---
title: BSU-UMD Honoring 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III
date: 2020-09-28T03:00:00-04:00
author: Mei Lu
canonical_url: "https://president.umd.edu/news/bsu-umd-honoring-1st-lt-richard-w-collins-iii"
section: News
---
# BSU-UMD Honoring 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III

*September 28, 2020* — by Mei Lu
> On Thursday, October 1, a State of Maryland law -- the 2nd Lieutenant Richard Collins III Law -- will go into effect, changing the way hate crimes are prosecuted. On the same day, our university will join with Bowie State University and the Collins family to launch a joint Social Justice Alliance.

Letter from President Darryll J. Pines

Dear Maryland community,

On Saturday, May 20, 2017, 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III tragically lost his life on our campus. Lt. Collins - Richard to those who knew him well - was just 23 years old, newly commissioned in the United States Army and days away from celebrating his graduation from Bowie State University.

A determined, kind and accomplished young Black man, Lt. Collins had a life of service ahead of him. He was visiting friends at the University of Maryland when he was stabbed and killed by a white UMD student.

We still grieve the loss of Lt. Collins. This week, we will commemorate his legacy with two landmark events.

On Thursday, October 1, a State of Maryland law -- the 2nd Lieutenant Richard Collins III Law -- will go into effect, changing the way hate crimes are prosecuted. On the same day, our university will join with Bowie State University and the Collins family to launch a joint Social Justice Alliance. The Alliance honors the legacy of Lt. Collins and will promote social justice initiatives on both campuses.

Please mark your calendars to [view the live event](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-WynZY2JNQ&feature=youtu.be). And on October 1, let’s say his name, together.

TerrapinSTRONG,

![Darryll J. Pines](https://d2xiydvvjvzxk4.cloudfront.net/president/archive/default/files/inline-images/Darryll%20J.%20Pines%20Signature_0.png)

**Darryll J. Pines**  
*President, University of Maryland*  
He/Him/His

Twitter: [**@President\_Pines**](https://twitter.com/President_Pines)  
Instagram: **[@President\_Pine](https://www.instagram.com/President_Pines/)**

[![Social Justice Alliance Virtual Launch Event October 1st, 2020 at 12:30 pm](https://d2xiydvvjvzxk4.cloudfront.net/president/archive/default/files/inline-images/Social%20Justice%20Alliance.png)](https://bowiestate.edu/academics/special-initiatives/bsu-umd-social-justice-alliance/index.php)<div>[<span>View the event</span>](https://youtu.be/2-WynZY2JNQ)</div>