http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710250490

UMES president deserves credit

The University System of Maryland Board of Regents was on the campus of University of Maryland Eastern Shore last week for one of its regional meetings. The agenda, sorry to say, appeared rather pedestrian. Whenever the Board of Regents comes to town, it's a big deal in academic circles.

The regents should have planned on their agenda a moment to recognize the accomplishments of their host, UMES President Thelma Thompson, who marked her fifth anniversary as university president this past summer. Thompson has proved a surprising force on the Princess Anne campus. Given her deep experience and obvious ambitions, it initially appeared her tenure could be brief. But the Jamaica native has dug deep into her job and produced many positive results for UMES.

Hopefully, the regents are suitably aware.

Thompson brought a renewed focus on academics. It has been part of her mantra since she arrived; academics is regarded as the central pillar at UMES, with all avenues flowing toward the educational enterprise. A result has been accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, as well as accreditation of several individual academic programs.

Thompson has also pushed for new programs to make the university better. Engineering has been approved as a four-year major this summer; history and professional golf management were approved as undergraduate majors. Next on the horizon is a three-year doctoral program in pharmacy. A new academic school was also formed, the School of Health Professions, which includes physical therapy, exercise science, physician assistant and rehabilitation services.

UMES has also made significant enrollment strides. The number of students exceeded 4,000 for the first time in its history the past two fall semesters. Thompson has also demonstrated abilities in the fundraising arena: The school is three years into a $14 million Campaign for Academic Excellence -- its priority to raise funds for endowed scholarships -- and recently announced it has passed the $6 million mark to reach 45 percent of its goal. UMES raised more than $5 million in the first three years of the campaign, almost double any previous three-year period in UMES history.

UMES has long been regarded as a "Best Kept Secret." U.S. News magazine's recent recognition of the institution as one of "America's Best Black Colleges," ranking in top tier of U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, no doubt places the university in a spotlight. Thompson should feel free to take a good dose of credit for that.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JHawk,

Very nice. I hope they noticed too.

Can she get rid of them giant mos-me-skee-tees though?

I like the geese, the student center, the athletic facility and the way the cluster dormitories are laid out. Nice touches.

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UMES has long been regarded as a "Best Kept Secret." U.S. News magazine's recent recognition of the institution as one of "America's Best Black Colleges," ranking in top tier of U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities. .

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Originally posted by THE DREAMER:

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UMES has long been regarded as a "Best Kept Secret." U.S. News magazine's recent recognition of the institution as one of "America's Best Black Colleges," ranking in top tier of U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities. .

...I'm glad they kept her arse in MD

ME TOO!

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Originally posted by #1FAMUAN:

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Originally posted by THE DREAMER:

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UMES has long been regarded as a "Best Kept Secret." U.S. News magazine's recent recognition of the institution as one of "America's Best Black Colleges," ranking in top tier of U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities. .

...I'm glad they kept her arse in MD

She would have been better than any of those bustas you had running your school since Humps left. With that kind of record of failure, you should be glad that Bison Thompson even considered an effort to help save FAMU from itself.

Wow,Dr.Thompson has done some wonderful things at UMES.
I really like the engineering,health professions and pharmacy being added.

Yep!! Sounds like she's right where she needs to be.

Although I give Dr.Ammons an A+ at FAM so far,it sounds like Dr.Thompson would have been a good progressive fit at FAM as well.

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Originally posted by SHOT CALLER:
Although I give Dr.Ammons an A+ at FAM so far,it sounds like Dr.Thompson would have been a good progressive fit at FAM as well.

Nope. She would not have "fit." And that is not to say that Dr.Thompson is not an excellent administrator. But all that she is doing at UMES has already been done at FAMU to a larger extent at FAMU. She's covering ground we've already occupied.