Baltimore Fire Chief William Goodwin (center), with Joanne Hildebrand (left), director of UMUC's fire science program, and Gerald Heeger (right), UMUC president.

UMUC Honors Baltimore Fire Chief and Alumnus William Goodwin Jr.

By Chip Cassano

Baltimore Fire Chief William Goodwin Jr., an alumnus of UMUC's nationally acclaimed fire science program, was honored at a special reception hosted by UMUC's Alumni Association November 22, 2002, at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore. Goodwin is one of the more recent in a long string of public servants who have graduated from the fire science program and risen to leadership positions across the country. Goodwin earned his degree from UMUC in 2000 and went on to earn a master's degree in management from Johns Hopkins University. He took office as fire chief in February 2002, after serving the department for more than 25 years.

"UMUC was among the first institutions of higher learning to offer a bachelor's degree in fire science completely at a distance, with no required classroom attendance," said UMUC President Gerald Heeger. "Because of numerous barriers associated with the nature of fire service, traditional, campus-based instruction is difficult to coordinate and promote. Chief Goodwin is exemplary of UMUC's adult students, who balance the importance of their college education with full-time jobs and family responsibilities."

Goodwin's accomplishments include serving as chair of the Mayor's Joint Executive Committee for Homeland Security Baltimore, being appointed to the Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission by former Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening, being named American Legion Fire Fighter of the Year for 1985, and being named Thomas J. Burke Memorial Fire Fighter of the Year. He received his second Meritorious Conduct Award in 2001.