Senator, John Leake, Frostburg was selected because the site offered the best suitable location without a cost to the state.[7] Today, the institution is a largely residential university.

With an enrollment of approximately 4,858 students, the university offers 47 undergraduate majors, 16 graduate programs, and a doctorate in educational leadership.[8] [9] The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and places primary emphasis on its role as a teaching and learning institution.[10]

History

What was "Frostburg State Normal School No. 2" was founded by an act of the Maryland General Assembly, House Bill 742,[11] from the General Appropriation Bill, on March 31, 1898. The bill was offered on the floor by John Leake of Vale Summit in Allegany County:

For the direction of the erection of a building in Frostburg, Allegany County to be known as The State Normal School No. 2, for the sum of $20,000; and for the support of said school when established $5,000 annually, provided, the people of the town of Frostburg furnish the ground for the site of said building and deed the same to the state.[12]

The State Board of Education selected and the town of Frostburg paid for the two-acre Beall Park[13] as the location of the new school on August 9, 1898.[14] The cornerstone was laid in a ceremony on September 4, 1899.[15] The Normal School's first building, Old Main, was positioned in Beall Park to face Loo Street (now known as College Avenue) and to look down Wood Street toward the downtown area of Frostburg.[16] State Normal School No. 2, the first institution being located in Baltimore and then Towson, opened with its first class on September 15, 1902, with 57 students with Frostburg's first administrator, Principal Dr. Edward D. Murdaugh (November 18, 1853 - May 1925).[17] [18] [19] In 1904, eight students became the first graduates of the college, receiving a diploma and a lifetime teaching certificate.[20] In 1912, a new gymnasium was authorized and completed in 1914. In 1919, a dormitory was opened. In 1925, a second dormitory was opened. In 1927, Allegany Hall, a new auditorium, gymnasium, and heating plant was added. In 1930, a six-room practice elementary school known as the new laboratory school was opened and the campus was extended to 40 acres, taking over the Brownsville area of Frostburg.

The institution's original mission was to train teachers for public school systems statewide. In 1935, the school was renamed "State Teachers' College at Frostburg" (also called Frostburg State Teachers College) and began offering a four-year degree program leading to a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, after expanding the curriculum from two to three years in 1931 and 1934, respectively. Lillian Cleveland Compton served as the first female president of the college from 1945 to 1954.[21] Compton replaced the 21-year President John L. Dunkle.[22] [23] [24] Her mission as president was essentially to prepare the college for its planned closing. Enrollment stood at a mere 62 students in 1945.[25] With outdated facilities and inadequate funding, the college was accredited only by the State Department of Education. As early as 1943, there had arisen in the General Assembly a movement to close the institution, which eventually culminated in the Marbury Report.The end of World War II brought a drastic change in the college's environment. In 1946, enrollment increased to 274 students, many being admitted under the new G.I. Bill. Though the movement to close the college persisted, it seemed misguided to those on the scene and was roundly opposed by both private citizens and civic groups in Frostburg and Western Maryland. With the strong support of State Superintendent of Schools Thomas Granville Pullen Jr. and Governor William Preston Lane Jr., the General Assembly was petitioned to keep the School open and the Marbury Commission's recommendations died without ever being acted upon. In 1947, the American Council on Education suggested that Frostburg State Teachers College be closed.[26] The report states:

Your Commission does feel obligated to recommend the prompt discontinuance of the State Teachers College at Frostburg. We are convinced that the cost of operating this unit is not justified by the very small number of its graduates who are entering the school system of the state as teachers. In reaching this conclusion, we have been strongly influenced by the report of our survey staff as to the present condition of the physical facilities at Frostburg. It is apparent that the state faces a heavy capital expenditure if operations at that location are to be continued. Frankly, such an outlay seems to us to be an indefensible waste of public money ... The facilities in Towson are adequate to care for all the students at Frostburg who are now studying to become teachers.
Under Compton's leadership, the institution celebrated its 50th anniversary in the 1949–1950 academic year, enrollment grew from 62 students in 1945 to 500 in 1954, the faculty increased from 13 to 34 members, and the size of the campus increased from eight to 40 acres of land. In addition to plant expansion, she initiated programs in curriculum development, adding a program to train junior high school teachers. R. Bowen Hardesty replaced Compton as president in 1955.The continued southern expansion of the college caused the Brownsville Schools and homes along Park Avenue to be demolished by 1955 to make way for Compton, Allen, and Simpson Halls. A new school-also known as the Lincoln School, and the current home of the university's Public Safety office-was constructed in the late 1950s. However, the building was used for only two years until national integration laws reassigned students to other Frostburg elementary schools. Marking a shift in the educational mission of the institution, the college was granted the right to grant Bachelor of Arts degrees and the master of education degree in 1960.The school was again renamed in July 1963, this time as Frostburg State College. Frostburg received university status in July 1987, thus being renamed to what it is today, i.e. Frostburg State University.[27] Continuing the shift and growth of the university, the institution opened a campus in Hagerstown in 1988, which became the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown in January 2005, and offered its first doctoral degree in 2012.

