Name the Decade
That Was Where?
The Historic Academic Oval
Pomp & Circumstance
UMES Herstory
100
1880s
1890s
1900s
This was the decade when Princess Anne Academy (later UMES) opened with nine students, two teachers, and one building.
What is the 1880s?
Host: UMES was founded September 13, 1886.
100
This building used to be the home of the bookstore, commuter lounge, and more before their move to the SSC. Now, it houses the registrar's office, financial aid, and admissions.
What is the SDC or Student Development Center?
100
Despite going digital, you can still check out books in this location named after one of the Eastern Shore's native sons.
What is the Frederick Douglass Library?
(Do not except just "The Library")
100
As a young civil rights leader, he was the keynote speaker at the 1959 Maryland State College commencement. The "dream" he had would be four years later.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr or MLK?
100
One of the two first ladies to visit the campus, her 2008 stop in Princess Anne was months before her husband would be elected the first black U.S. president.
Who is Michelle Obama?
200
1940s
1950s
1960s
In one of many name changes, it was "so long Princess Anne College" and "Hello Maryland State College."
What is the 1940s?
Host: Princess Anne College became Maryland State College in 1948.
200
Looking for lunch? Before the fall of 2001, this was the place where you'd stand in line for sandwiches, ice cream, and more. There was plenty of space before the computers.
What is Waters (Dining) Hall?
200
The newest on the oval, built in 1972, houses science labs and classrooms; it was doubled in size in 1990. We're betting the cost to do that was more than peanuts.
What is (George Washington) Carver Hall?
200
When this Baseball Hall of Famer spoke at Maryland State College's Graduation in 1968, it was two months since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated. It had been even longer (21 years and two months to be exact) since he broke baseball's color line.
Who is Jackie Robinson?
200
Nearly 20 years after her late husband spoke at Maryland State College's commencement, she came to speak at UMES as part of Alpha Kappa Alpha's Founders Day event. The dream was still alive.
Who is Coretta Scott King?
(Your choice if you choose Mrs. King or MLK's wife)
300
1960s
1970s
1980s
This was the decade when President John T. Williams resigned and the school changed its name from Maryland State College to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
What is the 1970s?
Host: This happened on July 1, 1970.
300
This building was a dorm, the registrar's office, and more, before it became the place to pick up your check and meet with HR. I'm all for the check part!
What is Bird Hall?
300
Named for the fourth head of the institution, this four-story building houses the Department of Agriculture.
What is (Frank) Trigg Hall?
300
First visiting the campus in 2022 while on the campaign trail, this political figure returns to Princess Anne for the spring commencement as the keynote speaker.
Who is Governor Wes Moore?
(Your choice to take the "Maryland Governor" or "The Governor"
300
It was 1974 when this "First Lady of Song" visited the campus for the dedication of this building that bears her name. She also stirred the crowd into a frenzy with her performance. What an artist!
Who is Ella Fitzgerald?
400
1970s
1980s
1990s
It was a novel idea, but why not have a Mr. UMES to complement its queen? This was the decade when it happened.
What is the 1990s?
Host: The first Mr. UMES was Frank "Malik" Collins, who was crowned in 1996.
400
Before a renovation last summer, traces of the home of the old pool could be found here, where there was a yellow-tiled "caution" sign around the running lane.
What is the Health and Wellness Center/Wellness Center/Tawes Gym Fitness Center?
400
Named for one of the early founders of the institution, the building previously housed a TV studio and many of the English classes. It was a closer walk than the EASC.
What is Wilson Hall?
400
His speech at the 1957 Maryland State College graduation came three years after successfully arguing the Brown vs. Board of Education case in front of the Supreme Court. Ten years later, he'd serve as the first black Supreme Court justice.
Who is Thurgood Marshall?
400
This former Princess Anne Academy grad returned to teach in 1912 and stayed for 45 years through her retirement in 1957.
The building with her name on it is where you go when you're not feeling well.
Who is Lida (pronounced Ly-duh) Brown?
500
1990s
2000s
2010s
This was the decade when UMES Boulevard, the Student Services Center, and University Terrace opened.
What is the 2000s?
Host: They all opened the 2001-02 school year.
500
Before it housed the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, it was the math building, and its bottom floor/basement had a morgue.
Prior to that, it was the home of segregated Somerset High School.
What is Kiah Hall?
500
The former home of the Oasis faculty dining hall, it later housed the Pharmacy program. Now, it's the place you should go if you need help in an emergency. Right?
What is Somerset Hall?
500
You don't have to be a ballerina to know that this 2005 commencement speaker was also a Nobel Peace Prize winner for his work in South Africa, shares his last name with a piece of the dancer's outfit.
Who is (Desmond) Tutu?
500
She made history upon the death of her husband to become the first female principal/leader of what would eventually become the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. If you want to thank her, she's still around on campus.
Who is Portia Lovett Bird?
(Your choice to take just Bird)