Here's why dozens of Tigers are Annapolis-bound on Wednesday

By Kyle Hobstetter on February 26, 2019

Towson University is headed back to the state capitol. 

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, TU students, faculty, staff and alumni will join President Kim Schatzel and other university officials in Annapolis for the annual Tiger Pride Day. 

Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, Tiger Pride Day allows members of the Student Government Association to meet with key lawmaking committees from the Senate and House to make concerns known on a state level.

It also gives students and other members of the TU community a chance to network with legislators and their staffers at a luncheon. 

For SGA President Russhell Ford ’19, Tiger Pride Day is one of her favorite events because she has so much passion and interest in politics. After months of planning, she’s excited to not only watch the event come together, but also get a chance to meet with Maryland’s lawmakers. 

“This day is so important for the entire student body because we are lobbying for bills that could influence all students, while they are in school, and even after they graduate,” Ford says. “We are looking forward to not only lobby for the wellness of students but we also want to make sure students are granted more opportunities in life post-graduation.”

Matt Lenno, TU’s assistant vice president of student affairs, will travel with students to Annapolis and has attended multiple Tiger Pride Days. 

For him, Tiger Pride Day is the training ground for students to be able to advocate for themselves and their community post-graduation. 

“As professional in the field of higher education for 20 years, these are the times I look forward to,” Lenno says. “Watching a student advocate for themselves, the university and community and be civically minded is everything an administrator wants a student to be.”

Because Towson University is a state school, education and funding bills before the Maryland General Assembly and its committees often have a direct effect on its students. The same is true for funding bills that help TU build or expand campus facilities. 

For Ford, Tiger Pride Day also allows students a chance to put a face to the constituents that politicians in Annapolis represent.

“It’s also a great opportunity to work with other students to create solutions within our state,” Ford says. “Even if you’re an out-of-state student, everyone learns the importance of lobbying and getting politically involved. 

Tiger Pride Day is open to the entire Towson University community, but with a limit on how many can attend, students registered in advance.

Buses will leave for Annapolis at 8 a.m. from Unitas Stadium Lot 14. According to the Tiger Pride Day agenda, students buses to return to campus should start departing Annapolis by 3 p.m.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.