A new campaign is honoring five visionaries who paved the path for a more equitable TU and raising funds to continue their legacies through scholarships, programming and more.

The Paving the Path campaign and traveling exhibit shares the stories of TU’s first Black graduates, first Black professor, first Black Dean and longtime Director of Student Success Programs. Banners recognizing the five individuals are currently on display in the Union and Center for the Arts and will be showcased during basketball games in TU Arena throughout the month. Funds established in honor of the visionaries keep their legacies alive by supporting programs and scholarships that pave the path for future generations.

“If it weren’t for these pillars of the university, many of us wouldn’t be standing here today,” said Kenneth Abrams ’92, President of the Towson Black Alumni Alliance. “We want the campus community to understand the impact they made and honor their legacies by supporting current and future students.”

Paving the Path Honorees

whitney leblanc

Whitney LeBlanc

Whitney LeBlanc became TU’s first Black faculty member when he was hired as a Theatre professor in 1965. During his tenure a group of KKK extremists unsuccessfully attempted to shut down his on-campus production of “And People All Around.” LeBlanc taught at TU for five years before going on to create the groundbreaking TV show “Our Street.” He also served as associate director for the 1970’s television sitcom “Good Times” and authored five books. The Whitney LeBlanc Memorial Fund honors his legacy by raising money to name the COFAC theatre in his honor and by supporting scholarships for TU students.

Marvis Barnes and Myra Harris

Marvis Barnes & Myra Harris

When the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision opened the door to educational opportunity, Marvis Barnes ’59 and Myra Harris ’59 stepped through to enroll at Towson University, then called the State Teachers College at Towson. In 1959, they became the first Black students to earn four-year degrees here. Both went on to transform their communities through decades of leadership as teachers and administrators in Maryland’s public schools. The Barnes-Harris Scholarship Endowment continues their legacy by providing scholarships for students of color.

julius chapman

Julius Chapman

Julius Chapman came to Towson in 1969, becoming the first dean of Minority Affairs. When he started, Black enrollment was less than 1% of the total student population. During his tenure, he recruited and mentored Black students while helping establish the Black Student Union, Black Faculty and Administrators Association and Black Cultural Center. He also brought historically Black Greek organizations to campus. The Dr. Julius Chapman Memorial Fund supports programs that continue his legacy of fostering academic achievement and personal growth.

raft woodus

Raft Woodus

Raft Woodus spent his 40-year career at TU dedicated to helping students find success. The inaugural director of Student Success Programs mentored countless students and established programs like Students Achieve Goals through Education (SAGE) that help students from all backgrounds thrive. To date, SAGE’s peer-to-peer mentoring and skill building have been a guiding force for more than 10,000 TU students. The Raft Woodus Student Success Programs Fund supports impactful programs like SAGE, Generation One, Man 2 Man and the College Readiness Outreach Program.

Donations to the funds are tax-deductible and can be made through the Paving the Path campaign website. Thousands of students benefit from the funds annually, enabling current TU students to achieve success so they can blaze trails for generations to come.

During my time at TU, many students needing financial support visited my office. Their success was a tribute not only to their persistence, but also to the resources available to them. TU's scholarships enable students to receive an invaluable education, and they deserve our financial support.

Raft Woodus

Student graduating at TU

Make an Impact

Donate to the Paving the Path campaign today to continue the legacies of LeBlanc, Barnes, Harris, Chapman and Woodus and enable future generations of TU students to complete their education, access student support programs and learn about TU's history.

Donate to the campaign