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Dr. C.D. “Dan” Mote, Jr.

Dr. C.D. "Dan" Mote, Jr.C.D. "Dan" Mote, Jr. served as the president of the University of Maryland from September 1998 through August 2010.

Previously, Mote served on the University of California, Berkeley faculty for 31 years. From 1991 to 1998, he was vice chancellor at Berkeley, held an endowed chair in mechanical systems and was president of the UC Berkeley Foundation. He led a comprehensive capital campaign for Berkeley that raised $1.4 billion. He earlier served as chair of Berkeley's Department of Mechanical Engineering and led the department to its No. 1 ranking in the National Research Council review of graduate program effectiveness. He received the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Berkeley.

Mote's research field lies in dynamic systems and biomechanics. Internationally recognized for his work on the dynamics of gyroscopic systems and the biomechanics of snow skiing, he has authored and co-authored more than 300 publications, and holds patents in the United States, Norway, Finland and Sweden.

Under Mote's leadership, the University of Maryland attracted record numbers of applicants, significantly raised the academic profile of entering students, tripled the number of students participating in the Education Abroad program, emphasized giving all undergraduates a special educational experience beyond their major, increased research funding more than 150 percent, and enhanced the excellence of the university's faculty. He also focused on making attending the university more accessible and affordable, in part through various financial aid programs, including the Maryland Incentive Awards, the Pathways program, and the Keep Me Maryland fund, and he led the push to close the achievement gap in graduation rates for underrepresented minorities.

Mote also initiated and raised money for the biggest building boom in the university's history, with new buildings and renovations that serve the academic mission, research and student and alumni life. Major projects included the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building, Bioscience Research Building, Knight Hall, Tawes Hall, Van Munching Hall, the Xfinity Center and the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, among others. In addition, he created Maryland Day, an annual open house that draws up to 100,000 visitors from the community. 

He has held the title of Regents Professor since stepping down from the presidency. Since 2013, he has served as president of the National Academy of Engineering. 

 

About

The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and nearly 400,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus.

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Introducing The Nation's First Do Good Campus Transforming Idealism into Impact 

Academics

Spanning 12 schools and colleges, Maryland offers more than 300 degree-granting programs, many of them ranked among the best in the country. Our faculty includes two Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 58 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. And our students, who include the highest achievers in the state and nation, enjoy experiences unique to our location just outside the nation’s capital, including internships, research, and leadership and service opportunities.

Research and Innovation

The University of Maryland is one of the world’s premier research institutions. With our strategic location and scores of partnerships with government and businesses, UMD conducts groundbreaking research on some of the biggest challenges facing our global community, including cybersecurity and terrorism, bioengineering, public health equity, food safety and climate change. We strive to discover new knowledge and put it to work through innovation and entrepreneurship, advancing economic development and transforming lives. 


The newly launched Innovation Gateway will guide you to the resources, programs, partners, and spaces you need to activate and scale your fearless ideas into innovations that launch new ventures, catalyze growth, and advance economic development.

Arts

At the University of Maryland, the arts, the humanities and the sciences intersect to address important societal issues and shed new light on the human experience. Our vibrant campus arts community collaborates with local and national cultural organizations such as the Phillips Collection, Kennedy Center and Folger Shakespeare Library. Student and faculty artists, designers, historians, writers and performers are exploring new media, presenting new perspectives, investigating new techniques and engaging new audiences.

Athletics

Home of the Terrapins, the University of Maryland has one of the nation’s most recognizable and successful athletics programs. More than 550 student-athletes compete each year in 20 intercollegiate sports—12 for women and eight for men. Since 2005 alone, Maryland has won 19 national championships, including NCAA titles in women’s basketball, men’s soccer, men's lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, and field hockey. Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 2014, UMD has won a combined 32 regular season and tournament championships. Fear the Turtle!

Student Life

The Terp experience extends beyond classrooms, labs and studios. It encompasses residence halls and dining halls, clubs and sports, fraternities and sororities, campus events and performances, and countless off-campus destinations. Maryland touts 800-plus student organizations, dozens of prestigious living and learning communities, and countless other ways to get involved. Students here can create a unique identity and grow as individuals, even as they’re part of a close-knit and diverse community. 

On Campus

News

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Terps are bold, smart, curious and proud. We do good, in our communities and out in the world. We are fearless. And we are always looking to expand our ranks. Interested in becoming a University of Maryland student? This is where to start.

 

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Giving back is a fearless Terp tradition, and there are many ways you can not only keep it alive, but also make an instant impact. 

M Circle on the University of Maryland campus

 

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