University of Maryland University College is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2017, including its proud history of service to the U.S. military, which began when it was established in 1947 specifically to serve the educational needs of veterans returning from World War II.

Carrying on a commitment that continues to this day, UMUC first sent faculty overseas to teach active duty military personnel in Europe in 1949 and in Asia in 1956.

In a tradition dating back to the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower -- who wrote to congratulate UMUC on its service to our Armed Forces -- we are pleased and proud to share a celebratory letter to our community from President Barack Obama before he left office, commemorating our 70th anniversary and thanking our faculty and staff for helping to ensure that "the doors of opportunity continue to open wide for all who are willing to dream big."

To read the letters from seven other U.S. presidents, see the 2012 Achiever magazine article, Hails from the Chiefs.