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New Turf Field for Bowie State University receives $1,000,000 for conversion of multipurpose field
 The Maryland General Assembly granted Bowie State University $1,000,000 to convert its multipurpose athletic field from grass to artificial turf. Members of the Prince George’s County Delegation celebrated with Bowie State University President Mickey L. Burnim, Bowie State University Foundation volunteers, students, and staff, at a reception hosted by Morris A. Little, President & CEO, B&W Solutions, Inc. 
“The conversion of our multipurpose field will enhance our campus community in many ways,” stated Dr. Mickey L. Burnim, President of Bowie State University. “A competitive football program will have a state-of-the art surface on which to compete. The university’s general student population will have more access to the field for recreational use; University assemblies such as commencement will be enhanced by the improved aesthetics of the field; and in these challenging economic times, we intend to explore revenue generation through rental of the field.”  Leading the effort in the Maryland State Senate, Senator Douglas J.J. Peters, District 23, and member of the Bowie State University Foundation Board of Directors, introduced and stewarded legislation that requested half of the funds required for the project. After he acknowledged the participation and support of Senator Ulysses Currie, chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee, Peters said: “I’m very proud to have Bowie State University in the twenty-third legislative district. I see the turf field as another step toward improving a historically black university on the rise.”
Getting the legislation passed in this economic recession required strategy and teamwork. The celebrants gathered in the game room of one the university’s residence halls, were told of various ways in which these public officials worked together and with others to get the appropriation.
 Delegate Jay Walker, District 26, put forth the bill for the other half of the funding in the Maryland House of Delegates. A former athlete, Walker said, “Anytime you can provide students with top flight facilities, we are doing our jobs as legislators,” stated Walker.
His efforts received pivotal assistance from Delegate Michael Vaughan, district 24, who joined Walker in convincing House colleagues of the field’s importance to the university’s continued advancement; and Delegate Melony G. Griffith, district 25, who as a member of the Appropriations Committee was able to call for action on the legislation. “I am just as excited as everyone else at Bowie State,” said Vaughan. “[The new turf field] was a long time coming, but I’m excited to see it here. This is just the beginning and I look forward to providing continuing support.” “The funding exemplifies collaboration and team work at its finest. The entire state will benefit from this effort” said Griffith. “The success these individuals were able to achieve by delivering this field to Bowie State is a gleaming example of what can be accomplished when our elected officials work together,” said Little, who is also the treasurer of the Bowie State University Foundation. The new field is expected to be in place in time for the Bowie State University Bulldogs first home football game against the Virginia Union Panthers on September 25, 2010. Kick off time is 1:00 pm. ### Additional photos from the reception are available online Click here or upon request to rmuchiri@bowiestate.edu, if you wish to receive a hard copy.
From left to right: Delegate Jay Walker, Mr. Mike Little, Senator Douglas Peters, Delegate Melony Griffith, President Mickey Burnim, and Delegate Michael Vaughan
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