PRINCESS ANNE — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a co-winner of the “1890 University of the Year” award from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

UMES and North Carolina A&T State University shared the honor awarded by the association’s Council of 1890 Universities. It recognizes best overall performance in teaching, research and innovation over the previous two academic years.

President Juliette B. Bell accepted the award during APLU’s 2014 annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

UMES’ increase in the number of undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs — the largest among institutions considered for the award — also earned the council’s “International Student Development Award.”

The 1890 awards are based on self-reported data submitted in such categories as student retention, research, alumni engagement, revenue and expenditures, which are judged by peers.

Twenty historically black institutions comprise APLU’s Council of 1890 Universities. Bell is chair of the council’s executive committee.