University of Maryland Eastern Shore Campus - Hawk Yearbook (Princess Anne, MD)

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ginning of research. It is the intention of the State, apparently, to provide at Princess Anne work of a comparable quality and standard to that at College Park. The development at Princess Anne will involve four-year work in the arts and sciences, in the field of mechanic arts, in home eco- nomics, and in agriculture. It is expected that agricul- tural research will be carried on at Princess Anne as well as at College Park. The future of that part of the University of Maryland located at Princess Anne seems now to be assured. The Challenge In September 1947, the president of the University and the chairman of the Board of Regents in a conference held in the office of the president of Princess Anne College (now Mary- land State College) carefully pointed out the job ahead as indicated by the statements appearing in the catalog of that year and made pertinent comments concerning them. Among the many comments offered were statements concerning the necessity for the students and employees of the college to give attention and regard to the mores and folkways of the people of the local geographic area. A discussion concerning the immediate present need for strengthening the offerings of John Henry Nutter 1857-1949 Offered First Position As Principal Pezavia O ' Connell 1861-1930 Third Principal, 1899-1902 12 Thomas H. Kiah 1873-1936 Fifth Principal

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ed leadership with distinction in making a newer and better College in Princess Anne. As in past years, the College is intimately a part of the history of Somerset and the Shore. Its roots are deep. Its work has been a lasting contribution to the people of the County and the State. Its future is more promising than ever before. Its doors are always open to visitors and friends. Maryland State College has truly become The People ' s College. 1948-1967 In 1948, the Eastern Branch of the University of Maryland, popularly known as Princess Anne College became officially Maryland State College, A Division Of The University Of Maryland. The first head of the institution to bear the title of presi- dent had been employed in September 1947. When the new administration of the college was begun, the president of the college was instructed by both the executive officer of the Board of Regents and the chairman at that time that he must build a good college; the land-grant function must be carried out; and as well as possible the graduates of the school must be of such caliber that their educational status would be un- questioned. The printed catalog of 1947-48 stated the purpose of the College as follows: The principal purpose of the college is to offer training in theory and practice by which the student can make advancement in his field of study and develop his pow- ers to understand the world in which he lives, to choose wisely his life work, and to function agreeably and ef- fectively in the society which he must help to maintain. The realization of this purpose is sought through: 1. Carefully planned four-year curricula in Agri- cultural Education. Home Economics and Home Economics Education, Mechanic Arts and Indus- trial Education, and two years of Arts and Sciences. 2. Wholesome extra-curricular activities for train- ing in good sportsmanship, health development, and the proper use of leisure. These activities include opportunities for development of the Christian philosophy. It is interesting to note the declaration which immediatly follows the statement of purpose, as recorded in this same catalog: For the first time, the Maryland Legislature has indi- cated its intention to provide adequate funds for the development of the Princess Anne College as an inte- gral part of the University of Maryland. The Legislature has almost quadrupled the annual appropriation of the College for maintenance, raising it from $33,183.00 to $113,633.00. This means a better paid and a larger fac- ulty, more efficient teaching for students, and the be- OLK€V Olney, Built In 1798

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the college followed, and finally some attention was directed to the expected increased support of the institution. In brief, it was concluded by the officers of the board that from the time the State assumed control of the college program, in terms of excellence, the institution had won little recognition as a center of learning in higher education. It was the further observation of the regents that the derogatory statements coming forward relative to the neglect of the college had merit and that they had been assured that adequate financial support for the college would be immediately forthcoming. It was stressed that assurance of increased aid was possible because the people of the State were demanding that the program of Princess Anne be placed on a sound basis, and the Regents were ready to see that this was done. Thus, in September 1947, when the present administration of Maryland State College began, high regard was given by the new president to the challenge presented. However, it must be stressed that at that time the prestige of the college was so low that the Higher Education in Maryland survey 6. The control of a negro college by a Board of Re- gents whose main interest is in a State University for white students is not likely to result in satisfac- tory facilities for negro students. Indeed, in addition to the publicity given to the recommen- dations included in this survey, several prominent newspa- pers at that time found it difficult to justify the continued existence of the institution. The fact is, during the period mentioned above, intense and vitriolic hostility on the part of many negroes and white people was directed against officials of the University of Maryland, other supporters of the college, and the president of the institution for advocating the con- tinuation of Maryland State College. This was the climate surrounding the college when on De- cember 17, 1947, the Legislative Council met on the Campus of Maryland State College in a day-long session to consider formally the necessity for continuing the existence of this particular state-supported institution. A general feeling of opposition was directed toward the decision of this body when Graduating Class, 1894 recommended that, along with other colleges, the Princess Anne College should be abohshed. In brief, according to the survey, the principal reasons underlying this recommendation were: 1- The college is unfortunately located . ... it is dif- ficult of access from other areas of the State ... 2. The Institution has no recognition by either na- tional or regional accrediting agencies. 3. The cost per student is excessively high, even though the quality of the program is low. 4. It can never hope to attract a student body for efficient operation .... 5. Princess Anne College is now a branch of the Uni- versity of Maryland. Under this arrangement, the development of the negro land-grant college has been shamefully neglected. it recommended that the college should continue its operation. In the period under discussion the concepts and attitudes expressed by news media and from certain quarters in the State were so adverse that a newly-elected Governor of Mary- land in his inaugural address included a statement to the effect that there would be no increase in funds for the college until certain answers were forthcoming and a number of de- cisions had been made. This assertion rang so loudly throughout the State that for the first time since the beginning of the new administra- tion in 1947, negro citizens of the Eastern Shore Counties organized the Eastern Shore Citizens ' Association, in an at- tempt to defend the college. One of the efforts of this associ- ation was to send 750 people to Annapolis to witness the attempts of their elected officers to explain to the Governor of 13