September 13, 1996-As UMBC begins its 30th year, a report by a major accrediting body on UMBC's performance finds that an "exceptional morale and sense of purpose have driven the University to a higher level of excellence in education, research, and publi
c service than its level of resource support and brief history would normally empower." Some of UMBC's "outstanding strengths" noted by the Middle States Association evaluation team include the following:
"UMBC has attracted an outstanding undergraduate student body that is among the very best in American public universities. The students are bright, serious, and believe they are getting a
superior education."
"UMBC is fortunate to have an unusually dedicated faculty who perform their multiple responsibilities with remarkable achievement. They are strong in both undergraduate and graduate teaching and in research and provide service to the institution, their pr
ofessions, and community with distinction."
"The team was impressed with the University's proactive outreach strategy to forge effective
partnerships with business and industry to benefit both the region and the campus."
"The team was impressed with UMBC's integration of its public policy mission and student service and outreach."
"The team was struck by the broad and intense commitment to UMBC...by all institutional
constituencies-faculty, students, and administrators...[and] by the effective leadership provided by the President and the Provost...[who] bring unbounded energy, enthusiasm, knowledge, and talent to their roles as campus leaders."
The evaluation team also identified some key challenges facing the campus, including,
especially, the need to continue to expand UMBC's graduate and research programs and to attract increased funding from both public and private sources.
"The Middle States report is exciting because it affirms and sharpens our goal to make UMBC one of the best mid-sized, public, research universities in the nation."
-President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III
