The University of Maryland, College Park (also known as UM, UMD, or UMCP) is a public university located in College Park, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. The flagship institution of the University System of Maryland, the university is most often referred to as the University of Maryland or simply Maryland, even though the formal name remains University of Maryland, College Park. 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... University System of Maryland The University System of Maryland (USM) is a public corporation and charter school system comprising 13 Maryland institutions of higher education. ... Location in Maryland Founded  -Incorporated {{{incorporated}}}  County Prince Georges County Mayor Stephen A. Brayman Area  - Total  - Water 14. ... Illustration of the backyards of a surburban neighbourhood Suburbs are inhabited districts located either on the outer rim of a city or outside the official limits of a city (the term varies from country to country), or the outer elements of a conurbation. ... Location in Maryland Founded  -Incorporated {{{incorporated}}}  County Prince Georges County Mayor Stephen A. Brayman Area  - Total  - Water 14. ... Washington, D.C., short for the District of Columbia (locals know the city as the District, DC,—or, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United States of America. ... University System of Maryland The University System of Maryland (USM) is a public corporation and charter school system comprising 13 Maryland institutions of higher education. ...

History

Early history

On March 6, 1856, the University of Maryland was chartered as the Maryland Agricultural College (MAC). Two years later, 420 acres (1.7 km²) of the Riverdale Plantation in College Park were purhcased for $21,000 by a descendent of the Barons Baltimore, Charles Benedict Calvert. Calvert founded the school later that year with money earned by the sale of stock certificates. On October 6, 1859 the first 34 students entered the Maryland Agricultural College, including four of Charles Calvert's sons. 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Baron Baltimore is a defunct title in the Peerage of Ireland. ... 1859 is a common year starting on Saturday. ...

In July 1862, the same month that the MAC awarded its first degrees, President Lincoln signed the Morrill Land Grant Act. The legislation provided federal funds to schools that teach agriculture, engineering, or provide military training. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the school became a land grant college in February 1864 after the Maryland legislature voted to approve the Morrill Act. Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was the 16th President of the United States (1861–1865), and the first president from the Republican Party. ... The Morrill Land-Grant Acts are pieces of US legislation which allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges, which would be funded by the grant of federally-controlled land to each of the states which had stayed with the United States during the American Civil War. ... Land-grant universities (also called land-grant colleges or land grant institutions) are American institutions which have been designated by a Congress to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890. ...

Civil War period

A few months after accepting the grant, the Maryland Agricultural College proved to be an important site in the Civil War. In April of 1864, General Ambrose E. Burnside and 6,000 troops of the Union's Ninth Army Corps camped on the MAC campus. The troops were en route to reenforce General Ulysses S. Grant's forces in Virginia. Later that summer, Confederate soldiers led by General Bradley T. Johnson stayed on the grounds while preparing to take part in a raid against Washington. Problems caused by the Civil War and a decline in student enrollment sent the Maryland Agricultural College into bankruptcy. For the next two years the campus was used as a boys preparatory school. The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Portrait of Ambrose Burnside by Mathew Brady, ca. ... Ulysses Simpson Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American Civil War General and the 18th (1869–1877) President of the United States. ... State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Official languages English Area 110,862 km² (35th)  - Land 102,642 km²  - Water 8,220 km² (7. ...

Post-war era

Following the Civil War, the Maryland legislature pulled the college out of bankruptcy and in February 1866 assumed half ownership of the school. The college then became, in part, a state institution. George Washington Curtis Lee, son of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, became president of the college but was replaced within the year. By October 1867, the school reopened with 11 students. In the next six years, enrollment at the college continued to grow, and the school's debt was finally paid off. Twenty years later, the school's reputation as a research institution began as the federally-funded Agricultural Experiment Station was established at the college. During the same period, a number of state laws granted the college regulatory powers in a number of areas -- including controlling farm disease, inspecting feed, establishing a state weather bureau and geological survey, and housing the board of forestry. Also in 1888, the college began its first official intercollegiate baseball games against rivals St. John's College and the United States Naval Academy. Baseball, however, had been played at the college for decades before the first "official" games were recorded. 1866 is a common year starting on Monday. ... For the author of Inherit the Wind and other works, see Robert Edwin Lee. ... 1867 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... St. ... Teamwork: Fourth Class Midshipmen lock arms and use ropes made from uniform items as they brace themselves climbing the Herndon Monument The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is an institution for the undergraduate education of officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps and is located in Annapolis, Maryland. ...

