Our Namesakes

With the launch of the Tall-Wiedefeld Society, we recognize two of TU’s exceptional past leaders – Lida Lee Tall and Dr. Mary Theresa Wiedefeld. Together, they led Towson University for more than a quarter century (1920-1947), and the university grew and thrived because of their efforts. 

Lida Lee Tall

Lida Lee Tall was a woman of intelligence and vision whose commitment to teacher education moved the Maryland State Normal School (MSNS) to a new level of excellence.  In 1920, Tall became head of the MSNS.  From then until 1938, she led the institution in a new period of growth, both in numbers of students and faculty, as well as in academic quality.

When Tall joined MSNS, the school was still recovering from the enrollment decline of the war years.  The school took a major step forward in 1924 when it merged with the Baltimore Teacher’s Training School. This merger meant that Towson was poised to become the largest educator of certified Maryland teachers, a distinction that Towson University still holds.

Advances in teacher education were also a hallmark of Tall’s years in office. In 1931, the school curriculum was increased from a two-year course of study to three years. In 1934, this was again amended by the Maryland General Assembly, and the school was granted the ability to award four-year Bachelor of Science degrees in Education. To reflect the change, the Maryland State Normal School was renamed the Maryland State Teachers College at Towson (STC). Tall’s title was changed from principal to president. By 1936, the school was meeting accreditation standards set forth by the American Association of Teachers Colleges and the American Council of Education.

Dr. Mary Theresa Wiedefeld

Dr. Mary Theresa Wiedefeld graduated from the MSNS in 1904, and she joined the MSNS faculty in 1914 as a teacher in the Model School.  Dr. Wiedefeld became the principal for the Model School a year later when MSNS moved to its Towson location.  She remained in this position until 1919 and eventually returned to Towson as president in 1938.

Dr. Wiedefeld led the State Teachers College from the end of the Great Depression through World War II and the return to peacetime conditions.  During the war, she rallied the campus to support community members who were serving and created a campaign to raise money by buying war bonds for school construction projects.  Dr. Wiedefeld also started the junior college to attract more individuals to campus after the war, which was essentially the way TU’s liberal arts program was created.  She also remained active with the alumni association for many years.