Year in review: 2022 at TU
Looking back at the moments that made us #TUproud over the past year
By Towson University on January 8, 2023
As the university community embarks on a new year and prepares for the spring 2023 term, we take a moment to reflect on the many ways Tigers innovated, engaged, reflected and excelled over the past year.
In 2022, Towson University honored trailblazers, celebrated academic achievements and continued to build momentum as an anchor institution in greater Baltimore. Below, we revisit some of the moments that defined the Tiger experience through our favorite stories, videos and photography.
Reaching New Heights
TU’s momentum continued to build in 2022 with ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies. In the spring, the university celebrated the grand opening of the University Union expansion.
In the fall, the grand opening of the Center for Interdisciplinary & Innovative Cybersecurity at 10 West Burke Avenue bolstered TU’s national leadership in cybersecurity and the new 22,000-square-foot Academic Commons in Albert S. Cook Library connects students with multiple resources for academic success in one place.
Plus, construction on the state-of-the-art College of Health Professions building made big gains toward its 2024 opening. It’s part of the anticipated 1.3 million gross square feet of new and renovated space and $1.2 billion in proposed investment in campus buildings detailed in the 2020–30 Master Plan shared this past spring.
Celebrating Trailblazers
In 2022, TU recognized several distinguished alumni who have provided profound leadership to advance diversity and inclusion on its campus and beyond.
During Homecoming weekend, TU named two residence halls in West Village in honor of Ms. Marvis Barnes ’59 and Ms. Myra Harris ’59, the university’s first Black graduates. This recognition celebrated their commitment to education and groundbreaking achievements.
This dedication was followed by the unveiling of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Tribute walkway, featuring a series of pillars on Chapman Quad representing TU’s nine historically Black fraternities and sororities.
To celebrate Black History Month, Jason Newton, a news anchor for Baltimore’s NBC affiliate WBAL, told the story of his father, James Newton ’68, one of the first two Black players on the then-Towson State University basketball team.
Showing our Stripes
Last season, Towson University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams celebrated the most dominant runs in their histories as TU became one of just eight Division I programs to have both men's and women's basketball teams hit 20 wins.
Men's and women's basketball joined several other teams to compete in postseason tournaments, including men’s and women’s lacrosse, track and field and volleyball, who earned their fourth-straight NCAA bid. And for the first time in 21 years, gymnastics made the NCAA regionals for the second year in a row.
Last spring, Tiger Athletics welcomed new director Steve Eigenbrot and women's basketball head coach Laura Harper. This fall, Pete Shinnick joined TU as the head football coach.
Welcoming New Tigers
This fall, the university welcomed nearly 5,000 new students—more than 2,600 freshmen, 1,700 transfers and 730 graduate students. Towson University has its most diverse student body ever—one that reflects the demographics of Maryland, a state that became minority-majority in the last census.
Learning through Research
Tigers continued to learn, engage and innovate in 2022. From the stage to the field to the laboratory, Towson University faculty, staff and students embraced interdisciplinary experiential learning and research opportunities.
Tigers Making a Difference
From improving the quality of life for Baltimore’s immigrant population and leading the community relations efforts at BARCS to inspiring young women to take flight, Tigers make a difference in our region and beyond.
Cheering on the Class of 2022
Between the Spring 2022 and Winter 2022 Commencement ceremonies, Towson University welcomed more than 5,500 new graduates. Among them were 55 students honored in the university's first Doctoral Hooding ceremony and the first graduates of the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program.
