Tag Archives: Black History Month

A Brief History of UMB African American Student Organizations

As Black History Month 2021 draws to a close, the Historical Collections in the HSHSL could not let the month past without looking back on UMB’s African American history. The following highlights a few of the many student organizations throughout UMB’s history in an attempt to acknowledge the work of many to make our campus more inclusive and diverse. Continue reading

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DABS (Data and Bioinformation Stuff) Volume 1 Issue 5: Black History Month

The Center for Data and Bioinformation Services (CDABS) is the University of Maryland Health Sciences and Human Services Library hub for data and bioinformation learning, services, resources, and communication. Next week (Feb 8-12) we will be celebrating Love Data Week … Continue reading

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Esther E. McCready, First African American Graduate from the School of Nursing, Class of 1953

Culminating Black History month and ushering in March’s Women’s History Month, is Esther E. McCready, School of Nursing, Class of 1953. McCready was born on January 10, 1931 in Baltimore, MD; she graduated with honors from Dunbar High School in February 1948. During high school she worked as a nurses’ aid at Sinai Hospital maternity ward and following graduation worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital’s records department, which lead to her to choose the nursing profession. Continue reading

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Dean Natalie D. Eddington, First African American Dean of the School of Pharmacy

In 1957, Reverend James E. Hodges became the first African American graduate of the School of Pharmacy.  Fifty years later, Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP was named dean of the school becoming the first woman African American Dean at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).  Continue reading

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Dr. Jesse J. Harris, First African American Dean of the School of Social Work

Dr. Jesse J. Harris graduated from the School of Social Work with a master’s degree in 1971 and again with a PhD in 1976.   Following graduation he continued his military career in the Army serving as chief of social workers for the Army Surgeon General, consultant to the U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique, and finally as chief of Social Work Services at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  He retired from the Army in June 1990 as the Army’s highest ranking social worker.  Continue reading

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Dr. Donald E. Wilson, first African-American Dean of the School of Medicine

In 1991, the University of Maryland School of Medicine named Dr. Donald E. Wilson the thirtieth dean of the school.  At this time, Dr. Wilson was the first and only African-American dean at a traditionally white medical school. Continue reading

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Dr. Elton “Tony” Preston Maddox Jr.

In 1968, the first African American student entered the School of Dentistry; Elton Preston Maddox Jr. was born on a farm in Kingston, MD on November 17, 1946.  He was the valedictorian of Carter G. Woodson High School in 1964 and entered Morgan State the following year, graduating from the University with honors in 1968. He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was on reserve status during his time at the School of Dentistry.  Dr. Maddox graduated with honors from the School of Dentistry in 1972; he was the only African American Student during his four year tenure.  In contrast, according to The Happenings, by January 1973 there were 32 African American Students in the School of Dentistry. Continue reading

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African American History at UMB

Today, Diversity is one of the seven core values identified in the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Strategic Plan.  According to the Diversity Statement on the Core Value’s site, “The University is committed to a culture that is enriched by diversity and inclusion, in the broadest sense, in its thoughts, actions, and leadership.”  These values are reflected in the current student demographics of UMB. Unfortunately, diversity and inclusion was not always a value held by the university. In 1807, the College of Medicine was founded in Baltimore, establishing the University of Maryland.  As was the case with many institutions at this time, students tended to be white males from in or around Baltimore or Maryland. Continue reading

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