Towson University: TU Launches Giving Society Named For Pioneering Female Leaders On International Women's Day ...

Press release from Towson University:

Phaedran Linger ’22

March 7, 2022

Tall-Wiedefeld Society advocates for women at Towson University

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, Towson University is launching
the Tall-Wiedefeld Society to honor TU’s women leaders, build community and create
a permanent legacy to address the needs of young women at TU. 

The society is a growing collective that supports positive change through philanthropy
and education. It is named after two influential figures from Towson University history
who demonstrated how women can change the future: Lida Lee Tall and Dr. Mary Theresa
Wiedefeld. Together, they guided TU’s growth for more than a quarter century (1920–47). 

Towson University has a legacy of women in lead roles that extends from its early
history to the current leadership of Kim Schatzel.

“I’m the 14th president at Towson University, and, throughout my career, I’ve been
the first or the only woman to do my job. However, at TU, that is not the case,” Schatzel
says. “I’m the fifth woman to serve as president at Towson University.”

Schatzel notes that Tall and Wiedefeld made monumental strides in impressive, back-to-back
female presidencies. 

“I can look back at their leadership and not only thank them but also see how they
took advantage of opportunities to move TU forward to help in its rise to what it
is today—a national leader in inclusive excellence providing leadership for the public
good,” Schatzel says.

The Tall-Wiedefeld Society is co-chaired by Tricia Turley Brandenburg, deputy director
of athletics and senior woman administrator, and Donnice E. Brown ’91, ’94, assistant
director and chief of youth services for the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment
Development.

“We want this society’s membership to grow beyond women philanthropists. We welcome
all members and recognize our collective giving power and ability to make a difference
for Towson University and our students,” says Brian DeFilippis, vice president for
university advancement, “The society will fund projects through a member-driven, competitive
grant process to benefit innovative and creative thinking.” The first grant awards
will be made in March 2023 during Women’s History Month.

To learn more about the society’s namesakes, we spoke with Felicity Knox ’94, the
library associate to the Special Collections and University Archives.

As the leader of what was then the Maryland State Normal School (MSNS) from 1920–38,
Tall not only bolstered the institution’s credibility but also guided it through the
Great Depression.

Born in Dorchester County, Maryland, in 1873, Tall moved to Baltimore in her early
childhood and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1914 at Columbia University.

When she started as principal in 1920, the institution was still recovering from the
enrollment decline as a result of WWI.

Knox says that, at the time, Stephens Hall was the only building that had classrooms.
Tall wanted to put all efforts into making the school a place students wanted to be,
so she expanded campus facilities. Along with Stephens came Richmond Hall, Van Bokkelen
Hall and, finally, the Glen.

Tall also made advancements in teacher education. When she started, the school was
awarding certificates instead of degrees. In 1934, the Maryland General Assembly granted
the school the ability to award four-year Bachelor of Science degrees in education.
Tall’s title was then changed from principal to president.

“She wanted to help students grow as people,” says Knox, pointing to the many ways
Tall’s leadership enriched campus facilities and culture.

Wiedefeld was born in 1866 in Baltimore County. She graduated from MSNS in 1904. 

Ambitious and ready to continue what Tall had started, Wiedefeld joined the MSNS faculty
in 1914 as a teacher and started her presidency immediately following Tall in 1938.

“This school was her alma mater; she really believed in it and the mission,” says
Knox.

With the beginning of WWII in 1939, Wiedefeld became concerned about how the institution
would be impacted by the conflict, especially the draft. As students and staff left
due to war efforts, she introduced special programs to alleviate the teacher shortage.
She encouraged the formation of faculty groups and helped establish a regular faculty
salary scale.

Wiedefeld truly envisioned the school as a community, Knox explains. She raised funds
for amenities like Burdick Pool. She also added new curricula, which set the foundation
for what is now the College of Liberal Arts. Wiedefeld’s image of what a university
should be was far ahead of her time, Knox adds, but it paved the way for the TU we
know today.

“If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be [her],” says Knox, noting Wiedefeld’s
innovative professional ability and her strength in difficult times.

Knox believes these two women made such an impact because of their devotion to students
and what it meant for them to go to a university. These women exemplify the long-lasting
impact of women in leadership at TU.

For more information on the society or to join, visit towson.edu/womensgiving.

Phaedran Linger is a senior majoring in mass communication at TU. She is a student
editorial assistant for University Marketing & Communications

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