Office of the President
WELCOME
On June 27, Frostburg State celebrated the 127th anniversary of the groundbreaking for State Normal School No. 2, the institution that would become Frostburg State University. When classes first began in 1902, the mission was clear: prepare outstanding teachers to serve the communities of our region.
Over the next 127 years, that mission expanded, but its heart never changed. As State Normal School No. 2 became State Teachers College at Frostburg, then Frostburg State College, and ultimately Frostburg State University, each generation built upon the work of those who came before. Throughout that history, this university has created pathways to opportunity by opening doors for generations of students, strengthening their families, and serving the changing needs of Mountain Maryland and the broader Appalachian region.
As observed by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus (or the second law of thermodynamics if you prefer), "everything changes". Higher Education has endured for centuries, since the founding of the University of Bologna in 1088, because each generation has been able to adapt to that change while remaining true to the mission. Frostburg's story is no different. Change has always been part of this institution's history, and it is one of the reasons it continues to thrive.
That is why I am so excited about the year ahead. Together, we have the opportunity to develop the university's next strategic plan and to thoughtfully consider how Frostburg can best serve the students, communities, and region that will depend on us over the next five years and beyond.
We know that everything we accomplish together in the years ahead will be built upon the dedication, talent, and commitment that generations of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members have invested in this remarkable university.
I believe that process begins not with answers, but with questions.
- What are we most proud of, what at its core has defined FSU?
- If we are as successful as we can realistically hope to be, what will Frostburg State look like five years from now? What is our North Star?
- And perhaps most importantly, why are we here; what is the enduring purpose we seek to fulfill?
I look forward to exploring those questions together and building the next chapter of Frostburg's story as one university community.
