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Principals and Presidents of Towson University

M. A. Newell 1824 - 1894
First Principal, Maryland State Normal School (MSNS), 1866 - 1890

McFadden Alexander Newell was an Irish immigrant who graduated from Trinity College in Dublin and taught school in England before settling in Baltimore. In 1865, Newell was asked to establish a state normal school (now Towson University) and served as its principal from 1866-1890. During this time, he also served as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. As Principal at MSNS, he improved both teacher education and public school instruction, set admissions standards for the Normal School and refined the school's curriculum. Described as very congenial with a keen sense of humor, M. A. Newell left a strong legacy to the public education system of Maryland and to Towson University.

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E. Barrett Prettyman 1830 - 1907
Principal, MSNS, 1890-1905

A Pennsylvanian, Elijah Barrett Prettyman began his teaching career after graduating from Dickinson College. Prettyman came to Anne Arundel County where he worked as a teacher and principal for over 15 years. In 1890, he was appointed the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Principal of the Normal School. Under his steady guidance, the Normal School extended its course of study to 3 years and added new courses. Prettyman was known as a frank, courteous and generous person and a capable leader.

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George W. Ward 1867 - 1932
Principal, MSNS, 1905-1909

Unlike his predecessors, George Washington Ward was a product of Maryland education, attending a one room school in Daisy, Maryland. He received his B.A. and Masters from Western Maryland College and his Ph. D. from Johns Hopkins University. In 1905, Ward was appointed Principal of MSNS. He served for 4 years and then resigned to engage in the brokerage business. Important developments during his tenure were broadening of the teacher training program, establishment of a departmental structure for the faculty, and the hiring of a librarian to organize and expand the library.

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Sarah E. Richmond 1843 - 1921
Principal, MSNS, 1909-1917

Born in Baltimore, Sarah Elizabeth Richmond was a natural born teacher. The second person to enroll at the Maryland State Normal School in its opening year, Miss Richmond was in the first graduating class. Miss Richmond's 55 years of consecutive service to the Normal School began in 1866, when M.A. Newell asked her to return to MSNS to teach mathematics. Within a few years, Sarah Richmond was made Vice Principal of the Normal School, and by 1909, at age 66, Miss Richmond became the School's first female principal. Miss Richmond remained principal until 1917 when she resigned to become Dean of the school. Her death in 1921 ended the life of one of the great pioneers in Maryland public education. In addition to being the driving force in moving the School to its current Towson locale, Sarah Richmond raised entrance requirements, expanded the curriculum and created new departments.

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Henry S. West 1870 - 1961
Principal, MSNS, 1917-1920

Like Ward, Henry Skinner West was Maryland educated. He earned both his B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. West possessed an impressive academic background, teaching at all levels from primary to college. In 1917, Dr. West was appointed to serve as principal of the Normal School. During his tenure, MSNS faced some of its most difficult times --enrollment dropped severely due to World War I, funding for the School was inadequate, dormitory space was insufficient, and pay scale for teachers was poor. In 1920, West left his position as Principal to become the Superintendent of Schools in Baltimore. He held this position for five years and in 1926 went to the University of Miami in Florida to become its first Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. As Principal of the Normal School, Dr. West initiated an enrollment campaign to attract more students, reorganized the school's administration, introduced the first summer session in 1918 and was instrumental in getting the State to adopt a system of teacher certification.

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Lida Lee Tall 1873 - 1942
Principal, 1920-1934, President, 1934 - 1938

Born in Maryland and educated in Baltimore's public schools, Dr. Tall earned her bachelor's degree at Columbia University and her doctorate at the University of Maryland. A strong, energetic leader, Dr. Tall guided the institution through its major transition into a 4-year college. In 1935, the MSNS changed its name to the Maryland State Teachers College and implemented a four-year course leading to a bachelor of science degree. Under Dr. Tall's leadership, the College continued to expand and improve its programs, receiving national recognition for the quality of its programs and faculty. Of special interest to Dr. Tall was attracting good students to Towson and enriching their lives. She was active in the development of social and educational events and programs, promoted student government and numerous clubs and established the first honor society. An astute and capable administrator, Dr. Tall was also an avid traveler and an internationally known speaker.

