Bowie State University Unveils Expansive Facility Designed to Fuel Individual Expression

Bowie, Md. – August 27, 2024 -- Bowie State University today celebrates the opening of the new Martin Luther King Jr. Center, a vibrant environment for learning and creativity designed to inspire students to harness the power of their voice and free expression to shape the future. State and local officials, university leaders, and project partners gathered to cut the ribbon and officially open the $166 million, 192,000 square foot center that will serve every BSU student. The center will become the hub for core studies in communications and humanities. Dr. King’s own words will be a constant inspiration for students in the building. Abstract impressions of vocal sound waves from his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech are incorporated into the design of the façade and interior finishing of the main entrances echoing his call to have “the courage to face the uncertainties of the future.” The two-year construction project was completed in partnership with architect Perkins & Will and construction manager Whiting-Turner. With a focus on visibility, connectivity and storytelling, the design of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center expresses the power of voice and community.

Honoring a Commitment to Service

Included inside the new MLK Jr. Center, the 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III Alcove features a two-story likeness of the fallen Bulldog who was killed by an act of hate in May 2017 a few days after his commissioning into the Army. It provides a space for collaboration and reflection where students and visitors can draw inspiration from his commitment to a life of service. “The Collins family is overwhelmed with gratitude and inspiration by this tremendously powerful gesture to honor the memory and legacy of our beloved son, 1 st Lieutenant Richard W. Collins III,” said Dawn Collins, the late Bulldog’s mother. “We want to thank President Breaux along with her faculty and staff for bestowing upon us this very high

honor.”

His tragic death left an indelible mark in the history of Bowie State, its ROTC program

and the University of Maryland where he was killed. The BSU-UMD Social Justice

Alliance (SJA) was formed in response to the tragedy dedicated to educating and advocating for social justice and racial understanding at both institutions.

Outward Bound Pilot

After lots of hard work, in late September, Outward Bound Chesapeake Bay and the 2nd LT Richard W. Collins III Foundation launched our joint pilot program: Building Bridges. This groundbreaking program connects ROTC Cadets from our partner schools Bowie State University and University of Maryland, College Park which — despite being only a few miles away from each other — have long seemed worlds apart.

During the program’s first activation on September 17th, 40 ROTC students — 20 from Bowie State University and 20 from the University of Maryland — joined at the Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School base camp in Baltimore for a full day of team building exercises, shared challenges, and fun on a high ropes course.

With cadets from both schools reveling in the joy of building a new community and camaraderie, this first event of what will be many was a smashing success.

Social Justice Alliance Moving Forward

Last time we were in touch we told you a little bit about the launch of the Social Justice Alliance in Honor of Lt. Richard Collins III. The first-of-its-kind partnership between Bowie State University and University of Maryland, facilitated by our foundation, has made huge progress since its inception, and even since the April 2021 symposium we told you about last time.

Before the new school year kicked off in August, the Social Justice Alliance had what will now be an annual planning meeting. Our Founders, Dawn and Rick Collins, were both present in addition to other key members of our Foundation’s family to discuss objectives for the Alliance to achieve over the coming year. Stay tuned to learn more about events we’d love for you to consider participating in, in addition to the growing impact of this partnership that we hope will be a model for other universities across the country.