TU students paint Annapolis black and gold for Tiger Pride Day

By Kyle Hobstetter on February 25, 2020

As she sat on the senate floor of the Maryland State Capital Building, Alexandria Shields says she felt butterflies.

The Attorney General for TU’s Student Government Association (SGA) joined Towson University President Kim Schatzel in representing TU as the university was given a special recognition by the Maryland State Senate as part of Tuesday’s Tiger Pride Day event.

Joined by state senators who are Towson University alumni, Shields couldn’t help but smile while being recognized in front of the state's lawmakers.

“It felt really surreal,” Shields says. “It felt like it was a once in lifetime experience and it was exciting to be afforded the opportunity to do something like this. On campus we do impactful things, but seeing it happen on a larger scale in Annapolis is even more amazing.” 

The State Capital was covered in black and gold on Tuesday, as more than 200 students, faculty, staff and alumni visited the General Assembly in Annapolis as part of the annual Tiger Pride Day. 

The event — led by the TU SGA and supported by TU faculty and staff — offers students opportunities to meet with legislators and experience first-hand some of the inner workings of the legislative session in Annapolis. 

Tuesday's event marked the 21^st annual Tiger Pride Day, and there was no one more excited than President Schatzel. During her address to the attendees over lunch portion, Schatzel kept challenging the audience to get louder as she welcomed them to Tiger Pride Day.

“Students advocating here in Annapolis is the best feeling a president can have,” Schatzel said. “We are the second largest university in Maryland, the largest university in Greater Baltimore area, and are a talent pool provider for the state. 

“When you graduate, you will make a difference in the success of Maryland, and I’m just really pleased to be here with you today as you tell that story.”

Because Towson University is a state institution, education and funding bills before the Maryland General Assembly and its committees often have a direct effect on its students. The same is true for funding bills that help TU build or expand campus facilities. 

On Tuesday, students focused on legislation outlined by the SGA as priority bills for Towson University students, alums and prospective students. Many of the bills that SGA chose to support centered around changes that would help youth across the state.

With hundreds of students there looking to make a difference for not only campus, but also the state of Maryland, SGA President Naimah Kargbo says that Tiger Pride Day is proof Towson University's dedication is beyond campus.

“We want to reach every Maryland resident, whether they are a Tiger or not,” Kargbo says. "Today was amazing, especially seeing TU alumni come and talk with students and show their support. We’re in this together, and that’s the biggest thing — that we’re coming together and lobbying for those we represent.”

During the luncheon, several legislators stopped by and chatted with members of the Towson University community. One who stood out was Delegate Cathi Forbes, who represents District 42A — which includes the Towson University campus. 

Decked out in a Towson University athletics jacket, as well as Towson Tigers earrings, Forbes had a giant smile as she went table to table talking with SGA members and other students who made the trip.

“The students take all the energy that’s on campus and bring it to Annapolis for the day,” Forbes says. “They bring the pride in their school, the pride in their programs and the pride in their learning. It’s great to talk to the seniors and find out what they’re doing next. It’s just a great day.”

Students — who took buses from both from the Towson University campus and the Towson University in Northeastern Maryland campus in Harford County — arrived in Annapolis mid-morning after some heavy traffic.

They then observed some legislative activity in the State House, with Tiger Pride Day being recognized on the floor of both the State Senate and the House of Delegates. This was followed by the opportunity to meet with the legislator’s staffs (unfortunately the day’s session went long), and a luncheon in the Senate Office Building.  

TU students and staff from TU's Office of Civic Engagement and Leadership, and the Office of Sustainability also worked to ensure that Tuesday’s gathering was a zero-waste event, with recycling and compost bins surrounding the Senate room for the luncheon. Last year's event prevented more than 95 percent of waste from lunch from reaching a landfill.

New University System of Maryland Chancellor Dr. Jay Perman was attending his first Tiger Pride Day. After meeting with students during the day, and reading their legislative agenda, he couldn’t help but be impressed with the work being done on TU’s campus.

“Towson University’s greatest achievement is attracting students like yourselves,” Perman said. “I hope you know what you’re doing today. Yes, you’re advocating for TU and advocating for higher education, but you’re showing what a higher education means. 

“You have a platform here today with the people who make our laws. And you’re not messing around today, because you’re talking about serious things, and talking about them in a way that educated people talk about them.”

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.