Former BSU Student 1st Lt. Richard Collins III Has UMD Plaza Named After Him

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A plaza at the University of Maryland has been named in honor of 1st Lt. Richard Collins III, who was killed five years ago by a UMD student who was part of an online white supremacist group.

The plaza sits mere steps away from where Collins was stabbed to death the night before his Bowie State University graduation.

“This is the continuation of a fight against racism in our society,” Bowie State University President Aminta Breaux said at the dedication.

“The loss of anybody is a tragedy, particularly of someone with so much promise,” added U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

Student Sean Urbanski, who was sentenced to life in prison for the killing, belonged to an online white supremacist group but was not convicted of a hate crime because Maryland's laws at that time didn't support the charge. However, Collins' parents have worked with lawmakers to change that.

“Hate is hate,” Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said. “It is not a mental health disorder.”

Collins' parents spoke out at the dedication.

“We must resolve as a civilized nation to take a stance of zero tolerance toward perpetrators of domestic violent extremism,” Collins’ father said.

“We refuse to let racism and white supremacy have the last word in the meaning about our son's life,” added Collins’ mother, Dawn.