In 1897 the first fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa, was established on campus, and Morill Hall (the oldest instructional building still in use on campus) was built the following year. Unfortunately, in November 1912 a fire that began at a Thanksgiving dance destroyed the dormitories, all the school's records, and most of the academic buildings; only Morrill Hall was left untouched. The loss was appraised at $250,000 despite no injuries or fatalities. A large brick and concrete compass inlaid in the ground designates the former center of campus as it existed in 1912. Lines engraved in the compass pointed to each building that was destroyed in the Thanksgiving Day fire. The only building not marked on the compass is Morrill Hall, which was eerily spared by the blaze. 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ...

Recent history

The State took complete control of the school in 1916, and consequently the institution was renamed Maryland State College. Also that year, the first female students enrolled at the school and four years later established the first official sorority, Sigma Delta. On April 9, 1920, the college merged with the pre-established professional schools in Baltimore to form the University of Maryland. The graduate school on the College Park campus awarded its first Ph.D. degrees, and the University's enrollment reached 500 students in the same year. In 1925 the University was granted accreditation by the Association of American Universities. 1916 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 -The first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ... 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... University of Maryland, Baltimore University of Maryland, Baltimore, (also known as UMB), is located on 56 acres (230,000 m²) in downtown Baltimore, Maryland and is part of the University System of Maryland. ... 1925 was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...

By the time the first African American students enrolled at the University in 1951, enrollment at the school had grown to nearly 10,000 students -- 4,000 of whom were women. A push was made in 1957 by president Wilson H. Elkins to increase academic standards at the University. His efforts resulted in the creation of one of the first Academic Probation Plans. The first year the plan went into effect, 1,550 students (18% of the total student body) faced expulsion. Since then, academic standards at the school have steadily risen. Recognizing the improvement in academics, the national honors fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, established a chapter at the University in 1964. Previously, the school had been rejected twice for membership. The University continued to grow, and by the fall of 1985, the school reached an enrollment of 38,679 -- the highest in school history. 1951 was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... 1957 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1964 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1985 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In a massive 1988 restructuring of the state higher education system, the school was designated as the flagship campus of the newly-formed University System of Maryland and was formally named University of Maryland, College Park. The University is currently headed by president C. Daniel Mote, Jr. 1988 is a leap year starting on a Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... University System of Maryland The University System of Maryland (USM) is a public corporation and charter school system comprising 13 Maryland institutions of higher education. ...

On September 24, 2001, a tornado struck the College Park campus, killing two students and causing $15 million in damage to 12 buildings. September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... A tornado over land. ...

Name and structural changes

In 1997, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation allowing the University of Maryland, College Park to be known simply as the University of Maryland, recognizing the campus's role as the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... University System of Maryland The University System of Maryland (USM) is a public corporation and charter school system comprising 13 Maryland institutions of higher education. ...

The other University System of Maryland institutions with the name "University of Maryland" are not satellite campuses of the University of Maryland, College Park, and are not referred to as such. For the above historical reasons, the University of Maryland, Baltimore is also sometimes called "University of Maryland." This is not a significant point of confusion, as UMB is limited to graduate professional education. University of Maryland, Baltimore University of Maryland, Baltimore, (also known as UMB), is located on 56 acres (230,000 m²) in downtown Baltimore, Maryland and is part of the University System of Maryland. ...

Academics

Colleges & degree programs

The University of Maryland also has a number of stand-alone academic programs in many fields. These undergraduate programs pull faculty from many different colleges and departments and a degree certificate or minor may be granted upon completion.

† denotes availability of both undergraduate and graduate program
‡ denotes availability of graduate or professional program only
◊ denotes availability of undegraduate minor or certificate program

Program Notes: An undergraduate minor may be available even if marked as a graduate program only. Programs marked as having a minor may not have a complete undegraduate major available. Some programs may also be inter-disciplinary in nature, in which case the program is listed under its adminstrating college or school.

Living-learning programs

Specialized programs offer students academic, community service, and research opportunities outside of the traditional classroom interaction. Students are often invited into these programs based on academic merit, current community service involvement, and racial/ethnic designation. In some programs, a degree certificate or minor may be awarded upon completion. Current programs are given with their specific emphasis:

• Civicus - Emphasis on broad community service.
• College Park Scholars - Community service and academic rigor within a chosen field.
• Gemstone - Specific topical research based academic rigor.
• Global Communities - Cultural diversity program.
• Hinman CEOs - Entrepreneurship based business style learning.
• Honors Humanities - Seminar based academic rigor with an emphasis on the arts and humanities.
• Language House - Language acquisition and immersion program.
• Jimenez-Porter Writers' House - Creative writing program.
• University Honors Program - Broad seminar based academic rigor.

Research

On October 14, 2004 the university added 150 acres (607,000 m²) in an ambitious attempt to create the largest research park inside the Washington, DC Capital Beltway. "M Square" solidifies the university's goal of excellent undergraduate education coupled with breakthrough research. The current construction of a new Bioscience Research Building on campus will also be sure to bolster university research in life sciences and continue driving forward the state's already impressive biotechnology industry. October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in Leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... The Capital Beltway (in green) The Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) is an expressway-class interstate highway which circles the Washington, DC area. ...

