When a search committee introduces finalists for the presidency at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, supporters of the university hope the candidates are anxious to continue the legacy of a small-town institution rooted in educating and molding the social conscience of black students.

In three decades, the university has grown from 1,000 students to a record 4,500, and consistently is rated in the upper tier of historically black colleges and universities with phenomenal growth in academic and technological programs, advanced degree offerings and impressive funding sources that have landed student scholarships and led to thousands of new jobs.

Nearly lost, though, is a unique social climate that in past years helped drive student pride, recruitment, national recognition and critical alumni support, many in a town hall audience on campus told search committee members this week.

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Alumni chime in on UMES search | The Daily Times | delmarvanow.com