Towson University: Tiger Pride Day Shows TU Remains ‘Unstoppable'

Press release from Towson University:

Kyle Hobstetter

February 21, 2022

Students spend day meeting virtually with Maryland lawmakers

Towson University continues to find a way to provide students opportunities for leadership
to help the public good.  

The 23rd -annual Tiger Pride Day, held on Mon., Feb. 21, was the second-straight year the
event was held virtually, with students, faculty and staff meeting with members of
the Maryland General Assembly over Zoom.

With the event starting at 8:30 a.m., Vernon Hurte, TU’s vice president for student
affairs, used his opening remarks to thank students for starting their day early to
be advocates for their peers.

“TU continues to be an institution dedicated to preparing the leaders of today and
tomorrow,” Hurte said. “These students are engaged members of the community who are
committed to having a positive impact locally, across the state of Maryland, the nation
and even the world.

“Today I am immensely proud of our students who have taken the time to be here, to
advocate and lend their voices to the important work happening in Annapolis.”

For Olivier Ambush, vice president of the TU Student Government Association (SGA), this was his fourth and final meeting with legislators before graduating this spring.

Speaking to his peers at the end of the day, he couldn’t help but point out events
like this are what make Towson University great.

“I’ve been a part of Tiger Pride Day for four years, but each year is unique and just
as magical as the last,” Ambush said. “It’s always amazing to watch the creative ingenuity
that we all put in to ensure that Towson University continues its commitment to advocacy.”

Check out the 2022 Tiger Pride Day Legislative Agenda

Students being prepared to lead was a theme for the day. TU President Kim Schatzel,
who provided the day’s closing remarks, reiterated that many students who take part
in Tiger Pride Day are more engaged in their communities.

She also pointed out that 86% of Towson University’s 170,000 alumni stay in Maryland
after graduation. More than half of those alums graduated since the year 2000, meaning
they are young leaders helping to push the state toward a new future. The University
fosters intellectual inquiry and critical thinking preparing graduates who will serve as effective, ethical leaders and engaged citizens.

“Our students just don’t live here; they lead here,” Schatzel said. “We are a university
that is on the rise. As an institution that is providing leadership for the public
good, you have the opportunity to harness the momentum of TU, lift up those around
you and join us on this climb.”

University System of Maryland Chancellor Dr. Jay Perman sent a recorded message echoing
Schatzel. He also mentioned how much TU has continued to grow.

He specifically cited how last fall that momentum led him to travel to TU twice in
one week, once for the official dedication of the Science Complex then again later
for the groundbreaking of the College of Health Professions Building.

“It really is a joy to watch TU grow in prominence and impact,” Perman said. “There
is an unmistakable momentum to your rise and your success. I think you’re pretty much
unstoppable right now, and I feel like our leaders in Annapolis feel the same way.”

Tiger Pride Day also provided Towson University students a chance to learn how to
get more involved on campus.

A presentation by the Office of Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility taught them how to take advantage of community service, political engagement and
environmental initiatives offered by the university. 

SGA President Jordan Deveaux, who opened the event, hoped her fellow students recognized
they should also look to help those outside campus boundaries.

“As you reflect on how you will advocate for this legislative agenda, let us take
up the charge to expand our understanding of the word ‘neighbor’ far beyond those
in our residence halls, in our classrooms or on our campus,” Deveaux said in her remarks.
“Let us consider the ground on which we stand our shared home and, in turn, our shared
renovation project for the common good.”

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.