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Introduction
On March 6, 1856 the Maryland Agriculture College was chartered. Soon after, the college purchased the Calvert Plantation including 420 acres upon which three faculty members taught three subjects, agriculture, mechanical arts, and military tactics, to 34 students.Almost 150 years later, Maryland's thirteen schools and colleges now reside on 1,200 acres. There are 2,874 faculty members who teach 25,000 undergraduate students and nearly 10,000 graduate students. Students have their choice to study from over 100 majors.
The University of Maryland is now one of the nation's top 20 public research universities and an economic catalyst for the state. In fact, for every dollar the state invests in the University's future, the University puts nearly six dollars back into the economy. Among the top 20 national public universities, Maryland is number one in the total number of degrees conferred upon African-American students. Excelling among peers for federal research contracts and grants, the University of Maryland will, during its anniversary year, lead a $279 million mission that promises astronomers a first look inside a comet. The University has come a long way, has much to celebrate, and even more to anticipate.
In fall 2005, the University will begin a yearlong series of events designed to acknowledge milestones in our history, highlight significant achievements and emphasize the future of the university as A Model of The Modern Research University.
Happy Anniversary, University of Maryland!
Email the 150th Anniversary Committee at 150years@umd.edu