Towson University,located in Towson, Maryland, in Baltimore's northern burbs, is the second largest university in the state. A member of University System of Maryland, this premier, metropolitan, comprehensive institution strives to promote quality and value-centered undergraduate and graduate education. It is recognized for its outstanding academic programs in the arts, sciences, business, communications, humanities, health professions, education, and computer information systems. The university traces its root back to 1866, when Maryland State Normal School was opened to train teachers for Maryland’s public school system. In 1935, it evolved into a degree-granting institution called Maryland State Teachers College at Towson. After expanding its arts and sciences programs, the college’s name was changed to Towson State College, in 1963. It gained university status in 1976, and formed a part of new University of Maryland System, in 1988. In 1997, the university adopted its present name, Towson University. Towson University is a regionally ranked Doctoral/Research – Intensive University. It delivers 64 undergraduate majors, 36 master's, and four doctoral programs through its eight academic units – the College of Business and Economics, College of Education, College of Fine Arts and Communication, College of Studies and Research, College of Health Professions, College of Liberal Arts, the Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, and the College of Graduate Studies and Research. The Graduate School offers 26 master's degree programs. Spanning an area of 328 acres, the university campus has a rich blend of traditional and modern architecture. The clock tower, at the Stephens Hall - the oldest academic building on campus, is a beautiful landmark. Albert S. Cook Library holds an exceptional collection of more than 700,000 volumes and non-book items, and 2,000 periodical subscriptions. The 24-acre Towson Center, one of East Coast’s finest sports and physical education complexes, features 5,000-seat Minnegan Stadium, 10 tennis courts, and separate fields for football, lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, and softball. The Fine Arts Center has a 346-seat main stage theater, a studio theater, galleries, studio space, and a 520-seat concert hall. In addition, there is Burkshire Marriott Conference Hotel, with 137 suites and 19 meeting rooms.