Honor Elizabeth Wainio '95Towson University lost one of our own on September 11, 2001. A daughter, a friend, a sister, an executive. Honor Elizabeth Wainio, a Towson graduate from the Class of 1995 who grew up in Catonsville, MD was among the 40 passengers and crew who died on United Airlines Flight 93, one of the four planes hijacked on September 11, 2001. Elizabeth worked her way through college in the retail industry in order to complete her degree in mass communications from TU. A few years after graduation, she joined the Discovery Channel Stores team and her spirit, determination, and talent moved her quickly through the ranks to a district manager. It was a business meeting that had her on a plane that morning that left Newark, NJ bound for San Francisco. For Elizabeth and her fellow heroes on Flight 93, the journey that day would end in Shanksville, Pennsylvania as their plane crashed down in the successful attempt to stop the terrorist actions against the nation's capital in Washington, DC. In her final moments, Elizabeth, then 27, was able to call from the plane to say goodbye to the family and friends she loved and would be leaving behind. Elizabeth -- an inspiration to those around her in life -- has continued to inspire friends and family through her memory. Long time friend Linda McFaul recalls that Elizabeth was "always such a positive person, who never dwelt on the negative." "Losing Lizz has taught me to cherish each day, and focus on the positives the situations present" reflects Wendy Muher, another close friend of Elizabeth's. As a tribute to her, Discovery Communications established the Towson University Elizabeth Wainio Communications Scholarship. Every year, Elizabeth's friends at Ropewalk Tavern in Federal Hill host a fundraiser for the scholarship in hopes of keeping her memory and spirit alive. Adds Muher, "Lizz had a way of making everyone in her life feel like they were special and her best friend. She cannot be replaced, but through efforts like the scholarship, we can make sure that she will not be forgotten." The fundraiser for the Elizabeth Wainio Communications Scholarship will take place on September 10, 2009 at Ropewalk in Federal Hill from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. For more information and to register, please click here.
The Towson University Marching Band is making history this fall. Selected from more than 150 bands, the TU Marching Band is the only university marching band set to perform in the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Join us in becoming a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Click below to get behind the band!
Towson University is Bigger, Brighter and in DemandMore than ever, a Towson University education is in demand. According to early projections from the admissions office more than 15,600 freshmen applied for just 2,400 freshmen seats, and an additional 4,200 transfers applied for about 1,500 seats. The word is out on Towson’s affordable, accessible, and excellent education among the state and region’s brightest. So far, the average high-school GPA of enrolled freshmen for fall 2009 is 3.55 and the average three-score SAT is 1625. During these tight economic times, Towson University limited enrollment growth to ensure that it continues to maintain its quality, but the projected undergraduate and graduate total headcount for this fall remains steady at over 21,000, with in-state undergraduates accounting for about 79 percent of the student population. With the beginning of each academic year, it is clear that Towson University is on the move. Towson University 2010: Mapping the Future - Enrollment Management, Growth & Mix
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