“May Peace Prevail on Earth.” These words encapsulate the serene essence of McKeldin Mall. Named after former Maryland Governor Theodore McKeldin, this nine-acre quadrangle lies at the very heart of the University of Maryland, College Park.
McKeldin Mall is one of the most picturesque college campus quads in the nation. Upon its opening, it was considered the largest academic mall in the United States. From building face to building face, McKeldin Mall encompasses about 709104 square feet. That’s 16.28 acres.
Let’s take a closer look at the layout. McKeldin Library and the Main Administration building bookend McKeldin Mall from east to west. Academic buildings house various departments along the north and south borders. These departments are part of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the College of Arts and Humanities, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The Peace Garden sits between the Main Administration Building and the ODK Fountain on McKeldin Mall. It commemorates the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Flowers were placed along the ODK Fountain on September 12, 2001, as a memorial. The Garden marks the location where those flowers were later buried.
Look towards the mall from McKeldin Library’s front entrance. You will spot Testudo, the University of Maryland mascot, sitting proudly in front of the Administration Building.
What is the history behind this landmark? McKeldin Mall underwent a substantial renovation in 1990. The current configuration of sidewalks and fountains was then put into place. There were sidewalks in 1960s aerial photos of the Mall. But not as many as now. Students created footpaths that they called goat trails. These trails were worn into the grass by repeated use. The lack of drainage turned McKeldin Mall into the Terpy-fenokee Swamp in the mid-20th century.
At the heart of McKeldin Mall lies the ODK fountain. It has a 16-foot-by-250-foot rectangular fountain honoring the university’s members of the Omicron Delta Kappa society. Each fountain tier represents one of the leadership qualities found in ODK members.
A sundial honors Dutch astronomer Uco van Wijk. He founded the university’s astronomy program. The sundial sits in the center of the mall at the edge of the ODK fountain.
McKeldin Mall hosts all kinds of activities. These include First Look Fair and Maryland Day. McKeldin Mall has also been a place for students to speak their minds. Protests about apartheid, the Vietnam War, and other momentous issues have taken place here.
McKeldin Mall is more than just a pretty quad. It’s a vibrant center of campus life, a place of remembrance, and a testament to the university’s rich history.