UMES and Princess Anne rename street after Hytche

By WESM News / Stephen Williams

PRINCESS ANNE, MD –

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Members of the Town of Princess Anne Commission, community leaders, as well as students, faculty and staff from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), were on hand Thursday morning, to dedicate a portion of Broad Street after former UMES President Dr. William P. Hytche.

Dr. Hytche, retired from UMES in 1997, at the age of 69, after having served 21 years as president.

The keynote speaker at the event was current University President, Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, who remarked that under the tenure of Dr. Hytche, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore greatly expanded not only its physical size, but also the number of both academic programs and students attending the University.

Dr. Thompson also noted that Dr. Hytche established a strong foundation for UMES, that future generations are continuing to build upon - and was also a beacon of hope for many students who graduated from the university - and as well as their families.

The President concluded by commenting that it was very fitting to name the historical passage to the University - one that was often known as a dividing line between the campus and the town - after the man who sought to bridge that divide himself. Here's Dr. Thompson:

Thompson: What a wonderful day, and a historic day, and it's such an honor to be a part of this, because Dr. Hytche gave his health for this University, and for this city. So, I'm just humbled.

The portion of Broad Street renamed after Dr. Hytche, runs from Somerset Avenue, all the way up to the main campus entrance. Town Commissioner Garland Hayward noted that getting this portion of Broad Street re-named was not an easy task, but was historically appropriate - given that the area was traditionally known as a gathering place for African-Americans:

Hayward: Well Dr. Hytche was part of the community; he had a business on this street. And I just don't want this . . . part of the city to be forgotten. And I do want people to know that we did have an area where African-Americans used to come and fellowship, and have a good time with one another.

Hayward: . . . most families would come and they would park right along the street, on both sides of the street. And you could have families out - and they would eat. And mothers would go and get their hair done . . . and park down here - we'd walk down the street and go to the movie. It was just a joyous opportunity for everyone to fellowship - especially the ones that lived far out in the country.

Finally, I spoke with Ms. Jaquetta Hytche-Simms, who is one of Dr. Hytche's daughters, and also Mr. Jamison Hytche-Hunter, who is one of his grandsons. I asked both of them what it meant to see Dr. Hytche's memory preserved in this way:

Jaquetta Hytche-Simms: It touched us very much to know that Dr. William P. Hytche Boulevard' is in an area where Daddy traveled all the time. His church is here on this same street. He used to own a business here. It's just warms our heart to know that all his struggle and going up and down this road to UMES and dealing with the community, was worth it.

Jamison Hytche-Hunter: Yes, it touched us real well to know that they took the time to name a street after my grandfather, and in his honor - that is actually the corridor to the University. If you really look when you make a turn - it looks as a long hallway to entering into the University which he gave the majority of life to.

Town Commission President, Mr. Frank White, moderated the event, and a representative from Governor Martin O'Malley's office also addressed the crowd - praising Dr. Hytche's legacy and his ability to build partnerships between the University and state agencies.

Afterwards, the new street name was unveiled on a sign in the intersection, reading Dr. William P. Hytche Boulevard.