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M. Theresa Wiedefeld 1886 - 1983
President, 1938 - 1947

A native Baltimorean and a graduate of Towson, Dr. Wiedefeld had many roles in Maryland public education, from grade-school teacher to State Supervisor of Elementary Schools. Dr. Wiedefeld was president during World War II when enrollment declined and employees were hard to obtain. Under her administration, the College developed a special program for cadet teachers to help alleviate the teacher shortage, took the first steps toward preparing teachers for junior high and kindergarten and inaugurated a junior college program in the arts and sciences. Dr. Wiedefeld is remembered as sympathetic, understanding, wise and courageous leader.

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Earle T. Hawkins 1903-1972
President, 1947-1969

Like Dr. Wiedefeld, Earle Hawkins advanced through the state educational system from the level of teacher to top supervisory positions. His administration was effected by the phenomenal growth in higher education. In 1947, student enrollment totaled 600. When Dr. Hawkins retired, enrollment had risen to over 8,000 day and evening students. During his presidency, Towson added a full range of baccalaureate programs in the arts and sciences, instituted evening and summer programs and undertook an ambitious building program. Indicative of the school's growth and broadening scope was the change in name in 1963 from State Teachers College to Towson State College. Towson had become the second largest public institution of higher education in Maryland. An urbane, considerate and enthusiastic educator, Dr. Hawkins gave Towson 22 years of capable and devoted leadership.

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James Fisher 1931-
President, 1969-1978

Towson's first leader from the Midwest, James Fisher was born and educated in Illinois. He came to Towson with considerable experience at various levels of university administration. Dr. Fisher was an extraordinarily active president and left a significant imprint on the university. Among his accomplishments were the creation of 4 vice-presidential positions, establishment of 5 academic deans, founding of the Academic Council as a legislative and advisory body of faculty and students, creation of the Office of Institutional Development, addition of a winter session, expanded graduate and continuing education programs and new programs in nursing, occupational therapy and business. During his tenure, 13 new buildings were constructed and the enrollment climbed from 5,727 to 10,762. Towson underwent another name change in 1976 to Towson State University. Dr. Fisher's departure in 1978 signaled the end of the greatest period of development and expansion in Towson's history.

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Hoke L. Smith 1931-2004
President 1979-2001

Early in Dr. Smith's administration, he focused on Towson's status as a "comprehensive university." One of the first changes was the a new governance structure and the establishment of six colleges. With public higher education seriously under-funded, Dr. Smith set out to strengthen alumni and development programs as a source of alternative funding. He moved Towson into the Information Age. During his administration, Towson added 20 new undergraduate programs, 19 new graduate programs and the 3 doctoral programs. In 1997, Towson underwent its latest name change to Towson University. A man of integrity, vision and compassion, Dr. Smith's legacy to Towson was the national recognition the University received for its academic programs.

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Mark L. Perkins 1948-
President July, 2001 - April, 2002

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Mark L. Perkins earned a doctorate in psychometrics and statistics from the University of Georgia in 1976. He received his master's in psychometrics and research design from the same institution in 1974. Dr. Perkins earned a bachelor's degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in 1972. Prior to coming to Towson University, Mark Perkins was the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay from 1994 to June, 2001. He has held a variety of faculty and leadership positions at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia and California State University - Stanislaus. Dr. Perkins' tenure at Towson University was very brief . He resigned in April, 2002.

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Robert L. Caret 1947-
President, July, 2003 to the present

Returning to his Towson roots, Robert L. Caret became the 12th president of Towson University on July 1, 2003. As a former faculty member, dean, executive vice-president and provost of Towson University, Caret served at Towson for 21 years before assuming the presidency of San Jose State University of the California State University System in 1995. Named as one of Silicon Valley's 100 power brokers by San Jose Magazine in its May 2003 issue, Caret has been credited with raising the profile of one of the largest universities in California and developing strong community partnerships.

Caret received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of New Hampshire in 1974 and his bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics from Suffolk University, Boston, in 1969. He also received an honorary doctor of science degree from Suffolk University in 1996, as well as an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the National Hispanic University in 1997.

Caret has made numerous presentations and published professionally in the fields of chemistry, chemical education and higher education. He has authored chapters in two monographs on the mission and role of institutions, and has co-authored and published four textbooks in the fields of organic chemistry and allied health chemistry. His awards and recognitions include the State of Maryland Governor's Employee Incentive Award (1987), the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Leadership in Excellence Award (1999), the Italian American Heritage Foundation Achievement Award (2001) and the Outstanding College President Award from the All-American Football Foundation (2001). He is listed in several editions of Who's Who in America.

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