The Past

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore had its origin on September 13, 1886. Initiated under the auspices of the Delaware Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, it opened as the Delaware Conference Academy in Princess Anne on that date with nine students and one faculty.

Records reveal that 37 students were enrolled by the end of the year. Subsequently, the institution bore the title of Industrial Branch of Morgan State College, still under the influence of the Delaware Conference. As originally operated by Morgan State College under the control of the Methodist Church, the institution was known as the Princess Anne Academy.

The State of Maryland, in operating it's land-grant program at the Maryland Agricultural College at College Park, to which African- Americans were not admitted as students, sought to provide a Land- Grant program for African- Americans. Therefore, the Maryland Agricultural College at College Park assumed control of the Princess Anne Academy renaming it the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Agricultural College. The arrangement was effected in 1919.

In 1926, the College passed into complete control and ownership of the State and the University of Maryland was designated as the administrative agency.

In 1948, the Eastern Shore Branch of the University of Maryland, popularly known as Princess Anne College, became officially Maryland State College, a division of the University of Maryland. On July 1, 1970, Maryland State College became the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The Present

From its original building on campus known as "Olney," constructed in 1798 when George Washington was still alive, the university has grown to over 600 acres, 28 major buildings and 41 other units. With the strong support of the University of Maryland Board of Regents, Systems Administration, and the faculty, UMES has developed an academic program perhaps more impressive than and other higher education institution in the East. Within the last decade, UMES has added 17 degree- granting programs to its academic roster. Graduates of these programs often choose to remain of the Delmarva Peninsula, procuring careers in their areas of profession study, to benefit the region particularly the lower Eastern Shore.

Today, the university offers major programs leading to the B.A. and B.S. degrees in 26 disciplines in the arts and sciences, professional studies and agricultural sciences. In addition, UMES presents 13 teaching degree programs and eight pre-professional programs, as well as an Honors Program designed in cooperation with the University of Maryland at Baltimore and the Virginia- Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine to prepare students for professional school study.

UMES offers graduate degrees in the following fields: Marine- Estuarine and Environmental Sciences and Toxicology are offered at both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels. The M.S. degree is offered in Agricultural and Extension Education, Applied Computer Science, and Food and Agricultural Sciences. The M.Ed. Degree is offered in the Guidance and Counseling and Special Education and the MPT degree is offered in Physical Therapy.

Today the university offers not only a well- constructed and varied academic program but a beautiful campus as well. It provides today's students, through versatile student life activities, with opportunities to develop into well- rounded individuals who are able to assume leadership in today's society.

The newest programs on the UMES campus also look toward current and future needs of the Eastern Shore. Airway Science, Law Enforcement, and Rehabilitation Services have all been recently added to the University's offerings. Greater course offerings during the evening and weekend hours have also been developed, allowing a greater segment of the population to enhance themselves and their communities through post-secondary education.

The Future

As the University of Maryland Eastern Shore enters its second century, it continues with an even greater vigor, the extent of progress and the apexes of quality continue to expand.

Long-term plans include expanding the curriculum for graduate study; new construction and renovation projects for classrooms and administrative buildings and an improved physical plant.

As the Eastern Shore continues to gain in productivity and recognition, UMES will continue to serve the needs of the industries and people around it. UMES is the only four-year institution on the shore o offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science. The University has long been known for providing professional training in the key regional and local industries of hospitality management and the management of commercial poultry and swine operations. The prediction is that this local enrichment will continue as more students enroll in the University's programs of business and economics, physical therapy, hotel and restaurant management, poultry technology and management and computer science. Likewise the outlook is good for the sciences, agriculture, liberal arts, and graduate programs.