Three Trailblazing Names, One Campus Promise at Coppin State University
BALTIMORE – On Wednesday, October 16, Coppin State University dedicated three campus facilities: the Margaret Peters Tennis Complex, the Katherine Johnson Science & Technology Building, and the Henrietta Lacks Health & Human Services Building. The celebrations honored legacies of excellence, discovery, and ethical care, and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to access, innovation, and community partnership.
Coppin State University organized three stand-alone ceremonies at each site. Students, alumni, neighbors, and partners participated at every location.
“By naming these facilities for Margaret Peters, Katherine Johnson, and Henrietta Lacks, we honor these extraordinary Black women who individually changed the trajectory of our nation, said, President Anthony L. Jenkins.” Their legacies and impact will remind our students of their responsibility to translate knowledge into service, to never shrink in moments of challenge, and to always fight to advance equity across the communities they are privileged to serve.”
Margaret Peters Tennis Complex
Student-athletes and coaches welcomed guests courtside. Speakers honored Margaret Peters, a Coppin State alumna, and situated her trailblazing collegiate tennis career within the University’s commitment to access and opportunity in athletics. Remarks emphasized her advocacy for equity in sports and the complex’s role in student development through disciplined training, teamwork, and academic support. The program concluded with the unveiling of the facility banner.
Katherine Johnson Science & Technology Building
Attendees assembled on the front terrace for reflections on Katherine Johnson’s precision and courage in STEM. Presenters underscored the building’s laboratories, collaborative spaces, and instructional resources that enable undergraduate research, interdisciplinary problem solving, and experiential learning. The remarks affirmed the building’s role in advancing rigorous, hands-on STEM education that prepares students to translate theory into practice.
Henrietta Lacks Health & Human Services Building
The final ceremony convened at the main entrance. Reflections focused on ethical care, health equity, and community impact. A formal acknowledgment honored the Lacks family’s legacy, including remarks from Attorney Ben Crump that highlighted the enduring importance of dignity, informed consent, and public trust in health and human services. The ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of the University’s commitment to community-engaged, ethically grounded preparation of future practitioners.
Together, these facilities create pipelines from classroom to career. Student athletes engage in comprehensive preparation for success on the court and in the classroom. STEM students participate in research, internships, and technology-enabled instruction that develop analytical and design capacities. Health and human services students apply learning through clinical simulations and community clinics that translate knowledge into measurable public impact.
Coppin State University will continue to invest in mentorship, undergraduate research, high-impact practices, and community-engaged learning. These initiatives prepare graduates who contribute to knowledge creation, civic leadership, and regional well-being.
Visit jsum.top to discover details about our programs, arrange a tour, or find out how you can contribute to scholarships and community partnerships.
