Presidential Inauguration

M.A. Newell

McFadden Alexander Newell was asked to establish the Maryland State Normal School in 1865 and served as its principal from 1866 to 1890. During his tenure, Newell set admissions standards for the school and refined its curriculum. 

E. Barrett Prettyman

Prettyman worked as a teacher and principal for 15 years before becoming principal of the Maryland State Normal School in 1890. During his 15-year tenure, the school extended its course of study to three years and added new courses.

George W. Ward

Ward was principal of the Maryland State Normal School from 1905 to 1909. During his tenure, he broadened the school’s teacher-training program, established a departmental structure for faculty and created a library staff.

Sarah E. Richmond

Richmond, the second person to enroll at the Maryland State Normal School, was the first female principal. Under her guidance, the Administration building, Newell Hall and the Power Plant were built. 

Henry S. West

West led the Maryland State Normal School through challenging times from 1917 to 1920, as enrollment and funding dropped due in large part to World War I. He responded by initiating enrollment campaigns, creating the first summer session and promoting better pay for state teachers.

Lida Lee Tall

From 1920 to 1938, Tall guided the Maryland State Normal School through its transition into a four-year college. The school began offering baccalaureate degrees, and its name changed from Maryland State Normal School to the Maryland State Teachers College at Towson.

M. Theresa Wiedefeld

Wiedefeld graduated from the Maryland State Normal School in 1904 and began teaching there in 1914. As president of the school from 1938 to 1947, she started a junior college program in the arts and sciences, and developed new programs for the junior high and kindergarten grades.

Earle T. Hawkins

During Hawkins’ administration, from 1947 to 1969, enrollment grew from 600 to 8,000 students. The school added a full range of baccalaureate programs in the arts and sciences and instituted evening and summer programs. The college was renamed Towson State College in 1963.

James L. Fisher

During Fisher’s presidency, from 1969 to 1978, 13 new buildings were constructed and enrollment climbed to over 10,000 students. He created four vice-presidential positions, established five deans and added new academic programs. The school was renamed Towson State University in 1976.

Hoke L. Smith

Smith served as president from 1979 to 2001. During his tenure, more than 40 new graduate and undergraduate programs were added and the current college structure was put into place. The institution's name was changed from Towson State University to Towson University in 1997.

Mark L. Perkins

Perkins became TU’s 11th president in 2001. His ambitions for a more holistic education and for greater fundraising were cut short less than a month after his inauguration, and he resigned shortly after in 2002. 

Robert Caret

Caret spent more than 20 years as a Towson faculty member, dean, executive vice president and provost. He served as president from 2003 to 2011. Under his leadership, TU expanded business partnerships, academic offerings, research funding and constructed academic and student support buildings. 

Maravene Loeschke

Loeschke served as TU’s president from 2011 to 2015. Known for her student-centered approach to university affairs, Loeschke was a TU alumna, faculty member and dean of the university’s College of Fine Arts and Communication.

Kim E. Schatzel

Kim E. Schatzel was appointed president of Towson University in 2016, bringing a wealth of experience — both corporate and academic — to her presidency. She served as president until 2023.

Mark R. Ginsberg

In 2023, Mark R. Ginsberg began his tenure as the 15th president of Towson University.