In 2024, the university faced a $7.7 million deficit. University leaders planned to address the deficit by firing about 30 faculty by fall 2025 and another 15 faculty by spring 2026 and reorganizing administrative units (including eliminating two vice president positions).[28]

Presidents

PresidentTenure
Edward D. Murdaugh1902–1909[29]
Reginald H. Ridgely1909–1912
Edward F. Webb1909–1916
C. L. Staple 1916–1917
Patrick O'Rourke1918
James Widdowson1918–1923
John L. Dunkle1924–1945[30]
Lillian Cleveland Compton1945–1954[31]
R. Bowen Hardesty1955–1964[32]
John H. Morey1965–1969[33] [34]
Nelson P. Guild1969–1985
Herbert F. Reinhard Jr.1986–1991[35]
Catherine R. Gira1991–2006[36]
Jonathan C. Gibralter2006–2015
Ronald Nowaczyk2016–present

Academics

Frostburg State University offers 47 undergraduate degrees, 80 specialized programs of study, and 16 graduate degrees in its three colleges:[37] [38]

Frostburg State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.[39] The College of Business holds accreditations from the (AACSB) Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.[40] The College of Education, specified with respective degree programs, holds accreditations from (NCATE) National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, (CAAHEP) Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs respectively, (CAATE) Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, and The Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).[41] The Counseling Psychology Master's program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and allows students to become Licensed Counselors.[42]

Frostburg also incorporates for students, the ability to study 140 locations worldwide. Exchange programs and partnerships has included Mary Immaculate College Exchange Program (Ireland), Beijing Normal University in Beijing (China), ESC Rennes School of Business (France), Nagasaki University Exchange Program (Japan), Baden-Wurttemberg Cooperative State University Exchange Program (Germany), Kyung Hee University Exchange Program (Korea).[43] [44]

Unique programs

The Adventure Sports Concentration is offered as a collaborative program with Garrett College in Western Maryland.[45] Ethnobotany, introduced in 2007, is one of only two of programs in the United States on the cultural use of plants.[46] The program emphasizes experiential learning and practical experiences.

Notable faculty

Athletics

See main article: Frostburg State Bobcats. On July 5, 2018, the Mountain East Conference announced that Frostburg State University has accepted an offer of membership beginning with the 2019–20 academic year. Full membership will be contingent upon Frostburg State achieving active membership status in NCAA Division II.[47] Beginning in 2020, Frostburg joined the East Coast Conference as an associate member in men's lacrosse, also contingent on being accepted into Division II by the NCAA.[48]

Prior to 2019, Frostburg State University competed at the NCAA Division III level and was a member of the Capital Athletic Conference, as well as participating as an associate member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football. However, prior to 2010, FSU was competing as a member of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.[49] FSU's football team was a member of the ACFC, but has moved to Empire 8 in 2011.[50] FSU teams have participated in and won many championships, Baseball having the most championship victories.[51] Various club and intramural sports are available on campus.

Student life

News

The Bottom Line is the official news outlet of Frostburg State University. Founded in 1948, the newspaper is primarily run by students. The weekly circulation had print peaks of up to 2,500 copies. As of 2013, The Bottom Line relies on web based multimedia as its primary platform. The journalistic intent of the organization is to report news and information that relates to the campus community.[52]

Student government

All students are represented by the three branches of the Student Government Association: the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The SGA develops and administers student self-government policies, provides services to students, communicates with faculty and administration, and decides how the student activity fees are spent.[53]

Frostburg TV/News

FSU-TV3 is Frostburg State University's 24-hour educational access channel.[54] It is programmed and operated by students in the Department of Mass Communication, located in the Center for Communication and Information Technology.[55] The Frostburg studio is programmed and operated by both students and faculty each semester.[56] FSU-TV3 presents programming including documentaries, concerts, guest speakers, sports, and city council meetings.[57]

Radio

WFWM radio is a public service of Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. It broadcasts informational, educational, and cultural programming 24 hours a day to the westernmost counties of Maryland and adjacent areas in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.WFWM operates at an assigned frequency of 91.9 MHz. It also operates a translator station, W242AD (96.3 MHz), in Oakland, Maryland. Some of WFWM's daily programming includes locally produced programming and news, as well as the public syndicate network of National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and National Weather Service. Main transmission facilities are located on Dan's Mountain in Midland, Maryland. WFWM also maintains and assists XFSR, the FSU student intranet radio station.[58]

