University of Maryland Eastern Shore

University of Maryland Eastern Shore gathering

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

History

Founded in 1886 as the Delaware Conference Academy, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is a land-grant, HBCU that has survived numerous governing bodies and name changes, beginning with a mere nine students and one faculty member, likely from farming families in the area.

It was founded as a branch of Baltimore’s Centenary Bible Institute, which in 1890 became known as Morgan College.

With the adoption of the 2nd Morrill Act, the “Industrial Branch” of Morgan in rural Somerset County started receiving funding through the state of Maryland – and eventually was rechristened, Princess Anne Academy.

College-level work was added to the curriculum in 1927 and it essentially served as a junior college for the next 10 years.

The state of Maryland acquired the Princess Anne campus outright from Morgan in 1935 a year later the newly renamed Princess Anne College was placed under the jurisdiction of the University of Maryland in College Park.

In 1948, the name was changed to Maryland State College; it was again renamed the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 1970.

A change in governance structure initiated by the Legislature placed UMES under the University of Maryland System in 1988. Subsequently, the system was renamed the University System of Maryland in 1997.

Academic Merit

University of Maryland Eastern Shore has developed an academic program above, and perhaps more impressive, than any other higher educational institution of its size in the East.

UMES is the only four-year institution on the eastern shore to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science, plus these degreed programs:

• Accounting
• Agriculture
• Applied Design
• Commercial Photography
• Graphic Illustration
• Sequential Arts
• Art Education
• Aviation Science
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Chemistry
• Construction Management/Technology
• Criminal Justice
• Digital Media Studies
• Engineering
• English
• Environmental Science
• Health Fitness
• Finance
• History
• Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Human Ecology
• Childhood Development
• Family and Consumer Science Education
• Mathematics
• Music Education
• Professional Golf Management
• Rehabilitation Psychology
• Sociology
• Technology and Engineering Education

UMES is a Doctoral University (Moderate Research Activity), according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Campus Life

Located in the historic Maryland town of Princess Anne listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the campus encompasses over 600 picturesque acres, 28 major buildings, and 41 other units.

Many students arrive from neighboring cities including Baltimore (119 miles), Washington, DC (133 miles), Philadelphia (139 miles), Richmond (180 miles), and New York City (239 miles).

ADDRESS: 11868 Backbone Road, Princess Anne, MD MAP
PHONE: 410-651-6144
WEBSITE: https://www.umes.edu

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