ESSR is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of special events and activities, with a focus on outreach during the fall semester
Special Screening - THE DEMON CORE
A film by J. Zachary Thurman
www.thedemoncorefilm.com
Date: Thursday, June 26
Time: 10:00 AM. (Screening is approximately 20 minutes)
Location: Hoff Theater, Adele H. Stamp Student Union
Click here to view the movie trailer.
Anniversary Celebration Event
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 4:00 - 7: 00 PM
Location: The Reading Room at School of Public Policy, Thurgood Marshall Hall.
The Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk (ESSR) celebrated its 50th Anniversary on October 16, 2025, at the School of Public Policy’s Reading Room, with over 80 campus leaders and partners. The event highlighted ESSR’s evolution, honored long-serving staff and safety champions, and premiered a new video showcasing the department’s impact across campus. Warm, celebratory, and reflective, the event fostered a strong sense of partnership across university divisions and underscored ESSR’s vital role in advancing a culture of safety, sustainability, and collaboration at UMD.
A Message from the Executive Director
Celebrating 50 Years of Safety and a Sustainable Future
This year marks a significant milestone at the University of Maryland (UMD): the 50th anniversary of the Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability and Risk (ESSR). This is a moment to reflect on our journey, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to a future where safety and sustainability continues to be deeply woven into the fabric of our university.
Our commitment to safety at UMD has a rich history, tracing back to at least the 1950s with the establishment of a Department of Physical Plant Safety Supervisor. As this early initiative evolved, a new Division of Safety and Security was formed encompassing the Police Department, until 1975, when the Department of Environmental Safety proudly spun off as an independent organization.
Much has changed since those early days. The landscape of environmental, health, and safety has been profoundly shaped by significant federal regulations such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, all of which have underscored the critical importance of our work. Moreover, Maryland itself has a long history of addressing public health and worker safety, with early efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed at preventing the pollution of waterways and establishing rudimentary worker protection. These state-level initiatives laid important groundwork for a comprehensive safety framework.
Today, our campus stands as a beacon of progress. The culture of safety, deeply embedded in our research, teaching, and service missions, is stronger than ever. We at ESSR are incredibly proud to support a campus where a core UMD strategic commitment is "We Invest in People and Communities." This commitment resonates profoundly with ESSR's primary vision: to Protect People and the Environment. Indeed, our ESSR vision, which prioritizes returning people home the same or better than they arrived through education, training, and knowledge sharing, to promote a culture of safety and sustainability, is a testament to this shared dedication.
This 50th anniversary is not just about looking back; it's about recognizing the collective effort that has brought us to where we are today. Safety is truly a shared responsibility, demanding the continuous involvement and commitment of every single member of our university community. From our dedicated faculty and staff to our innovative researchers and passionate students, everyone plays a vital role in fostering a safe and healthy environment.
As Executive Director, I am committed to a collaboration with campus leaders at all levels to proactively identify and mitigate risks, ensuring that the University of Maryland remains a safe and thriving environment for all. ESSR will continue to drive progress through the continued integration of sustainability practices across campus operations and by addressing critical and emerging risks, reinforcing our commitment to all members of our community.
Together, we will continue to uphold our values and build upon the strong foundation of safety and sustainability that defines our exceptional university.
— Mary Dorman, Executive Director
Share Your Stories
We invite you to join us in acknowledging the progress we've made and to help us chart the course for an even safer and more sustainable future. We'd love to hear your safety stories or memories related to UMD or ESSR throughout the years – Please share them with us at askESSR@umd.edu. We will add them to our website of testimonials.