The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Wellness Walk on April 22 kicked off a celebration of the 135th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act of 1890, also known as the Agricultural College Act of 1890. Sponsored by Sen. Justin Morrill of Vermont, the legislation’s passing and signing was instrumental in the founding of 19 historically Black land-grant colleges and universities of which UMES is part.
“Today is a momentous day because it’s not just about us walking on this land that we were given, but it’s walking for who we stand for,” said UMES’ 16th president, Dr. Heidi M. Anderson. “The purpose of this event is to honor our history. It is up to us to continue the legacy and pay it forward.”
Anderson announced the establishment of the Second Justin Morrill Act of 1890 Scholarship Fund, an activity of the UMES Foundation, to help move the farming industry forward. The community-funded scholarship will support students in need in the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences.
Dr. Carolyn Brooks, whose career spanned 35 years in land-grant areas at UMES, joined in the day’s activities, a precursor to her April 29 talk on the Second Morrill Act as part of the SANS Seminar Series.
“To me, the celebration is an opportunity to highlight the agricultural and human sciences. All too often when we talk about our campus, we forget to highlight what makes us unique by being an 1890 land-grant university. We have a tripartite mission of teaching, research and service /extension.”
Agricultural science, the former SANS dean said, is extremely important because it not only serves the local community, it serves the nation and beyond when it comes to food security, sustainable agriculture and the environment — ever changing and challenging areas.
This Wellness Walk “is our chance to spotlight what we do here (at UMES) through the importance and excellence of SANS and UMES Extension,” Brooks said.
The event ended with walkers joining in an 1890-shaped aerial photo and the annual DASL Expo highlighting and awarding student clubs, particularly within SANS.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, tdudek@umes.edu. Aerial photo by Brian Waller, Waller Photo Services.
Clockwise, below: UMES President Heidi M. Anderson warms up for the 1890 Wellness Walk with UMES mascot Harry the Hawk, Nearly 250 walkers come into the home stretch on April 22, Registered participants in the event received a spirit towel and other give-a-ways, Dr. Carolyn Brooks, former SANS dean and speaker at the April 29 SANS Seminar on the Second Morrill Act of 1890, greets participants at the registration table, The Thunderin’ Hawks Pep Band leads the way for the 1890 Wellness Walk.
