Our History

What is now Bowie State University was established in 1865 as a Normal School to educate Colored People. In 1935, it became Maryland State Teacher’s College. In 1939, a group of Bowie graduates discussed the possibility of organizing a Statewide Group.  Charter members of this group included Beatrice Pitts Payne, J. Gordie Brown, David Shockly, and Leon Taylor. This body was known as the State Alumni Association and was the parent body of the County Chapters. The first president was J. Gordie Brown. The State Group became a National Alumni Association when local chapters were formed outside of Maryland. Today, the offices of the National Alumni Association are located in the Goodloe House, the original home of the first head of the institution that became Bowie State University at 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland 20715. The Bowie State University National Alumni Association was incorporated in Maryland on August 19, 1988, as Bowie State College National Alumni Association. 

The Corporation was organized exclusively for charitable purposes, as an IRS exempt organization under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), and more specifically, to receive and administer funds for such missionary and charitable purposes.