University of Baltimore

University of Baltimore. Founded in 1925, it is a public institution and a member of the University System of Maryland. Located in the cultural heart of Baltimore, it is known for its professional and graduate focus, particularly in fields such as law, business, and public affairs. The university serves a diverse student body, offering a range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs designed to integrate theory with practical application.

History

The institution was established by a group of Baltimore civic and business leaders, including then-Mayor William F. Broening and Walter S. G. McCall, to provide evening classes for working professionals. It originally operated from the Equitable Building and later the Congress Hotel before moving to its permanent location. In 1975, it joined the newly formed University of Maryland System, now the University System of Maryland, and began offering its first undergraduate degrees. A significant expansion occurred in the 1980s with the development of the Charles Royal corridor, and in 2007, it merged with the University of Baltimore School of Law, which had been an independent entity since its founding in 1925.

Academics

The university is organized into three primary academic units: the Merrick School of Business, the College of Public Affairs, and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences. It is best known for the University of Baltimore School of Law, which offers the Juris Doctor and several Master of Laws programs. The Merrick School of Business holds accreditation from the AACSB, and the university offers distinctive programs in areas such as forensic accounting, cybersecurity, and negotiation and conflict management. Graduate offerings include a Master of Public Administration and a Doctor of Public Administration, with many programs designed for working adults through evening and online formats.

Campus

The urban campus is situated in the Midtown neighborhood, adjacent to the Station North Arts and Entertainment District and the Bolton Hill historic district. Key facilities include the John and Frances Angelos Law Center, a striking building designed by the architectural firm Behnisch Architekten, and the William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center. The campus also features the Langsdale Library, which houses special collections related to Baltimore history, and the Student Center located in the historic Charles Royal building. The university's location provides easy access to cultural institutions like the Lyric Opera House and the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Student life

Student life is centered around professional development and urban engagement. Over 60 student organizations exist, including the Student Bar Association, the Entrepreneurs Club, and chapters of Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Alpha Delta. The university fields athletic teams known as the UB Bees, which compete in the NCAA Division II as part of the East Coast Conference. Many students participate in experiential learning through clinics at the School of Law, internships with organizations like the Maryland Office of the Public Defender or the U.S. Small Business Administration, and community projects in partnership with Baltimore City Hall.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include former Mayor of Baltimore and university president Kurt L. Schmoke, former U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings, and former Governor of Maryland Marvin Mandel. Notable jurists include Judge Andre M. Davis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera of the Maryland Court of Appeals. The faculty has included legal scholar Tawnya Plumb, economist Richard Clinch, and poet Michele Glazer. The School of Law counts among its graduates many members of the Maryland General Assembly and leaders in the Baltimore legal community.

Category:Universities and colleges in Maryland Category:University System of Maryland Category:Educational institutions established in 1925