President Schatzel highlights momentum at TU in annual address

November 19, 2020

Towson University President Kim Schatzel highlighted momentum and TU’s relentless commitment to the public good during her annual address, delivered this year through video, on Thursday, November 19.

The 24-minute address touched on many of the priorities established by President Schatzel since her arrival on campus in 2016, noted recent changes on campus and was punctuated by a sneak peek of the new Science Complex.

Find the full address and a transcription here.

While her remarks included the COVID-19 pandemic, the address largely focused on the positive impact the university has continued to make in spite of the challenges 2020 has presented.

"I’m proud of all that Towson University has done to continue delivering academic excellence and rigor in our degree programs and advancing research, scholarly and creative contributions of great significance and impact as well as continuing our commitment to community engagement and serving the public good as an anchor institution for greater Baltimore and our state," President Schatzel said.

She highlighted the very impressive freshman class and major national rankings TU has achieved this fall and welcomed the three new deans who joined TU this fall.

President Schatzel also shared the university’s ongoing efforts around inclusion and noted progress around a series of plans, including TU’s first diversity and inclusion strategic plan, which aligns with the university strategic plan. 

She also recognized the faculty and staff who were honored this year by the University System’s Board of Regents as well as the championships and achievements experienced by TU’s athletic teams, despite the pandemic.

The ongoing, record-setting philanthropic efforts of the TU community were highlighted, including a recent gift of $5.3 million by alum and board of visitors member Fran Soistman ’79.

"From supporting our emergency funds to help those community members in need to providing the funds to catalyze world-class academic excellence, TU’s philanthropic community continues to be a major difference-maker for our entire TU community," Schatzel said.

That support is amplified by TU’s efforts through BTU. President Schatzel specifically mentioned several of the 350 BTU programs for their community impact. She also highlighted leadership and entrepreneurship programming that has continued in spite of the challenges that the pandemic has created.

The president ended the address discussing the more than $1.7 billion in development happening on and around campus. She looked forward to the groundbreaking for the proposed College of Health Professions building and provided a preview of the new Science Complex.

"This year has brought about many challenges, but it has proven the resolve, resilience and compassion of our university community, ensuring that TU continues to fulfill and extend its leadership as a top national university dedicated to supporting the public good," she said.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland, BTU-Partnerships at Work for Greater Baltimore, Diverse and Inclusive Campus, Culture of Philanthropy, World-Class Faculty Development Center, Strategic Plan Alignment and TIGER Way.