17 YEARS IN THE WORKS
On July 6 , Governor Larry Hogan came to Stevenson to formally announce the acquisition of the Rosewood property . He was joined by President Elliot Hirshman , Ph . D ., as well as Senator Bobby Zirkin .
The 117-acre Rosewood site sits adjacent to Stevenson ’ s existing Owings Mills campus and will nearly double the total acreage of the University . While no final plans for the site have been determined , the agreement calls for Stevenson to use the site for educational purposes . The University ’ s tentative plans , after completion of environmental clean-up and remediation , include developing new educational facilities and recreational resources for its students and the community .
“ I have no doubt that the State , Stevenson , and the community that surrounds our Owings Mills campus all will benefit from turning this dilapidated parcel of land into a vibrant , beautiful site for education and athletics ,” Campbell says . “ Our President Emeritus Kevin J . Manning saw the potential for this site more than a decade ago . But this would not have moved along to this point without the support of local community leaders and organizations , Senator Bobby Zirkin , and our District 11 Delegates as well as Senator Ed DeGrange and Delegate Adrienne Jones .”
Zirkin , who promoted this sale for 17 years , explains his dedication to making it happen . “ To take a campus with Rosewood ’ s history and turn it into something wonderful for the community is a great thing . The idea of helping Stevenson double the size of their campus is a benefit not just to the University but also to the local community . They ’ ve really turned this into a college town , and businesses in the area are thriving in part because of Stevenson .”
He , too , notes his appreciation for the support of several individuals . “ To me , this move was always the right fit , and I thank President Emeritus Manning and Tim Campbell for sticking with it . Our governors also deserve credit : Martin O ’ Malley made sure that Stevenson was the sole-source bid and during my first meeting with Governor Larry Hogan , he committed to this and helped make it happen .”
The matter is also personal for Zirkin . “ I ’ ve grown up here and I remember when the Owings Mills campus was a massive mound of dirt , and now look at it — it ’ s incredible ,” he says . “ It ’ s one of the best things going in the area . I ’ m just proud to be a tiny part of it .”
James B . Stradtner , Chair of the University ’ s Board of Trustees , says , “ We are committed to making Stevenson and its future development of the Rosewood property assets that enhance our surrounding community and the State of Maryland . The acquisition of the Rosewood property marks yet another historic milestone in the growth of Stevenson University .”
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