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Frostburg State
125 Years of History and Alumni

Greetings Fellow Alumni,

This is an exciting and historical year for our alma mater, the 125th anniversary of its founding as Frostburg State Normal School No. 2 by an Act of the Maryland General Assembly on March 31, 1898.

We owe our existence to the determination and persistence of the editor of the Frostburg Mining Journal and the citizens of Frostburg who raised the funds to purchase the site on which Old Main was built. From its original two acres to the current 260 beautiful acres, our school has seen numerous changes and growth over those 125 years.

Throughout its history, the name of the institution has changed to reflect its evolving educational mission. The school’s original mission was to train teachers. The school was renamed State Teachers College at Frostburg, and it began to offer a four-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Lillian Compton served as the first female president of the institution from 1945-1954. Her mission as president was to essentially prepare the college to be closed. The end of World War II and the GI Bill saw an increase in enrollment, and the college thankfully remained open. In 1963, the name was changed to Frostburg State College. Finally, in 1987, because of its growing resources, diversity and excellence, it was renamed Frostburg State University. Recently, the University moved from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division II, becoming one of only two Division II schools in the state of Maryland.

Frostburg State can attribute its success to several key factors – the quality of its students, the passion of its faculty and staff and the involvement of its alumni. As an alumni body, we now number almost 50,000, with successful and nationally acclaimed alumni in just about every occupation you can name. As alumni, your participation is essential to the success of the University. Please stay engaged, and if you have any ideas, thoughts or suggestions, the Alumni Association Board of Directors will be happy to entertain them.

With Bobcat Pride,

Joe Lambert '79
President
Alumni Association Board of Directors

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