Greek letter organizations

Frostburg State University has a large number of nationally and internationally recognized fraternities, sororities, academic clubs, and student associations on-campus.[59]

Arts and culture

Performing Arts Center

The Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Frostburg State University is a $19 million facility constructed in 1994.[60] The PAC features three acoustic rehearsal halls and two drama theaters.The three state-of-the-art performing accommodations contain a 458-seat recital hall, a 338-seat drama theater, and a 150-seat studio theater.[61] It is complete with scenic and costume shops, a box office, practice rooms, faculty and staff offices, dressing rooms, two separate dedicated computer labs and various production facilities.The PAC showcases major performances in ballet, dance, musicals, plays, vocal and instrumental performances from professional to student performers.[62]

Children's Literature Centre

The center is housed within the College of Education. The annual Spring Festival of Children's Literature brings together nationally and internationally recognized children's authors and illustrators with teachers, librarians, media specialists, and lovers of children's literature. In 2009, the festival included featured speakers Kadir Nelson, Doreen Rappaport, Matt Tavares, and Gennifer Cholendenko. The centre sponsors several free community events for children, based around children's literature.[63]

Notable alumni

See main article: List of Frostburg State University alumni.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY . frostburg.edu . Frostburg State University . 24 November 2022.
  2. Web site: Annual Report FY2020 . Frostburg State University Foundation, Inc. . March 6, 2021 .
  3. Web site: USM Data Journal - Statewide Personnel by Occupation Category . www.usmd.edu. March 6, 2021.
  4. Web site: Frostburg's Leadership. www.frostburg.edu.
  5. Web site: Frostburg State University Fall 2020 fact sheet. Frostburg.edu. March 6, 2021.
  6. News: Peck. Jamie. Frostburg State University. The Baltimore Sun. October 18, 2015. August 29, 2002. But the 260-acre Western Maryland ....
  7. Web site: History of the university . www.frostburg.edu . Frostburg State University . October 18, 2015 . The Maryland General Assembly authorized ....
  8. Web site: Academic programs. frostburg.edu. Frostburg State University. May 28, 2018.
  9. Web site: The university at a glance - fall 2017. frostburg.edu. Frostburg State University. May 28, 2018.
  10. Web site: University accreditation. www.frostburg.edu. Frostburg State University. October 18, 2015.
  11. Book: Journal of proceedings. 1902. King Bros., State Printers. 42. October 18, 2015.
  12. Book: Dunkle . John L. . Early History of the State Teachers College, Frostburg, Maryland . 1953 . 72 . 18 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194828/http://www.whilbr.org/itemdetail.aspx?idEntry=6895 . March 4, 2016.
  13. Web site: History. March 24, 2013.
  14. News: Frostburg Gets Normal School.. The Washington Post. August 10, 1898.
  15. News: SCHOOLS AND POLITICS.: Gov. Lowndes, in Address at Corner-stone Laying. The Washington Post. September 5, 1899.
  16. Web site: Brownsville of Frostburg . www.whilbr.org . Western Maryland Historical Library . March 27, 2013.
  17. Web site: Andrews. Ronald W.. Historic Site Survey. OLD MAIN building. Tri-County Council for Western Maryland, Inc.. March 24, 2013.
  18. Web site: 100 commencement history. March 28, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140723183906/http://rsu.edu/news/2010/061710_commencement100yearsago.asp. July 23, 2014.
  19. Web site: Edmund Dandridge Murdaugh. March 28, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20141217065307/http://ancestors.pitard.net/getperson.php?personID=I13810&tree=Pitard. December 17, 2014. dead.
  20. Web site: History of the University - Frostburg State University.
  21. Web site: Allegany County Historical Women. Western Maryland Regional Library.
  22. Book: Dunkle, John L.. Early History of the State Teachers College, Frostburg, Maryland. 1953. 3.
  23. News: Woman to Head Frostburg College. The Washington Post. January 31, 1945.
  24. Web site: Maryland Manual. Maryland State Archives. March 29, 2013.
  25. Web site: Marylands woman's Hall of fame. Maryland State Archives, 2001. March 23, 2013.
  26. Book: American Council on Education. Higher education in Maryland; a report of a survey with recommendations of the Maryland Commission on Higher Education, 1947. 1947. Maryland State Government. Maryland. 364.
  27. Web site: History of the University. Frostburg State University.
  28. Web site: Frostburg State University unveils multiyear plan to slash over $7M . August 5, 2024 . Natalie . Schwartz . . August 5, 2024.
  29. Book: Annual Report of the Commissioner of Education, Volume 1. 1909. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington DC. 593.
