Presidential History

University of Baltimore Office of the President

In 1925, nine Baltimore civic leaders wanted to provide their city with an evening business and law school. Maynard A. Clemmens, P. Lewis Kaye, William H. Wilhelm, R. Loran Langsdale, Victor, R. Jones, Howell A. King, Alton R Hodgkins, Stewart Lewis and Clarence W. Miles, incorporated the University of Baltimore on August 8, 1925. The school opened on October 1, 1925 in a four story rowhouse at 625 St. Paul Street on the northeast corner of Mt. Vernon Place with 62 law students (three of whom were women) and 114 business administration students. Maynard A. Clemens agreed to serve as chancellor until Dr. Wilbur F. Smith retired as head of Baltimore City College. From that small beginning, the University of Baltimore has graduated more than 40,000 students and still serves Baltimore as an undergraduate, graduate and professional educational institution helping students achieve the goal the founders established--education.

Progression of Presidents

Wilbur F. Smith--1926-1933

Under Dr. Smith the University quickly began to grow. A temporary annex was immediately procured at St. Paul and Centre Streets, and then the trustees purchased the former Baltimore College of Dentistry, renaming it Howard Hall. Sports teams began to emerge--lacrosse and football were among the first. The first yearbook was produced during his tenure by a dedicated group of students from the law class.

Howell A. King--1933-1935

Dr. Howell A King, one of the founders of the University, served first as the executive dean of the school before becoming the second president. Increased enrollment and the expansion of programs were the hallmark of his presidency.

Theodore H. Wilson--1940-1961

Dr. Theodore Wilson first came to the University of Baltimore in 1937 as an educational consultant and was offered the job as president in 1940. During Dr. Wilson's long tenure, both UB and the political climate of the world changed dramatically, and UB adapted to the educational demands brought on by W.W.II. Aircraft engineering, student nursing, and war industries were some of the classes offered by the University and its then Junior College (now College of Liberal Arts).

Dr. Wilson added more buildings to the UB footprint, with the Baltimore Athletic Club, the Charles Hall Annex and the Mount Washington campus all acquired during his tenure. Baseball, wrestling and soccer were also added to UB's athletic program. But his proudest achievement was the transformation of the University's Junior College into a four-year College of Liberal Arts.

Wilmer A. DeHuff--acting president 1962-1964

A former principal of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute High School, Dr. DeHuff came to the University in 1958 as an educational consultant. In 1962 he was named acting president and provost. After Thomas Pullen, Jr became president, DeHuff was named Dean of Faculty.

Thomas G. Pullen, Jr.--1964-1969

Thomas Pullen Jr. created the foundation on which UB rests today, literally. He negotiated the purchase of or had direct influence on the majority of the buildings. His tenacity provided results--the University of Baltimore was made a candidate for accrediation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Pullen's tenure is also known for the construction of Langsdale Library.

Halcott Mebane Turner--1969-2002

With the longest tenure of any University of Baltimore president, Dr. H. Mebane Turner's achievements are many and varied. The greatest expansion of the University and its programs occurred during his tenure with the addition of the day division of the School of Law, and the merger of Eastern College, Mt. Vernon School of Law and the Baltimore College of Commerce. More buildings were purchased--the Academic Center and new buildings were built--the Law Center and Gordon Plaza, the Thumel Business Center.

UB's transformation from a private institution to a public institution to its inclusion in the University System of Maryland all occurred under Dr. Turner.

Robert L. Bogomolny--2002-Present

Robert L. Bogomolny took on the role of president of the University of Baltimore on August 1, 2002. A Harvard College and Harvard Law School graduate, Bogomolny draws upon an exceptional background that spans the academic, legal and corporate worlds, making him ideally positioned to lead UB into the future.