Building community
Jazmyn Farmer and Olivia Foster are dismantling mental health stigmas to build connections within the community.
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Celebrating Black History & Culture
Honoring our history and celebrating a thriving community.
“We must live with vision.”
Expanding our knowledge of Black people, their histories and their contributions is an act of reconciliation and an expression of value for the vastness of their experiences.
This page explores TU’s complicated history, honors the trailblazers who forged a more just campus, and highlights the students, faculty and staff whose research and advocacy continue to advance equity today. You’ll find opportunities to connect with a vibrant community of Tigers through year-round programs, groups and events.
Join us as we expand our understanding, access resources for success and gain inspiration from those who came before.
Our Community
Our community spans the African diaspora, imparting a deep history from which we offer essential perspectives as students, academics, professionals and leaders. Community groups and events connect us to those with shared experiences, helping us magnify our voice and expand our impact.
What We’re Up To
Join the Celebration
BlaQ Spaces
Feb. 12, 5 to 6:30 p.m. in TU Armory
An exhibition focusing on the artistry and activism of Black and queer students and alumni aiming to shift perceptions of race, gender, sexuality and bodily agency.
More event detailsBlack Performance Debate
Feb. 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m in UU Auditorium
Join the Center for Student Diversity and TU Debate for an evening of performance, debate and community.
More event detailsBlack Student Leadership
Feb. 28, Noon to 3:30 p.m. in WVC Ballrooms
The annual conference compels students to explore beliefs, share experiences and build skills. This year's theme is 'They Not Like Us: Exploring the Diaspora.'
More event detailsConnect with Us
Our Stories
We are pioneering academics, outstanding students and accomplished alumni. We are everyday people dedicating our time and talents to pursue our passions, strengthen our communities and pave paths for future generations in ways big and small. Here are our stories.
Finding his voice
SGA President Edmund Rhynes wanted to come out of his shell. Soon he became the voice for TU’s student body.
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Making the leap
Applying to the Payne Fellowship was a leap of faith for Jamal Washington ’16. It’s paying off with experiences across the globe.
Read story
Coming full circle
TU's Student Success Programs director set a young Tammie King-Kelly on track for achievement. Now she’s assumed the role.
Read story
Pioneering fields
French linguist Alisha Reaves earned a prestigious Spencer Grant for her research supporting second language acquisition.
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Radiating joy
By connecting with faculty and student groups, Rose Marika Mwansa ’24 found her community and a passion for research at TU.
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Inspiring activism
Professor Donn Worgs wants students to engage in issues at home and abroad. His new event series will help them do just that.
Read storyOur History
TU was founded in 1866 as the Maryland Normal School, a part ot the state’s segregated school system. It remained segregated until the US Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation in public schools in 1954. The first Black students enrolled at TU the following year. In the summer of 2019, a team of researchers began conducting the multiyear Unearthing Towson’s History Project to investigate the history of intersectional diversity at TU and record the stories of those at its forefront. Now in its sixth year, the project’s library of oral histories, research articles and event recordings offers glimpses into TU’s exclusionist past and its ongoing efforts to diversify. Below are a few of the milestones they’ve covered.
Timeline
A Segregated Start
In 1866, TU is founded as the Maryland Normal School, a part of the state’s then-segregated educational system. It remains segregated until the US Supreme Court outlaws racial segregation in public schools in 1954. During this time, Black staff kept the campus running through service positions but were not allowed to enroll.
First Black Students Enroll
In 1955, Jeanette Cornilia Smith, Vivian Kernes, Delores Elaine Snipes and Cornelia Juanita Martin are the first Black students to enroll at what is then called the Towson State Teacher’s College. These students already held bachelor’s degrees from liberal arts schools and enrolled for one year of post-baccalaureate work to qualify as teachers.
First Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
In 1959, Marvis Barnes and Myra Harris become the first Black students to earn four-year degrees from Towson State Teacher’s College. After graduating, they transform their communities through decades of service as teachers and administrators in Maryland’s public schools, further establishing their legacies as inspirational civic leaders in our state.
Integrating the Faculty
In 1965, Whitney LeBlanc is hired as a theatre professor at what is then called Towson State College. During his tenure, an outside group of KKK extremists attempts to shut down his production of "And People All Around" by George Sklar. Prohibited from entering the venue in regalia, they return in plain clothes to heckle the production. The FBI removes the disrupters and the production continues on.
Support for Black Students & Enrollment
In 1969, Julius Chapman joins TU, leading the first Office of Minority Affairs and becoming TU's first black dean. During his tenure, Chapman recruited and mentored Black students while helping establish the Black Student Union, the Black Faculty and Administrators Association and the Black Cultural Center. In 2021, a quad was dedicated in his honor.
African American Studies program approved
In 1972, the African American Studies Program is approved for TU's curriculum. It launches in fall 1973 as a major with classes taught by Black faculty. The program remains active through 1984 when the umbrella General Studies major is discontinued. TU now offers a minor in African & African American Studies.
First Black Fraternity Chartered
In 1973, Jerome Murphy, Robert Robinson, Craig Gray, Chuck Myer and Francis Clay form the Rho chapter of Iota Phi Theta, TU’s first black fraternity. The group continues to carry out its mission of fellowship, leadership and advocacy today by funding scholarships, supporting campus development and hosting events. In 2023 all five founding members participated in the group's 50th anniversary celebrations.
SAGE Program Established
In 1984, Raft Woodus establishes Students Achieve Goals through Education (SAGE), which offers peer-to-peer mentoring and skill building to support students of color. To date, SAGE has helped more than 10,000 students thrive at TU. Woodus goes on to become the inaugural director of Student Success Programs, leaving a legacy of mentorship that continues today.
Resources and Support
African and African American studies program
The African and African American studies minor explores the historical and social experiences and cultural contributions of Africans and people of African descent in a global perspective. It also provides a critical perspective on race in American society.
Learn MoreAfrican studies research guide
Research guides from Albert S. Cook Library include materials supporting the study of African American history and culture and the African Diaspora, including databases, books, primary sources, visual and performing arts collections and more.
Learn MoreContinue the Legacy
Paving the Path Campaign
A traveling exhibit and philanthropic campaign shares the stories of five trailblazers who paved a path for TU's Black community. You’re invited to continue their legacy by supporting funds that honor their contributions to students and the campus:
- Raft Woodus Student Success Programs Fund - Honors Raft's dedication to guiding Black students by providing support for Students Achieve Goals through Education, the College Readiness Outreach Program and more.
- Whitney LeBlanc Memorial Fund - Recognizes the legacy of TU's first Black professor by supporting scholarships and opportunities for students.
- Barnes-Harris Scholarship Endowment - Honors TU's first Black graduates by providing vital financial support to students of color.
- Dr. Julius Chapman Memorial Fund - Remembers TU's first Black dean by supporting programs that continue his legacy of fostering academic achievement and personal growth.
Visit the Paving the Path exhibit in TU Arena throughout the month of February.
TU celebrates and recognizes the cultural identities and lived experiences of its
community members.