University of Maryland: A Comprehensive Overview of Its Location, History, and Offerings

The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), often referred to as the University of Maryland or simply Maryland, stands as a prominent public land-grant research university. Situated in College Park, Maryland, within the United States, UMD holds the distinction of being the largest university in both Maryland and the Washington metropolitan area. This article delves into the university's location, its rich history, academic offerings, campus life, and notable aspects that make it a distinguished institution.

Location and Accessibility

The University of Maryland is strategically located in College Park, Maryland, placing it in close proximity to Washington, D.C. This location offers students access to a wealth of opportunities, including internships, cultural experiences, and government resources. The campus itself spans 1,250 acres (5.1 km2), with McKeldin Mall serving as the central hub. This expansive academic mall, the largest in the United States, is bordered by McKeldin Library to the east and the Thomas V. Miller, Jr. Administration Building to the west.

Transportation

The University of Maryland is accessible via multiple modes of transportation:

Metrorail: The College Park-University of Maryland Metro station on the Green Line provides direct access to Downtown, Washington, D.C.
MARC Train: The same station also connects to the MARC Camden Line, a commuter rail running between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Airports: The university is within reach of three major airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Shuttle-UM: A free shuttle service, Shuttle-UM, is available for students, faculty, staff, and residents of College Park and Greenbelt.

For visitors arriving by car, all campus locations have physical addresses that can be used with GPS devices. The university encourages visitors to start at the Welcome Desk for maps and information.

Proximity to Washington, D.C.

UMD's proximity to Washington, D.C., is a significant advantage for students. They can easily access internships, cultural events, and government resources. The location provides a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world opportunities.

A Storied History

The University of Maryland's history is rich and spans over 150 years, marked by periods of growth, challenges, and transformation.

Early Years and the Civil War

Originally established as the Maryland Agricultural College, the institution faced significant challenges during the Civil War. Confederate soldiers passed by the college in 1864 as part of Jubal Early's raid on Washington, D.C. Financial difficulties led to the sale of 200 acres (81 ha) of land, and declining enrollment resulted in bankruptcy. In 1866, the Maryland legislature assumed half ownership, making it a state institution. The school reopened in 1867 with only 11 students.

Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

In 1868, Franklin Buchanan, a former Confederate admiral, became president, and enrollment grew to 80. The establishment of the federally-funded Agricultural Experiment Station marked further progress. However, in 1912, a fire destroyed student housing, school records, and most academic buildings, leaving only Morrill Hall intact.

Transformation into the University of Maryland

In 1916, the state purchased Maryland Agricultural College, renaming it Maryland State College. That same year, the first female students enrolled. On April 9, 1920, the college became part of the existing University of Maryland, replacing St. John's College, Annapolis, as the university's undergraduate campus. The graduate school awarded its first Ph.D. degrees that year, and enrollment reached 500 students.

Mid to Late 20th Century

By 1951, when the first black students enrolled, enrollment had grown to nearly 10,000. President Wilson H. Elkins increased academic standards in 1957, creating one of the first Academic Probation Plans. Queen Elizabeth II visited the university in 1957 to attend a college football game. The university was elected to the Association of American Universities in 1969.

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Modern Era

In 1988, a restructuring of the state's higher education system led to the school being designated the flagship campus of the University of Maryland System, formally named the University of Maryland, College Park. The university faced data breaches in 2014 but received a record-breaking donation of $219.5 million from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation in 2017. In 2020, Darryll J. Pines became the university's 34th president.

Academics and Rankings

The University of Maryland offers a wide array of academic programs across its eleven schools and colleges, including 113 undergraduate majors, 107 master's programs, and 83 doctoral programs. Known for its "top-notch honors program," the university also boasts impressive schools and departments, such as its engineering school, business program, political science department, and criminology program.

Rankings and Recognition

UMD consistently receives high rankings from various publications:

U.S. News & World Report: Ranked 44th (tie) in "National Universities" and 17th in "Top Public Schools".
Academic Ranking of World Universities: Ranked 43rd in the world in 2015.
Times Higher Education World University Rankings: Placed 69th worldwide in 2017-2018.

The university is also a college sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Notable Faculty and Alumni

The University of Maryland's faculty and alumni include numerous Nobel Prize laureates, Fields Medal winners, and National Medal of Science recipients. These include:

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Juan Ramón Jiménez: Nobel Prize in Literature (1956)
William Daniel Phillips: Nobel Prize in Physics
Thomas Schelling: Nobel Prize in Economics
John C. Mather: Nobel Prize in Physics
Herbert Hauptman: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (alumnus)
Raymond Davis Jr.: Nobel Prize in Physics (alumnus)
Sergei Novikov: Fields Medal winner
Charles Fefferman: Fields Medal winner (alumnus)
George Dantzig: National Medal of Science winner (alumnus)
Michael Fisher: Wolf Prize and IUPAP Boltzmann Medal winner
James A. Yorke: Japan Prize winner

Campus Life and Culture

Life at UMD is vibrant, with a strong sense of community. The university offers living-learning programs (LLPs) that allow students with similar academic interests to live and attend classes together.

Residential Life

There are two main residential areas on campus: North Campus and South Campus. North Campus includes Cambridge Community, Denton Community, Oakland Community, Ellicott Community, and the Courtyards. The Heritage community, completed in 2024, features two residence halls and a dining hall.

Dining

There are three dining halls on campus, along with a food court in the Stamp Student Union with various fast food options.

Extracurricular Activities

The student union is "loaded with fun places like the arcade area [and] bowling alley," as well as “tons of places to eat.” For those interested in staying active, there’s a “campus recreation center that has virtually everything you could wish for, including pools, an extensive gym, a rock wall, squash courts, [and] an indoor track.”

Athletics

The university sponsors varsity athletic teams in 20 men's and women's sports, known as the "Terrapins." Maryland is a member of the Big Ten Conference and has been awarded 47 national championships. Men's basketball is a particularly popular sport, and the university's athletic facilities have been recognized as among the best in the nation.

Traditions and Landmarks

The University of Maryland has several notable traditions and landmarks:

McKeldin Mall: The largest academic mall in the United States, serving as a central gathering place.
The "M": A mound with a large "M" formed by flowers, serving as a campus hallmark.
Testudo: The bronze statue of the school mascot, a Diamondback terrapin, is rubbed for good luck.

Resources and Support

UMD provides numerous resources to support its students:

University Career Center: This center connects students with career exposure and experiential learning opportunities.
President's Promise: This initiative focuses on helping students apply classroom learning in real-world settings.
Counseling Center: The Counseling Center brings 10-12 CE bearing presentations on a variety of topics, including the ones listed above, each year to the staff for training and continued education purposes.
T.E.R.P.S for Terps: Training to Evaluate, Respond to and Prevent Suicide (T.E.R.P.S for Terps) based on Campus Connect. Available to all faculty and staff.
Peer Support: The Help Center and Lean on Me are student organizations that provide peer-to-peer support.
Mental Health Curriculum: Mental health curriculum is offered as a part of Freshman Connections program.

Notable Alumni

The University of Maryland boasts a diverse and accomplished alumni network, including:

Sergey Brin: Co-founder of Google
Jim Henson: Creator of The Muppets
David Simon: Creator of The Wire
Norman "Boomer" Esiason: Former NFL Quarterback
Gayle King: CBS Host
Connie Chung: Journalist
Larry David: Co-creator of Seinfeld and creator of Curb Your Enthusiasm
Kevin Plank: Founder and executive chairman of Under Armour
Carly Fiorina: Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard
Judith Resnik: NASA Astronaut
Michael D. Griffin: NASA Administrator
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer

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