  30. News: College Head Quits. The Washington Post. October 21, 1944.
  31. Web site: Former Presidents FSU. Maryland Government. March 31, 2013.
  32. News: R. Bowen Hardesty. The Washington Post. February 26, 1964.
  33. News: Faculty Unrest and Resignation Reported at Frostburg State College. The Washington Post. May 1, 1966.
  34. News: Frostburg College Picks Guild as New President. The Washington Post. July 22, 1969.
  35. News: Frostburg State College Gets a New President. The Washington Post. April 20, 1986.
  36. Web site: FORMER PRESIDENT. Maryland State Government. March 31, 2013.
  37. Web site: Graduate Study at FSU. Frostburg State University.
  38. Web site: Academic programs . Frostburg State University . June 3, 2018.
  39. Web site: Accrediting agencies . frostburg.edu . Frostburg State University . June 4, 2018.
  40. Web site: AACSB Accreditation . frostburg.edu . Frostburg State University . June 3, 2018.
  41. Frostburg State University college of education nationally accredited . College of Education Newsletter . 1 . 1 . June 3, 2018.
  42. Web site: Accreditation, Certification and Licensure Information . 2022-12-27 . www.frostburg.edu . en.
  43. Web site: Study abroad programs . frostburg.edu . Frostburg State University . June 3, 2018.
  44. News: raley . j. . Frostburg state wants to expand educational opportunities with china . June 3, 2018 . Cumberland times-news . February 18, 2008.
  45. Frostburg State University. "Recreation and Parks Management", frostburg.edu.
  46. Frostburg State University. "Department of Biology", frostburg.edu.
  47. July 5, 2018 . Frostburg State Set To Join Mountain East Conference . Press release . . . July 5, 2018.
  48. ECC Adds Frostburg State University as Men's Lacrosse Associate Members . Frostburg State University Athletics . . December 8, 2018 . . en . Press release . December 7, 2018.
  49. Web site: Capital Athletic Conference Adds Frostburg State University For the 2010-11 Season; Gallaudet Withdraws After 2009-10 To Join NEAC - Capital Ath. Conf.. Cacsports.com.
  50. Web site: Frostburg State University and Salisbury University Join Empire 8 Football; Teams Will Play Full Conference Schedule Starting in 2011. Empire8.com.
  51. Web site: Frostburg State University - Frostburg State Championships & Postseason Appearances. Frostburgsports.com.
  52. News: About Us . The Bottom Line . Frostburg State University . June 3, 2018.
  53. Web site: Meet Your SGA . Frostburg.edu . March 23, 2022.
  54. Web site: Lombardi. M. About FSU-TV3. https://web.archive.org/web/20110610052611/http://www.frostburg.edu/fsu-tv3/about/. dead. June 10, 2011. www.frostburg.edu. Frostburg State University. October 20, 2015. FSU-TV3 is Frostburg State University's 24-hour ....
  55. Web site: Mass communication department. mirror.frostburg.edu. Frostburg State University. October 20, 2015.
  56. Web site: About FSU-TV3. www.facebook.com. October 20, 2015. The Frostburg studio is now equipped ....
  57. Web site: Lombardi. M. About FSU-TV3. mirror.frostburg.edu. Frostburg State University. October 20, 2015. These shows include documentaries ....
  58. Web site: WFWM Public Radio - Frostburg State University. Wfwm.org.
  59. Web site: Greek Life - Frostburg State University. Involvement.frostburg.edu. March 5, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140305045417/http://involvement.frostburg.edu/sci/student-activities/greek/fraternities-and-sororities/. March 5, 2014. dead.
  60. Web site: Skidmore. T.. Woodward d. pealer performing arts center (PAC). facilities. Frostburg State University. May 29, 2018.
  61. Web site: Arnold. T.. Performing arts center. frostburg.edu. Frostburg State University. May 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180529193652/https://www.frostburg.edu/admin/confer/pac/. May 29, 2018. dead.
  62. Web site: Facilities at FSU - Frostburg State University. Frostburg.edu.
  63. Web site: Children's Literature Centre - Frostburg State University. Frostburg.edu.
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  65. Web site: Eve kristine vetulani (belfoure) . . May 30, 2018.
  66. Web site: Foundation. Frostburg.edu. May 30, 2018.
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  68. Web site: Donald P. Hutchinson. September 25, 2013. Maryland Manual On-line. Maryland State Archives. March 30, 2014.
  69. Web site: John N. Bambacus. Society of Senates Past Roster. Maryland State Archives. March 30, 2014. February 11, 1999.
  70. News: Kelly . Jacques . Jack Blessing, Baltimore-born actor, dies . September 11, 2018 . . January 3, 2018 . live . subscription . https://web.archive.org/web/20200716071140/https://www.baltimoresun.com/obituaries/bs-md-ob-jack-blessing-20180103-story.html . July 16, 2020.
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