TU's Schatzel meets President Biden at White House Congressional Picnic
Dr. Schatzel attended the annual event as the guest of Maryland Senator Ben Cardin
By Kailey Adams on July 13, 2022
Towson University President Kim Schatzel was among national leaders and distinguished guests on Tuesday at the annual White House Congressional Picnic. President Schatzel and her husband, Trevor, attended the event as the guests of Maryland Senator Ben Cardin and his wife, Myrna.
The White House Congressional Picnic is hosted each year on the South Lawn of the White House for members of Congress and their invited guests to enjoy an evening with the President, First Lady, and White House staffers. The annual festivity — a bipartisan event that allows elected officials to set politics aside and spend time their fellow lawmakers, their friends and family — features carnival games, rides, and musical performances.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the crowd at the beginning of the event — the first such picnic of Biden’s presidency. Dr. Schatzel’s selfie skills came in handy when she had the opportunity to meet President Biden. She also shared photos on her social media alongside Senator Ben Cardin, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and others.
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"It was truly an honor to visit the White House and connect with so many of our nation's inspiring leaders,” said President Schatzel. “I am incredibly grateful to Senator and Mrs. Cardin for their kind invitation to join them at this wonderful event."
Myrna Cardin is an alumna of Towson University and past chair of TU’s Board of Visitors. Senator Cardin has been a long-time supporter of Towson University, having advocated for a number of grants to aid TU academic programs throughout his tenure in office. Last fall, Senator Cardin helped secure $3.8 million in federal funds to support TU’s teacher preparation programs. He then joined other members of the Maryland congressional delegation in visiting the university’s College of Education in November to learn more about Towson’s extensive efforts to prepare the state’s next wave of educational leaders.
“It was a special treat to be back at the White House for the annual Congressional Picnic,” said Myrna Cardin. “It's a wonderful opportunity, and we were delighted that President Schatzel and her husband were able to join us.”
In her six years as President, Dr. Schatzel has set forth policies that have solidified Towson University as an anchor institution in Greater Baltimore and advanced the university’s reputation as a national leader in inclusive excellence.
Under her guidance, Towson University has been named a Top 100 national public university by U.S. News & World Report and has been cited as a leader in inclusion, social mobility and value by that publication and others.
Earlier this year, President Schatzel was named to The Daily Record’s “Power 30 Higher Education List” for the second consecutive year. She is also among the publication’s Circle of Excellence for her three appearances on “Top 100 Women in Maryland” lists and has been recognized in the newspaper’s previous awards for Most Influential Marylanders, Most Admired CEOs, and the Icon Honors.
For her efforts in diversity and inclusion, Dr. Schatzel was honored by the Associated Black Charities as the “Champion for More in the Middle” in 2017. She received the 2020 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, given by the Board of Directors of the Urban League, which honors members of the Baltimore community committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our region and state.