Bowie State University
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Bowie State University, located on 338½ acres (1.4 km²) in Bowie, Maryland, is part of the University System of Maryland. The university is Maryland's oldest historically black university.
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History
Bowie State's history began in 1865 when the Baltimore Association for the Moral and Educational Improvement of Colored People established the Baltimore Normal School in Baltimore, Maryland to train African American teachers. In 1908 the school was renamed Normal School #3 after the state Board of Education provided funding for and assumed control of the institution. By 1914 the school had moved to Prince George's County, Maryland and become known as Maryland Normal and Industrial School at Bowie. It became the Maryland State Teachers College at Bowie in 1935 and Bowie State College in 1963. In 1988 it achieved university status.
Academics
Schools
- School of Arts and Sciences (http://www.bowiestate.edu/bowieweb/artssci/index.html)
- School of Business
- School of Education (http://education.bowiestate.edu/index.php)
- School of Professional Studies (http://www.bowiestate.edu/bowieweb/acadres/SchProfStud.html)
- School of Graduate and Continuing Education (http://www.bowiestate.edu/bowieweb/graduateWebsite/Graduate.html)
Academic history
BSU has 25 undergraduate majors, 11 master’s programs, and a doctoral program in disciplines such as as diverse as computer science, education, human resource development, communications, and nursing. In partnership with the University of Maryland University College, Bowie State University became the first historically black university to include overseas studies. It was also the first university in the nation to offer a bachleor degree in pedology. Programs also include a rare doctoral degree in education leadership, a program for educational administrators.
In 1995, NASA and the National Science Foundation awarded $27 million as one of only six schools in the nation declared Model Institutions for Excellence (http://www.mieprogram.org/) in science, engineering, and mathematics. This lead to a strengthening of the already growing computer science program; in 1999, the Maryland Higher Education Commission approved the schools additional focus in computers and technology. Since then new technology related programs including music technology and a strengthened computer science department have been added. Further examples of the technological focus include addition of the university grounds becoming a Wireless campus, and in 2004, the online registration program replaced the previous system.
Campus and facilities
The campus is comprised of over 24 buildings with more than 988,897 square feet (92,000 m²) of space. The oldest building still in use is Tubman hall which was built in 1921. The $6.5 million Center for Learning Technology (CLT) is a state-of-the-art facility serving the computer science and computer technology programs. Other recent additions to the campus include the Bowie Place (http://www.bowieplace.com) dormitory. The University is located between the metropolitan areas of Baltimore (25 miles) and Washington D.C. (17 miles). An on campus Marc Train Station and | Metrobus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Metropolitan_Area_Transit_Authority) services provide means for students to travel. It is a Wireless campus with computer labs in each building for student use.
Twenty-three percent of students live on campus in seven residence halls. Cultural performances, lectures and sporting events are among the frequent on campusevents.
The Bowie State Satellite Operations Control Center was created by NASA as an orbiting satellite operation and control center to allow undergraduates the experience of staffing such a facility. It is linked to the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD
Clubs and organizations
Fraternaties and academic guilds are included in student activies. English, education and criminal justice are just examples of clubs. The concert and marching bands, art guild, jazz and brass ensembles, and others allow people to explore the fine and performing arts. The student newspaper, The Spectrum, and WBSU Radio allow for students to monitor campus events and news. Humanistic programs include Good Brothers and Good sisters; fraternaties also are involved in the community.
Athletics
Bowie State's athletes play in the Eastern Division of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, participating in the NCAA's Division II. Both the men's football and the basketball head coaches were named CIAA Coach of the Year for the 2001-2002 school year.
Notable alumni
- Toni Braxton
- Christa McAuliffe: NASA Astronaut
- Joanne Benson: Maryland State Assembly Delegate
- James Proctor, Jr.: Maryland State Assembly Delegate
- James L. Walls, Jr.: Politician
External links
- Bowie State University (http://www.bowiestate.edu) Official Site
- Bulldogs Online (http://www.bsubulldogs.com/) Official Site of Bowie State Athletics
- Google Bowie State (http://www.google.com/univ/bowiestate)