The University of Maryland Eastern Shore expanded its campus royalty tradition in 1996 when the Office of Student Life added a “Mr. UMES” competition.
He and his Imperial Court play important roles as student-ambassadors through participation in community service for the campus at-large. He also is responsible for such activities as Men’s Week, in which he leads initiatives to raise concerns of his peers.
With the addition of Mr. UMES, the university’s expanded Imperial Court’s responsibilities have changed to that of a more professional role as student ambassadors. Class queens and kings also are expected to be well-rounded undergraduates and comfortable in the public eye.
As a university handbook for campus royalty program notes, “Becoming a member of the Imperial Court is an honor and should not be taken lightly.” Honorees will represent UMES at numerous academic, social and traditional functions. They should project “the pride and legacy exhibited in the nation’s historically black institutions.”
