University of Baltimore Community Remembers Catherine Gira
April 4, 2019
Contact: Office of Government and Public Affairs
Phone: 410.837.5739
On April 3, the University of Baltimore Faculty Senate unanimously passed a resolution to honor the many contributions of the late Catherine R. Gira to the University. Gira died on March 26. The resolution reads as follows:
Dr. Gira, one of Maryland's great education leaders and a devoted member of the UB community, served at the institution for more than 25 years as a Professor of English in the College of Liberal Arts, Dean of the College, and as Provost before becoming President of Frostburg State University in 1991. Among her many achievements, she co-founded the University's nationally renowned Hoffberger Center for Professional Ethics in 1987.
Dr. Gira's devotion to learning, which began when she taught high school in Catonsville, Md., continued throughout her life. She was the University's inaugural recipient of the Yale Gordon Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence, and a published scholar specializing in Shakespeare, Renaissance art and literature. She also was a frequent commentator on the state of higher education.
In May 2006, in recognition of her many years of service, the University of Baltimore presented Dr. Gira with an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Therefore, it is resolved that the Faculty Senate honors the memory of this inspirational leader, and thanks her for her singular contributions to the life of the University of Baltimore. Dr. Gira will be greatly missed, and she will continue to stand as a remarkable example of courage, fortitude, and intellectual prowess in our beloved endeavor of teaching, learning and scholarship.
University of Baltimore President Kurt L. Schmoke forwarded the resolution to his counterpart at Frostburg State, President Ronald Nowaczyk, who confirmed that it would be conveyed to the university community at Frostburg.
Read Catherine Gira's obituary.