What's new at Salisbury University? Record enrollment and yes, a planetarium in works

Students at Salisbury University will see a busy campus this 2024 fall semester as the school will continue to reach construction and academic milestones.

A record-setting incoming class sets the stage for new opportunities for new and returning students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Here are just some details this academic year.

A record enrollment

According to university data, this fall will set a record for enrollment with over 1,400 first-year students and 500 transfer students. That continues a trend of increases seen over the last five years.

What started in 1921 as a primarily a teachers' college to meet the needs of regional schools has grown into a university with more than 8,700 students from more than 30 states and 60 foreign countries; more than 40 undergraduate and nearly 20 graduate degree programs — on a campus with more than 90 buildings on more than 200 acres.

That is a far cry from since the first 105 students attended their first class in the campus’ lone building in 1925.

Moore endorses Kamala Harris: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore endorses Kamala Harris, tamps down vice president speculation

A new and improved Blackwell Hall

In late June, Salisbury University President Carolyn Ringer Lepre, University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay Perman and members of the USM Board of Regents and university officials took part in a ceremonial construction launch at Blackwell Hall.

"The renovation project is transforming the former library into a one-stop shop for current and future SU students," said a statement from the university on the construction. "It will be home to numerous offices, including the SU Counseling Center, Advising Center, Registrar’s Office, Construction Group Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Dean of Students Office and more, centralizing most student support systems on campus."

Finally, it also will serve as the new home of the Admissions Office, with features including a greeting and gathering space for tours and open houses.

With the passage of the State of Maryland’s Fiscal 2025 budget, Salisbury University received an additional $19.2 million over the next three years to help fund the renovation of Blackwell Hall into a campus hub for student services.

Runaway Bride turns 25: Berlin celebrates 25th anniversary of Runaway Bride, the movie that made the town famous

A planetarium on campus? Yes, really

Salisbury University is encouraging local students to reach for the stars thanks to a $200,000 gift from the Richard A. Henson Foundation to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

The funding will allow the university to enhance its physics program with the construction of a campus planetarium adjacent to Henson Science Hall completed this fall.

“We are very pleased to continue honoring the legacy of Mr. Henson with this new planetarium,” said Stacey McMichael, executive director of the Henson Foundation. “It is a natural expansion of the offerings at the Henson School. We, at the Richard A. Henson Foundation hope that with this new learning opportunity, students and community members will enjoy what the planetarium has to offer.”

According to the school, the gift continues a long history of support shown to it by the Henson Foundation and its namesake, a commuter airline pioneer who became acquainted with the university after moving his business operations to Salisbury in 1981. In 1987, he created the university's Henson School with a $2.5 million endowment.

“With the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and renewed interest of NASA returning to the moon and the space agency’s plan to colonize Mars in the next decade, there is a burgeoning need for young scholars training in the science of the stars and space,” said Dr. Michael Scott, dean of the Henson School, adding that the planetarium, combined with SU’s proximity to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, could make the area especially attractive to students hoping to study astronomy and astrophysics.

Shrimp is becoming bigger business: Can shrimp become big business in Maryland? Here's what's in works as it moves forward

New academic programs

In April, Salisbury University announced it's helping to prepare the next generation of professionals in the communications field with its new Master of Arts in Public Communication in the new graduate school.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of public communication professionals to rise 11% from 2020-2030. Launching for fall 2024, the program will help fill the expected need for 30,000 professionals who will enter the field each year, particularly in the New York-to-Washington, D.C., corridor — the area of the country that employs the largest number of public communication specialists.

"Tracks in SU’s new program include athletic, corporate, health, and public affairs and political communication. Along with core classes, each track will have specialized courses focused on specific skills," said the university in a statement.

Also, students can now fast track their way to careers in aerospace and nanotechnology by meeting the growing demand for licensed engineers with the creation of a new engineering physics major.

“This offering is a major step forward in both our academic portfolio and our support of local economy,” said Dr. Michael Scott, dean of SU’s Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology. “Unlike other engineering programs designed with a ‘boot camp’ mentality that expect very high failure rates, SU will use a hands-on, student-centered approach that challenges but supports our students through faculty mentorship. The Henson School’s high retention rates in physics are a tribute to the teaching talent and commitment of the physics faculty.”

The major combines applied science and practical engineering and is designed for students interested in careers that apply physics to solve real-world problems and develop new technologies and applications.

WWII ordnance detonated at Assateague: WWII ordnance found on Assateague beach detonated by Dover Air Force Base team: PHOTOS

Shopping on campus to meet students' essential needs

Sammy’s Stash was created in response to students’ essential needs and to reduce the University’s environmental impact. Sammy’s Stash is an expansion off the Give & Go Donation Program, which started in May of 2022.

This Strategic Innovation Fund Program supports the University’s commitment to the Seven Goals and Strategic Plan. Sammy’s Stash promotes economic, environmental and social sustainability while supporting the initiatives of inclusion, affordability and equity to all.

Residential students can drop off donated items directly in their residence hall collection bins near the RA station when the Give & Go program is running. Donations can be dropped off at the donation station located outside Sammy's Stash at any time for SU students and employees.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: What's new at Salisbury University? Record enrollment and yes, a planetarium in works