Tuesday, August 30, 2011
PRINCESS ANNE, MD (Aug. 30, 2011) Classes for the fall semester at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore begin Wednesday, the start of a milestone academic year.
UMES celebrates the 125th year anniversary of its founding when nine students enrolled in September 1886 in a new school started by the old Methodist Episcopal denomination.
Today, the now-public university has some 4,500 students, which includes a new freshman class of 780, who can choose from a diverse array of degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
UMES received the formal OK in June to offer three new degrees starting this fall; a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, a Master of Science degree in chemistry and Master of Medical Science in physician assistant studies.
Mortimer Neufville, a former UMES administrator, has returned to campus after 15 years to serve as interim president while a search for former President Thelma B. Thompson’s successor is underway. Thompson retired Aug. 15.
Undergraduates are just starting their studies, but the second class of 61 students in the doctor of pharmacy program arrived in July. UMES now has 124 students in the year-round program launched a year ago.
Throughout 2011-12, UMES students, alumni and staff will participate in series of activities in recognition of the school’s founding. A special section on the UMES web site features a calendar of anniversary events as well as stories chronicling the university’s history.
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Bill Robinson, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355, wrobinson3@umes.edu.
