It’s turning out to be a great Black History month!
The University of Maryland’s Board of Regents just appointed the first African American president in the school’s 164 year history, WJLA reports.
Darryll Pines has worked on staff at the University of Maryland for the last 25 years. He previously served as dean of the school of engineering. Now, he has been named president, a job that will take effect this summer.
Pines is succeeding Dr. Wallace Loh, who decided to resign following the controversial death of one of the school’s football players, Jordan McNair. Loh congratulated Pines via social media saying, “Dean Darryll Pines has been a great leader of the @ClarkSchool of Engineering for the past decade. He’ll be a great president of #UMD as he leads the flagship university forward. Congratulations to Darryll, a Terp through and through. Go Terps!”
Dean Darryll Pines has been a great leader of the @ClarkSchool of Engineering for the past decade. He’ll be a great president of #UMD as he leads the flagship university forward. Congratulations to Darryll, a Terp through and through. Go Terps! pic.twitter.com/p0HzwdBge3
— Wallace D. Loh (@presidentloh) February 12, 2020
Maryland Congressman Steny H. Hoyer echoed Loh saying, “I join in congratulating Dean Darryll Pines on his selection to serve as the next President of the University of Maryland. He is an outstanding choice. His extensive experience serving as the Dean of the Clark School of Engineering has undoubtedly prepared him for this new role…I am proud to see him make history as the first African American President of the University.”
The university previously had an African American Chancellor who acted in a similar capacity as President, but Pines will be the first official President on record for the school and he’s welcoming his new role.
“It is an honor to take on the leadership role at the University of Maryland, College Park – clearly one of our nation’s finest Research I universities – and one that I know and love so well. As professor and dean of engineering, I am well acquainted with and have long admired the outstanding faculty, the executive leadership, and the passionate and civically engaged alumni and students who make Maryland such a special place,” Pines said.
Congratulations President Pines!
Photo Courtesy of John Harrington/The Washington Post