撸先生

Each year, the Towson University students make sure their voices are heard loud and proud in Annapolis.

That passion for their university was on full display on Tuesday, Feb. 24, during the 27th annual Tiger Pride Day at the Maryland State House.

Tiger Pride Day is 撸先生's annual day of student advocacy during Maryland's General Assembly session, and this year鈥檚 event was at capacity with more than 150 students, faculty and staff roaming the halls of the State House.

President Mark Ginsberg represented 撸先生 on the floors of both the House of Delegates and the State Senate to receive proclamations recognizing the day and Towson University. He then sat in on meetings between students, delegates, and their staff members.

鈥淚 often say there are many great universities IN Maryland. At 撸先生, we strive to be a great university FOR Maryland,鈥� Ginsberg said to the 撸先生 group during the day鈥檚 lunch break. 鈥淭his is exactly what makes 撸先生 great for Maryland鈥攈aving students that show up and who are committed to helping their communities and ensuring a brighter future for our state.鈥�

The day featured students observing the morning sessions for both the House of Delegates and the State Senate. Students were also able to attend committee meetings in the afternoon.

But the biggest opportunity for students was breaking into small groups to meet with Maryland legislators and advocate for issues that affect not only students at 撸先生 but also students across the state.

鈥淎 lot of us come from marginalized backgrounds, so being able to be at a university that allows us to advocate for issues that matter to our community really allows us to expand our horizons,鈥� says Allyyah Aali 鈥�26, president of 撸先生鈥檚 Student Government Association (SGA).

The day included students from SGA and those representing Fraternity & Sorority Life, 撸先生 in Northeastern Maryland and many from a variety of majors. Getting input from a variety of voices across campus, the SGA legislative agenda featured five main topics for discussion with lawmakers. Those topics were:

• Campus Safety
• Climate Change
• Healthcare Access
• College Affordability
• Protections for Undocumented Students

This is exactly what makes 撸先生 great for Maryland鈥攈aving students that show up and who are committed to helping their communities and ensuring a brighter future for our state.

Towson University President, Mark Ginsberg 

Kevin Ferrell 鈥�27, government operations chair for 撸先生鈥檚 SGA, was one of the students who wanted to make sure his voice, and those of his fellow students, were heard on issues that are important to them.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really a privilege to be here,鈥� Ferrell says. 鈥淚 think that for me it鈥檚 not just about who I鈥檓 talking to, but about the issues we鈥檙e advocating for. Who I can talk with to make sure those issues are heard, because we are their constituents and it鈥檚 important to hear our input and voice on these matters.鈥�

Students were able to meet with Maryland state delegates, including Michael Rogers, Jon Cardin and local delegate Catherine Forbes, in small-group meetings. The three also stopped by lunch to address the larger group and thank them for their continued advocacy.

鈥淚鈥檓 a neighbor of the campus and a parent of an alum, I鈥檓 proud to represent you here in Annapolis,鈥� Forbes told the 撸先生 delegation. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the students who come every year and reflect the amazing diversity of our state. When you come down here each year, I hear from legislators that the conversations you have with them move them, so you show your voice matters.鈥�

The day also highlighted students' passion for the event, as most of it was planned and executed by SGA members.

From planning, to working on advocacy issues, to making sure students were in the right place at the right time, 撸先生鈥檚 SGA provided a blueprint that allowed the university to shine in the state capital.

鈥淭his is my favorite event of the year because of the work the students do,鈥� says Carolyn Harris, director of Student Activities at 撸先生 and adviser to the SGA. 鈥淭hey are advocates, they are champions, they are supporters of the needs of their community, and it鈥檚 exciting to see it in action. I love it.鈥