Book excerpt: In 1866, the Maryland State Normal School opened its doors in downtown Baltimore with the goal of training its 11 students to teach in the state's public school system. From then on, the school underwent dramatic transformations of name and program, eventually becoming Towson University in 1997. The collected images in this volume depict the 140 years of Towson University's growth, including the campus's architectural gems, such as Stephens Hall, built in 1915, and the university's students, faculty, staff, and alumni, who are the heart of the academic community. Towson University, Maryland's metropolitan university, is nationally recognized for its excellent programs in the arts and sciences, communications, business, health professions, education, fine arts, and computer science. The university attracts its diverse 17,600 students from 48 states and more than 100 countries, and offers more than 100 degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and the applied professional fields. Towson University commemorates the school's 140th anniversary, celebrating a rich history and dynamic future.