The University of Maryland's unique location near Washington, DC has created strong research partnerships, especially with government agencies. These relationships have created numerous research opportunities for the university including: Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United...

• taking the lead in the nation-wide research initiative into the transmission and prevention of Avian influenza
• creating a new research center to study the behaviorial and social foundations of terrorism with a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• launching the joint NASA-University of Maryland "Deep Impact" spacecraft in early January, 2005.

Influenza A virus, the virus that causes Avian flu. ... The Oxford English Dictionary defines terrorism as a policy intended to strike with terror those against whom it is adopted; the employment of methods of intimidation; the fact of terrorizing or condition of being terrorized. ... The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a Cabinet department of the federal government of the United States that is concerned with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which was established in 1958, is the agency responsible for the public space program of the United States of America. ...

Athletics

Athletics logo containing the Terrapin mascot

The school's sports teams are called the Terrapins (a type of turtle). The Terrapin mascot of the University (pictured at right) is named ‘Testudo.’ The Terrapins sports teams participate in the NCAA's Division I-A, and the school is a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The school has four "team colors" -- black, gold, red, and white (which are the colors of the Maryland state flag). University of Maryland, College Park sports logo. ... University of Maryland, College Park sports logo. ... Families See text Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudinata, most of whose body is shielded by a special bony shell developed from their ribs. ... The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA, often said NC-Double-A) is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletics programs of many colleges and universities in the United States. ... The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is one of the oldest collegiate athletic leagues in the United States. ...

Since 2000, the university's athletics program has achieved national prominence.

The football program had achieved little success for many years when Ralph Friedgen, a Maryland graduate in the class of 1970, was hired as head coach in November 2000. Friedgen has dramatically reversed the fortunes of Terrapin football in his three seasons, leading the team to 31 wins, an appearance in the BCS Orange Bowl, commanding victories in the Peach Bowl and the Gator Bowl, consecutive top-3 finishes in conference, and the only outright ACC regular season title since Florida State's entry into the conference in 1992. United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... Ralph Friedgen (b. ... The BCS stands for Bowl Championship Series, a computer ranking format and bowl setup that has decided the unofficial but de facto NCAA Division I-A national football championship since 1998. ... The Orange Bowl is an annual college football game that is usually played on January 1 in Miami, Florida. ... The Peach Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Atlanta, Georgia since December, 1968. ... The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played in Jacksonville, Florida. ... Florida State University State University System of Florida FAMU FAU FGCU FIU FSU NCF UCF UF UNF USF UWF Florida State University, also commonly referred to as FSU or Florida State, is a comprehensive, graduate-national research university founded and located in Tallahassee, Florida in 1851. ...

Men's basketball is the most popular sport at Maryland and is under the guidance of another Maryland graduate, Gary Williams '68. Williams, who returned to his alma mater in 1989 after successful stints at other universities, inherited a program that was suffering the after-effects of the death of Len Bias as well as NCAA rules infractions under Williams' predecessor. After several years of competing under recruiting sanctions related to these events, Williams has elevated the Terp program to the level of conference foes Duke and North Carolina. Williams has led Maryland to eleven consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (1993-2004) and eight consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins (1996–2004). In addition, he has taken the Terps to the tournament's Regional Semifinals (Sweet Sixteen) seven times, to back-to-back [[Final Four]']s, and the school's first NCAA title in men's basketball in 2002. With one of the youngest teams in the nation, Williams led his team to his first ACC Tournament title in 2004. Basketball is very popular in U.S. colleges. ... Gary Williams (born March 4, 1945 in Collingswood, New Jersey) is the current head coach of the University of Maryland, College Parks mens basketball team. ... Alma mater is a term of academia. ... 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Len Bias Leonard K. Bias (November 18, 1963 – June 19, 1986) was a basketball player who died of a cocaine overdose less than 48 hours after being selected by the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA Draft. ... The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA, often said NC-Double-A) is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletics programs of many colleges and universities in the United States. ... Duke Chapel Duke University is a private, coeducational university in Durham, North Carolina in the United States. ... The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is the eleventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. ...

Beyond these primary revenue sports, Maryland excels in other areas.

Women's basketball is in the midst of a resurgence under former Minnesota coach Brenda Frese, having advanced to the second round of the 2004 women's NCAA tournament. This was the first tournament win for the program in twelve years.

Men's soccer has been to three Final Fours since 1998. Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players, each attempting to win by scoring more goals than their opponent. ...

The field hockey team has made a handful of Final Four appearances and won the 1999 national title. A game of field hockey in progress Field hockey is a popular sport for men and women in many countries around the world. ...

