HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY
From its inaugural class of 57 students, Frostburg State University has grown to a present-day enrollment of more than 5,600 students.
The campus was once limited to Old Main, a single building that housed classrooms and a library. It has now grown to more than 30 facilities, including residence halls, the Lewis J. Ort Library, the Harold J. Cordts Physical Education Center, the Lane University Center, the Performing Arts Center and classroom buildings that include the Compton Science Center and the Catherine R. Gira Center for Communications and Information Technology, all situated on 260 beautiful acres.
Opened in 1902 as State Normal School No. 2, the University owes its existence to the tenacity of J. Benson Oder, editor of the Frostburg Mining Journal, and the citizens of Frostburg who, in spite of political barriers, raised funds and purchased the site on which Old Main, the University’s first building, is located.
Principal Edmund Dandridge Murdaugh and three faculty instructed the first Normal School class; in addition, the other faculty taught 151 children in the Model School. The Normal School students, who were high school students having to meet no requirements other than age (girls, 16; boys, 17), had but one two-year course of study: elementary education. The curriculum consisted of Latin, mathematics, history, rhetoric and literature, natural and physical sciences, drawing, music, calisthenics, psychology, philosophy of education, philosophy of school management, pedagogy, observation, practice work and primary manual training.
Over the years, the name of the institution has reflected the changes in the scope of its educational mission. In 1935, State Normal School No. 2 became State Teachers College at Frostburg, a four-year college that offered a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. In 1963, the name became Frostburg State College, and finally in 1987, with the strong support of the local civic and business community, became Frostburg State University, an indication of its growing resources, diversity and excellence in educational opportunities for the region and the state.
In 1988, FSU became a constituent institution of the University System of Maryland, comprised of 12 of the state’s 14 public institutions.
Frostburg State University continues its pursuit of excellence, a tradition that now spans more than a century.
FSU's Presidents
| Years | President |
|---|---|
| 1902 – 1909 | Edmund D. Murdaugh |
| 1909 – 1912 | Reginald H. Ridgely |
| 1912 – 1916 | Edward F. Webb |
| 1916 – 1917 | C. L. Staples |
| 1918 | Patrick O’Rourke |
| 1918 – 1923 | James Widdowson |
| 1923 – 1945 | John Dunkle |
| 1945 – 1954 | Lillian C. Compton |
| 1954 – 1964 | R. Bowen Hardesty |
| 1965 – 1969 | John Morey |
| 1969 – 1985 | Nelson Guild |
| 1986 – 1991 | Herb. F. Reinhard, Jr. |
| 1991 – 2006 | Catherine R. Gira |
| 2006 – 2015 | Jonathan C. Gibralter |
| 2016 – 2025 | Ronald Nowaczyk |
| 2025 – Present | Darlene Brannigan Smith |
Timeline
1898 – The Maryland General Assembly authorized State Normal School #2. Frostburg townspeople raised funds for the Beall’s Park location.
1900 – Old Main, the first campus building, was completed.
1902 – First classes begin with 57 students on September 15th.
1904 – First commencement; students received a diploma and lifetime teaching certificate.
1913 – Model School opened, providing hands-on teaching opportunities.
1919 – Frost Hall opened as the first residence hall.
1931 – Teacher training expanded from two to four years by 1934.
1935 – Institution renamed State Teachers’ College at Frostburg; first four-year B.S. graduates.
1945 – Lillian C. Compton became Frostburg’s first female president.
1946 – First liberal arts junior college program introduced (discontinued in 1960).
1949–1950 – 50th Anniversary celebration.
1960 – Gained the right to confer Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees.
1961 – Leon Brumback became the first Black graduate.
1963 – Institution renamed Frostburg State College.
1964–1979 – Major expansion: six residence halls and 11 new buildings.
1971 – First Master of Science degree offered (Management).
1987 – Became Frostburg State University.
1988 – Joined the University System of Maryland; Hagerstown Center opened.
1990 – Frederick MBA program launched.
1991 – Dr. Catherine Gira became the second female president.
1994 – Performing Arts Center opened, inaugurated by The Joffrey Ballet.
1998 – Centennial celebration with year-long events.
2000 – Received Higher Education Award for Leadership in National Service.
2003 – Compton Science Center reopened after renovation; Edgewood Commons opened.
2005 – Began offering programs at University System of Maryland at Hagerstown.
2012 – First doctoral degree offered.
2013 – Gira Center for Communications and IT opened.
2017 – Launch of Ed.D. and DNP doctoral programs.
2020 – COVID-19 forced remote learning; hybrid models adopted.
2021 – Gradual return to in-person learning with hybrid options.
2024 – Health and Natural Sciences Building opened in October.