1900 - 2025
Celebrating 125 Years
Nurturing Potential. Transforming Lives.
Join Coppin State University as we celebrate 125 years of academic excellence, community empowerment, and transformative education. Since 1900, Coppin has been a beacon of opportunity, shaping future leaders and fostering a legacy of service, innovation, and growth.
Alumni Impact—Discover how our Eagles soar beyond Coppin.
Suit Up for Coppin’s 125th
Be sure to celebrate our 125th anniversary with exclusive merchandise, apparel, and more!
Support the Legacy
Join us in the BE MORE Capital Campaign, Coppin State University’s largest fundraising effort, with a goal of raising $25 million by our 125th Anniversary in 2025. Your generous support will enhance student enrollment, academic programs, athletics, and institutional sustainability, ensuring the continued growth and success of Eagle Nation. Contribute today and help us build on over a century of transformative impact, guided by President Jenkins’ vision since 2020.
125th Anniversary Logo Assets and Brand Guidelines
Celebrate 125 years of Coppin State University! Download the official 125th Anniversary logo assets and brand guidelines and join us in commemorating this historic milestone.
Explore the Past
From our founding in 1900 to today, discover the moments that have shaped Coppin’s legacy of excellence and service.
1900
Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners established on December 18, a one-year training class for the preparation of Colored Teachers. The class was housed and shared the facilities in the Colored High School (later Douglass High School) located at Dolphin Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
1926
Renamed “Fanny Jackson Coppin Normal School” in honor of the pioneer teacher-educator. A former slave, Fanny’s freedom was purchased by her aunt Sarah Orr Clark for $125. Amazingly, Fanny Jackson Coppin became one of the first African American women to graduate from college in the United States.
1950
The jurisdiction of the college is transferred to the Maryland State Board of Education and is renamed Coppin State Teachers College.
1952
Coppin moves to its current location with eleven acres, with one large stone structure, (Connor Hall) and several cottages on a beautiful rolling hill in northwest Baltimore.
1970
Coppin’s third president, Dr. Calvin W. Burnett, broadens the role and mission of the college from a teacher’s training institution to an urban, comprehensive liberal arts institution.
1974
The School of Nursing is established.
1997
Coppin State Eagles make a historic run in the NCAA tournament by upsetting #2 seed South Carolina.
2004
The College is renamed Coppin State University.
2023
A new home for The College of Business and Graduate School will house the Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship, incubator labs along with smart classrooms and conference space.
2025
The university breaks ground on its third residence hall set to open in 2026.