The volleyball team won the ACC tournament in 2003 and qualified for their own NCAA tournament. Volleyball is a popular sport where teams, separated by a high net, hit a ball back and forth between the teams. ...

In lacrosse, Maryland has been a consistent national leader. The women's lacrosse team, under the direction of Cindy Timchal, has won seven national titles, been an NCAA finalist in eleven of the last fourteen years, and produced more All-American's in the sport than any other school. The men's program is always among the top 10 programs nationally. High School lacrosse action. ... All-American, a Broadway musical with book by Mel Brooks, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Lee Adams, opened in New York on March 19, 1962, and played 80 performances. ...

Despite the Athletic Department's increase in winning seasons, the rowdy post-game behavior of its fans -- which in recent years has resulted in destructive riots -- has been a source of embarrassment for university alumni and city residents.

The Diamondback

The independent student newspaper is The Diamondback. It was founded in 1910 as The Triangle and renamed in 1921 in honor of a local reptile, the Diamondback terrapin (the terrapin became the official school mascot in 1933). The newspaper is published five times a week during sessions and once a week during the summer. 1910 in topic: Arts Architecture- Art- Film- Literature- Music- Television Science and technology Aviation- Rail transport- Radio- Science Other topics Australia- Canada- Ireland- South Africa- Sport Births- Deaths Lists of leaders: State leaders - Religious leaders 1910 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1921 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is the State Reptile of the U.S. state of Maryland. ... 1933 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

See Also

• List of University of Maryland, College Park Alumni
• List of University of Maryland, College Park Faculty
• List of University of Maryland, College Park Notable Others

Notable alumni of the University of Maryland, College Park include: Carmen Balthrop, internationally recognized soprano and faculty member, performed at the White House, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall Robert Basham, Co-founder/COO of Outback Steakhouse Gail Berman, president of Paramount Pictures Bonnie Bernstein, network TV sports reporter Len Bias... Well-known faculty of the University of Maryland, College Park (past and present) include: Michael Brin, mathematician David S. Broder, journalist, winner of Pulitzer Prize in 1973 Rachel Carson, ecologist and author of Silent Spring Michael E. Fisher, winner of Wolf Prize in physics Jon Franklin, alumnus (70) and Pulitzer... This list is intended to capture the notable benefactors and other people connected with the University of Maryland, College Park, but who are not famous alumni or faculty. ...

External links

• University of Maryland website
• The Diamondback, the independent student newspaper
• WMUC, the college radio station
• University of Maryland Terrapins Official Athletic Site

University System of Maryland Bowie State | Coppin State | Frostburg State | Salisbury | Towson | U. of Baltimore | UM, Baltimore UM Baltimore County | UM, College Park | UM Eastern Shore | UM University College UMBI | UMCES | USM at Hagerstown | Universities at Shady Grove

University System of Maryland The University System of Maryland (USM) is a public corporation and charter school system comprising 13 Maryland institutions of higher education. ... Bowie State University, located on 338½ acres (1. ... Coppin State University, located on 46 acres (186,000 m²) in Baltimore, Maryland, is part of the University System of Maryland. ... Frostburg State University Frostburg State University, located on a 260 acre (1. ... Salisbury University Salisbury University (Salisbury State University prior to 2001) is a nationally accredited, four-year comprehensive public university located in the city of Salisbury, Maryland on the Delmarva Peninsula. ... Towson University Towson University, located in Towson, Maryland, is part of the University System of Maryland. ... The University of Baltimore, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is part of the University System of Maryland. ... University of Maryland, Baltimore University of Maryland, Baltimore, (also known as UMB), is located on 56 acres (230,000 m²) in downtown Baltimore, Maryland and is part of the University System of Maryland. ... University of Maryland Baltimore County The University of Maryland Baltimore County (also known as UMBC) is part of the University System of Maryland and located in the southern Baltimore County, Maryland community of Catonsville and near Arbutus. ... University of Maryland Eastern Shore, located on 620 acres (2. ... University of Maryland University College The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is the second largest university in Maryland. ... Formed in 1985, the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) is part of the University System of Maryland. ... With 1925 origins as a research station on Solomons Island, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) is one the University System of Marylands two scientific research centers. ... Established in January 2005, the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown is a facility located in Hagerstown, Maryland that offers career-oriented higher education courses to residents of Hagerstown and its surrounding region. ... Established in fall 2000, the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) is a facility located in Rockville, Maryland that offers career-oriented higher education courses to residents of Montgomery County, Maryland and its surrounding region. ... University System of Maryland Seal This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ...

Atlantic Coast Conference: Boston College | Clemson | Duke | Florida State | Georgia Tech | Maryland Miami | North Carolina | North Carolina State | Virginia | Virginia Tech | Wake Forest