What to look forward to at TU in 2020

The new year brings the promise of new additions throughout the campus. See what's ahead.

January 2, 2020

science building

Towson University continues to be a catalyst for change in Baltimore and the state of Maryland. The new year will bring further growth to the campus with campus renovations, massive new buildings and new, engaged leadership.

Here's an easy roundup of what's ahead.

VP for Student Affairs joins TU

Dr. Vernon J. Hurte will join Towson University February 17 as the new Vice President of Student Affairs. Dr. Hurte will provide vision, strategic direction and leadership for a division of almost 200 full-time staff that offers a comprehensive range of student programs and services.

Executive Director of Entrepreneurship joins TU

Towson University has hired Patrick T. McQuown to lead the university’s entrepreneurship and innovation. He'll start on January 29.

As the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship, McQuown will provide a collective strategic vision and direction for entrepreneurship activities at TU and oversee the StarTUp at the historic Armory property in uptown Towson, as well as the TU Incubator. The role is part of the Division Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research.

Dining changes

A new dining experience is coming to The Glen Marketplace and Micromart in 2020.

Renovations at The Glen are being timed with construction at the University Union — a new and improved Glen dining hall will be completed in time to accommodate larger volumes of diners with the renovations forcing changes to dining options at the Union in 2020.

Dean Chapman Quad debut

The site where the former Stephens Annex sat is being re-imagined. It will become The Dean Chapman Quad, a gathering space named in honor of TU's first Dean of Minority Affairs.

Celebrating the Class of 2020

Commencement in Spring 2020 will be spread over two days.

On Wednesday, May 20, the morning will including the College of Health Professions, the afternoon will be the College of Education and the Evening will be Fisher College of Science and Mathematics.

The morning of May 21 will feature the College of Liberal Arts, while the afternoon will be the College of Fine Arts & Communications, while the evening will be the College of Business and Economics.

Hill-Lopes Scholars complete Year One

Through a generous gift by Barbara Hill and Ancelmo Lopes, Towson University’s Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics launched the Hill–Lopes Scholars Program in early 2019. This semester will see the end of the first full year of the program.

Students selected as Hill-Lopes Scholars gain the academic and professional skills they need to succeed in today’s STEM workforce. The scholarship program is open to full- and part-time undergraduate students in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics who have a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Class of 2024 arrives

The diverse and prepared Class of 2023 is here and already engaged. What does the Class of 2024 have in store for TU?

Want to get in on the momentum and growth at TU? Apply now.

The StarTUp opens at Towson Armory

TU is revitalizing the historic Armory building in uptown Towson with "The StarTUp." When it opens in Fall 2020, the mixed-use space will be a vibrant center for business engagement and outreach, entrepreneurship, continuing education and workforce development.

Science Complex ribbon cutting

Towson University's new Science Complex will open in Fall 2020 as the largest academic building on TU's campus. Located along York Road just south of the historic Stephens Hall, the building will contain about 80 teaching or research laboratories, 50 classrooms, collaborative student spaces, a planetarium, lecture halls and more.

Glen Towers renovations begin

About $52 million in total renovations to Glen Towers, including to the exterior, the HVAC and elevator systems, will begin in 2020 with Tower C. The other buildings will receive the same updates through 2023.

Capital Campaign launches

TU's Division of University of Advancement is deep into planning the roll-out of a comprehensive capital campaign to harness TU's momentum. It will be tough to beat fiscal year 2019, when $14,085,220 in funds raised. TU's community is undoubtedly up to the challenge.

The 2020 Election

The General Election is just 11 months away. Early voting for the primaries will take place on Towson University's campus April 16-23. Early Voting for the General Election will be October 22-29. 

The university is known for its promotion of civic participation. TU was honored with a Gold seal for its voting efforts at the 2019 ALL IN Challenge Awards Ceremony. A gold seal is given for achieving a student participation rate between 40% and 49%.

Continued growth around campus

More than $1.7 billion is being invested within a 1/4-mile radius from the intersection of York and Burke. Much of that has to do with the proximity to TU.

In the coming year, many development projects off campus will begin to come on-line, bringing housing, retail and other opportunities to the TU community. Read more about them here.

Limitless opportunities to get involved

From The Big Give to performances at the Center for the Arts, from Baltimore Blast games to Tigers athletics, from Homecoming to movie nights — TU has so much to offer. Find out more from the comprehensive calendar of events here.