Adele H. Stamp Student Union: A Hub of Campus Life at the University of Maryland

The Adele H. Stamp Student Union, often called STAMP, stands as the heart of the University of Maryland, College Park, embodying a dynamic center for campus life. Welcoming over 10,000 students, faculty, staff, and guests daily, STAMP provides a comprehensive array of services, programs, and facilities. From its architectural significance to its wide-ranging amenities, the Union serves as a focal point for social, cultural, and academic activities.

Historical Overview

The need for a central location for student activities became apparent as the University of Maryland expanded. Before the construction of the Student Union, student functions were relegated to recreation rooms and basements in various buildings across campus. Around 1920, the Agricultural Publications Annex was briefly considered as a Student Center.

The current Student Union building was completed in 1954, marking a significant milestone in the University's history. Subsequent additions in 1963 and 1973 expanded the building to accommodate the growing needs of the campus community.

Renaming and Recognition

On September 24, 1983, the University of Maryland Board of Regents officially renamed the Student Union as the Adele H. Stamp Union, honoring Adele Hagner Stamp, the Dean of Women from 1922 to 1960. This renaming recognized her significant contributions to the University and her dedication to promoting women’s activities on campus. In 1988, the name was updated to Stamp Student Union to better reflect the building's function.

Adele Hagner Stamp: A Legacy of Leadership

Adele Hagner Stamp's impact on the University of Maryland is profound. Born in Catonsville, MD, in 1890, she attended St. Timothy’s, a private all-girls school in Stevenson, MD, and Western High School. Before her tenure at the University, Stamp taught at a public school in Baltimore and worked as a social worker for the Y.W.C.A., organizing recreation programs for women factory workers. She received an A.B. in sociology from Tulane University in 1921 and briefly served as a field representative for the American Red Cross.

During her time as Dean of Women, Stamp organized and promoted various women’s activities. She initiated the campus celebration of May Day, which began in 1923 and continued annually until 1961. She also founded the Women’s Student Government Association, the Women’s Senior Honor Society (later the Maryland Chapter of the Mortar Board), and the Freshman Honor Society for Women (later a chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta). Additionally, she organized the first Women’s Physical Education Club in 1926 and founded the Campus Club in 1938, an association for women professors and faculty wives.

In 1959, the campus yearbook, the Terrapin, was dedicated to her, marking the first time a woman received this honor. Upon her retirement in 1960, Stamp was named Dean Emeritus by University President Wilson H. Elkins. Adele H. Stamp passed away on October 17, 1974, after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and dedication to student life.

Encounters with Eleanor Roosevelt

Adele Stamp's influence extended beyond the University, as evidenced by her interactions with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The two met on June 12, 1934, at a Democratic Women’s Club of Montgomery County event. Stamp invited Roosevelt to speak at the 1935 National Association of Deans of Women convention in Atlantic City. Although Roosevelt couldn't visit the campus in 1935, she did address a crowd of approximately 6,000 students at Ritchie Coliseum on April 13, 1938, speaking on education, civic responsibility, and community engagement. Correspondence between Stamp and Roosevelt reveals a friendly acquaintance and mutual admiration.

Early Integration Efforts and Challenges

Stamp's tenure also saw challenges, particularly regarding the integration of women into various aspects of university life. In 1938, the University of Maryland Student Band introduced coed drum majorettes, a move that faced opposition. Dean Stamp actively participated in reworking the majorettes’ uniforms, as she initially opposed their existence. Despite the initial resistance, the majorettes reappeared and became a fixture by the early 1950s.

Architectural Design and Renovations

The Adele H. Stamp Student Union is an example of Georgian Revival architecture, characterized by symmetrical facades, red brickwork, and classical proportions. This style aligns with the mid-20th-century campus aesthetics of the College Park campus. The building features a multi-level layout, including a basement, ground floor, first floor, and upper levels, organized around a central atrium. The atrium serves as a vertical hub, connecting the various wings added in 1962 and 1971. These expansions extended the original 1954 structure, creating a cohesive complex with east and west wings that facilitate smooth circulation.

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The design emphasizes pedestrian-friendliness and outdoor integration, with the building oriented toward Campus Drive. Broad sidewalks and entry plazas encourage foot traffic from adjacent academic areas. The Union seamlessly connects to the nearby Nyumburu Cultural Center Amphitheater, extending indoor spaces into landscaped outdoor areas for communal events.

Recent Renovations

The Adele H. Stamp Student Union underwent a significant phased renovation project starting in 2010, with Grunley Construction serving as the prime contractor. Additional facility upgrades were completed in 2022-2023, including new flooring in all elevators and the octagon entrance and vestibule by the Nyumburu Cultural Center, upgrades to air handling units, and redecoration of the North Court lounge with a donated statue.

Services and Amenities

STAMP offers a wide array of services and amenities to support the diverse needs of the University community.

Retail and Shopping

The retail and shopping options in the Adele H. Stamp Student Union provide convenient access to essential goods, academic materials, and services. The University Book Center, the official bookstore of the University of Maryland, College Park, operates as a comprehensive retail hub. It offers textbooks in various formats (new, used, rental, and digital), general academic supplies, and official university apparel from brands like Under Armour and Champion. Graduation regalia, class rings, and diploma frames are also available, with special programs like the UMD First Day® initiative.

Dining Options

The Adele H. Stamp Student Union offers diverse dining options catering to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. Key food court venues include:

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Chick-fil-A: Known for its chicken sandwiches and breakfast items.
Hibachi San: Specializing in stir-fried rice and teriyaki bowls.
Moby Dick House of Kabob (Moby Freestyle): Offering fresh kabobs and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Panda Express: Featuring Chinese-American staples like orange chicken.
Qdoba Mexican Eats: Serving burritos, tacos, and quesadillas.
Panera Bread: For soups, salads, and bakery items.
Union Pizza: For quick slices.

Entertainment

TerpZone, located in the basement, serves as an on-campus recreation center. It features eight bowling lanes, ten billiards tables, and arcade video games, including tournaments for titles like Super Smash Bros.

Technology Services

The Adele H. Stamp Student Union provides various technology services to support academic and organizational activities. The Student Involvement Suite features modern technology integrated into its meeting rooms to facilitate collaboration and digital presentations. Dedicated study spaces emphasize quiet and collaborative environments, with areas repurposed seasonally through the STAMP Study Zone program. The Graduate Student Lounge, located in room 0121 across from the Hoff Theater box office, provides a specialized study environment with essential technology access for graduate students.

Additional Services

Design and Copy Services: Offers printing, copying, poster production, and graphic design support for students, faculty, and registered student organizations.
Legal Aid Office: Provides free consultations and resources to support students navigating legal matters.
Event and Guest Services: Manages room reservations, ticketing through the on-site Ticket Office, and special programs to facilitate campus events and gatherings.
Memorial Chapel: Serves as a serene, non-denominational space for reflection, meditation, and small events, accommodating up to 50 people.
Office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy (MICA): Fosters involvement, advocacy, and service-learning opportunities.

Programs and Activities

STAMP is the hub for numerous educational events, conferences, and programs. The Union houses meeting rooms that accommodate groups from 8 to 1,000 people. Various University of Maryland offices are located in the Union, including the Adele Stamp Union Advisory Board, the Legal Aid Office, the Office of Campus Activities, the Office of Commuter Affairs, the STAR Center, and the Student Government Association offices.

Opening Hours

The Adele H. Stamp Student Union is open from 7:00 a.m. to midnight during the academic year, with modified hours during the summer and university breaks.

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