---
title: Hundreds Gather to Dedicate Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza
date: 2022-05-16T15:26:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/hundreds-gather-to-dedicate-lt-richard-collins-iii-plaza"
section: Articles
---
# Hundreds Gather to Dedicate Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza

*May 16, 2022* — by [Maryland Today Staff](/author/maryland-today-staff)


> Social Justice Advocates, Community Leaders, Family, Friends Join UMD, Bowie State to Honor Legacy, Denounce Bigotry

*Lt Collins Plaza Dedication 05162022 SC 6277 1920x1080 — From left, university President Darryll J. Pines and Bowie State University President Aminta H. Breaux stand with Dawn and Richard Collins in the plaza dedicated today for the couple's son. The Lt. Richard W. Collins III Plaza (below) is meant to honor the legacy of and inspire social justice work on behalf of Collins, a Bowie State ROTC student who was murdered on campus by a white UMD student. His parents addressed hundreds of attendees at the dedication ceremony (at bottom).*

The University of Maryland hosted a dedication ceremony today for the new Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza, which honors the life and legacy of a Bowie State University student who was killed in an act of hate in 2017. Hundreds of university community members gathered alongside social justice activists, community leaders, government officials, family and friends of the Collins family to remember Lt. Collins and advance important discussions on social justice and equity for all.

“Our campus has a tradition of honoring civil rights heroes: Benjamin Banneker. Frederick Douglass. Harriett Tubman. Parren J. Mitchell.,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines. “Today, along with the spaces, statues, halls and programs that bear their names, we are adding a new name that will spark the inspiration needed to fight for social justice: Lt. Richard W. Collins III. This is a name—a legacy—that will mean something to every person who sets foot on our campus.”


*Community members view Lt Collins Plaza*


*Dawn and Richard Collins at podium*



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[Youtube Embed related to Hundreds Gather to Dedicate Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV5Jaog8xXU)





**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)