Freeman A. Hrabowski III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Freeman Hrabowski
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| President of University of Maryland, Baltimore County | |
| In office 1992–2022 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Hooker |
| Succeeded by | Valerie Ashby |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Freeman Alphonsa Hrabowski III
August 13, 1950 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Spouse | Jackie Coleman |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Hampton University (BA) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (MA, PhD) |
Freeman Alphonsa Hrabowski III (born August 13, 1950) is an American educator, a supporter of good causes, and a mathematician. He is well-known for his work in education.
In May 1992, he became the president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). This is one of the twelve public universities in the University System of Maryland. Dr. Hrabowski helped transform UMBC into a university famous for its research and new ideas.
Under his leadership, UMBC was named the #1 Up and Coming University in the U.S. for six years in a row. This was by U.S. News & World Report magazine. Later, UMBC was included on their list of Most Innovative National Universities.
His studies and books focus on science and math education. He especially helps minority students succeed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). He has written several books, including Holding Fast to Dreams (2015).
Dr. Hrabowski also led a committee for the National Academies. This group worked on how to get more minority students involved in science and technology. In 2012, President Barack Obama chose him to lead a special group. This group advised on how to improve education for African Americans. Many publications have called him one of America's best leaders.
In 2011, he received a top award for educators, the Academic Leadership Award. This came from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Growing Up and Learning
Freeman Hrabowski was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1950. At that time, Birmingham was a segregated city. This meant that Black and white people were kept separate by law. He was the only child of his parents, who were both teachers.
People often ask about his last name, Hrabowski. He explains that he is the great-great-grandson of Eaton Hrabowski. Eaton was an enslaved person who was given the name of his Polish-American slave owner. Dr. Hrabowski shared that he is the third Freeman Hrabowski. His grandfather was the first Freeman Hrabowski born as a free person.
When he was 12 years old, in 1963, Dr. Hrabowski joined the Children's Crusade. This was a march for civil rights in Birmingham. He convinced his parents to let him join. During the march, he was arrested with many others. The city's Public Safety Commissioner, Eugene "Bull" Connor, even spat in his face.
At 19, Hrabowski graduated with high honors in mathematics from Hampton Institute. He also spent a year studying in Cairo, Egypt. He then went to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. There, he earned his master's degree in mathematics. Four years later, he received his PhD in higher education and statistics.
Leading UMBC to Success
UMBC was a fairly new school when Dr. Hrabowski arrived in 1987. He started as a vice provost, then became executive vice president. In 1992, he became the president.
For almost 30 years, Dr. Hrabowski was the president of UMBC. He became a very well-known figure in education. He strongly focused on STEM education. He also helped start the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. This program helps minority students succeed in STEM fields.
Under his leadership, UMBC helped more Black students earn science and technology degrees. This was more than any other non-historically Black university in Maryland. Dr. Hrabowski also advised President Barack Obama on education policy. He received an honorary doctorate from Harvard University in 2010. He retired from UMBC in 2022.
Awards and Special Honors
Dr. Hrabowski has received many awards, including:
- National Academy of Public Administration: Elected Fellow, 2021.
- Membership to the American Philosophical Society
- 18th Annual Heinz Award in the Human Condition category
- UCSF Medal – 2020
- Black History Month 2017 Honoree, Mathematically Gifted & Black
