Remembering Barbara Townsend Cromwell ‘55
Barbara Cromwell pictured for Washington College Magazine in January 2000
Barbara was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Pocomoke City, Maryland, graduating as class valedictorian and Old Home Prize recipient from Pocomoke High School. She then attended Washington College, where she majored in history and graduated with honors in 1955. She had a passion for education and spent many years as an elementary school teacher in Anne Arundel County; many former students kept in touch with her throughout her life.
While a student at Washington College, Barbara was a member of the Elm newspaper staff and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and Omicron Delta Kappa. As an alumna,
she was a dedicated volunteer at the college, serving as Reunion Class Chair, Class
Agent, and as a member of the Alumni Board before becoming an Alumni Service Award
recipient in 2008. She served on the Board of Visitors and Governors and was honored
with emerita status in recognition of her steadfast leadership. In addition to her
work with the college, Barbara supported many causes and charitable institutions focused
on education, medicine, and history.
Along with her late husband George Cromwell ’53, Barbara initiated and supported many
initiatives and projects at Washington College, including the Barbara ’55 and George
’53 Cromwell Center for Teaching and Learning, The Barbara Townsend Cromwell ’55 Chair
in History, the Cromwell Award for Innovation in Teaching, and the Cromwell Building,
erected in 2016 and the current home of the Anthropology, Environmental Science, and
Education departments. Besides Washington College, her generosity has supported research
at Johns Hopkins in neonatal care and rheumatology, as well as the Severn School and
the Saint Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church kindergarten program.
As President Bryan Matthews stated earlier this week, “For those who had the privilege
of knowing Barbara, she embodied the very best of thoughtful and purposeful philanthropy…She
challenged us to think more deeply, to strive for higher standards, and to remain
steadfast in our mission to educate citizen leaders. Barbara Cromwell’s legacy is
woven into the fabric of Washington College. Her life stands as a powerful example
of service, leadership, and generosity in action.”
In the coming weeks, the college will hold a more formal tribute to Barbara in a celebration of her life and contributions to Washington College. She will be deeply missed by many.
