At UMBC, we’re still young enough to be making traditions. Meet Thomas Locastro, biological sciences alumnus, who knew from day one on campus in 2003 that he wanted to leave behind a lasting legacy.
Locastro joined the newly-made First Year Council, designed to help students view themselves as co-creators of our campus community. “They were encouraging us to pick something to do,” Locastro explains. “How do you leave your mark?”
Thomas Locastro says David Hoffman, Ph.D. ’13, language, literacy, and culture, the director of UMBC’s Center for Democracy and Civic Life, was his biggest supporter in this endeavor. Hoffman, who took this photo of Locastro lighting the first bonfire, says, “The big lesson in Thomas’s story is that students really can bring their vision and talents to the collaborative work of making UMBC’s future bright.”
Locastro brainstormed an idea that would be exciting for students but still relatively inexpensive, and therefore hopefully repeatable. He landed on a bonfire. In the center of campus.
Understandably, there were some roadblocks. But Locastro had staff members to champion his idea. Jen Dress, then the coordinator for the students events board, was integral to the process. “We are really dedicated to figuring things out when students come to us with dreams to make things happen,” says Dress, now director of engagement for Campus Life.
Thomas Locastro, Tess McRae ’22, and David Hoffman gathered at the 2023 Homecoming Bonfire. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)
The other MVP, says Locastro, is Glen Cook, a member of the grounds crew who collects pallets leading up to the fire and is always trying to make the conflagration bigger and better (while staying safe).
“I talked to so many people before I found the right people to really push the idea forward for approval with me,” Locastro says. Since the first bonfire in 2004, Locastro has attended every lighting since.
“I’ve flown back from Saudi Arabia to make this event,” Locastro says. “I’ve flown back from Monaco. I’ve flown back from a lot of places in the U.S. I’ve never missed it.”
Thousands of students have warmed their hands at the last 19 years of bonfires. What tradition will you start at UMBC?
The leaves of the trees on campus are turning red, orange, and gold as the temperature finally starts to cool down. The semester is halfway over now as the autumn weather settles in, but there are still many great events to look forward to. So take a sip of your apple crisp oat milk macchiato and let’s look at six of the best ways to get in the spirit of the season at UMBC.
“The extraordinary story of the Chicago bellhop who attempted to transfer mental images to Polaroid film,” is how the Mind’s Eye: The Psychic Photographs of Ted Serios is billed for interested readers. Out this October, the book features photography from the Jule Eisenbud collection in the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery’s Special Collections, as well as essays by Emily Hauver ’06, visual arts, exhibition curator, and Beth Saunders, head of Special Collections. If the idea of “thoughtography” (Serios thought he was psychically transferring his thoughts to film) intrigues you, take a look at the images and data created by the mind’s eye of Ted Serios.
If You Dare, Go See Dracula
If you enjoy drama, the story of Dracula, copious stage blood, or the idea of the deconstruction of horror through a feminist lens, take your seat and enjoy the show! UMBC’s Theatre Department is staging Dracula: a Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really, from November 2 to November 12. The show—which one might compare more to Kill Bill than Saw—will have a free matinee for UMBC students with an actor talk-back for its final performance.
Production stage manager Tessara Morgan Farley has been researching stage blood for several months to present the most realistic color, texture, and spray. The director of the show, Kathryn Chase Bryer, says, “The fact that I’m working on a show that has a blood person, that’s really special and well done for UMBC.”
Quake in Your Boots with the Hallowzine
With Halloween comes the Hallowzine, commonvision’s annual spooky zine and digital gallery. “It’s very creative and accepting,” says Anna Mishonova ’24, media and communications studies, who submitted to the Hallowzine last year before joining the commonvision staff. “I really enjoyed it, and everyone is very talented. There are some really nice photos, and the poetry can be very moving.”
Check Out Holly Horror by Alum Michelle Jabès Corpora
A girl named Evie moves into a place called the Horror House (her first mistake), where the previous resident mysteriously vanished from her bedroom. Michelle Corpora ’03, English, penned Holly Horror, a young adult book published by Penguin Random House earlier this year as a dark twist on a beloved classic. If you enjoy ghosts, mysteries, and scary stories, this book is for you.
Groove Along to Some Halloween Jazz
Strange things are afoot at UMBC. Come spend the afternoon with the UMBC Jazz Ensemble performing an all-Halloween-themed live (or undead) show. Treat yourself to these tricky grooves! Bring your human soul to the Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall on Sunday, October 29 at 3 p.m., if you dare!
Selections include Giant Steps by John Coltrane, Dance You Monster To My Soft Song by Maria Schneider, Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen, A Call For All Demons by Sun Ra, Oh! by Ernie Wilkins, and more!
Homecoming this year is full of fun events for canine and human Retrievers alike, whether they’re students, staff, faculty, alumni or friends and family. The week kicks off with the women’s soccer game on October 8, followed by a Maryland-themed dinner event and the Homecoming Bonfire.
Homecoming Saturday on October 14 has something for all the good pups on and off campus. While dogs have always been a large part of UMBC’s culture, UMBC has been creating new traditions with its furry friends in the past few years, like the RAC’s new Laps with Officer Chip and the now annual tradition of the Homecoming Puppy Parade. The parade first began in 2016 to celebrate the university’s 50th birthday, but it wasn’t until 2019 that it was brought back to stay. Each Homecoming since then, around one hundred dogs participate, showing that the puppy parade has become a very well-loved tradition for the UMBC community.
The 2019 Puppy Parade kicked off a beloved UMBC tradition. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)
“I would say that it has become a highlight of Homecoming Saturday,” says Candace Martinez-Doane, the assistant director of student engagement and organizer of the parade. “The participants are alums, students bringing their family pets, and community members who all look forward to coming together and participating in a very cute event.”
Something for Retrievers of all generations
The carnival will open up first as a preview event for students on October 13, and then to the rest of the community on Saturday, October 14. In addition to the rides and games, the day will be full of activities, starting with the Retriever Dawg Chase 5K and Fun Run and ending late that night at the brand new Greek Life Alumni and Friends party. Whether you plan to stop by the Alumni & Friends Tent for snacks, ride the rides and play the carnival games, or just enjoy the food trucks and petting zoo, Homecoming is a great time for bringing Retrievers of all generations together.
Students cheer on at a soccer game. Photo by Jill Fannon, M.F.A. ’11, for UMBC.
“What’s most exciting about Homecoming is it truly embodies UMBC’s definition of community,” says Jess Wyatt, associate director of Alumni Engagement and one of the event organizers. “Many of the staff who execute the activities throughout the week also bring their family and friends to the big carnival day. It’s become a tradition in so many families including my own! My kids look forward to seeing their ‘Homecoming friends,’ which includes many of my colleagues and their kids.”
Celebrate the achievements of UMBC’s student-athletes and alumni at the Athletics Hall of Fame induction on October 13. And if you love lacrosse but prefer watching it from the stands, join the women’s lacrosse team for a potluck breakfast on October 14. The whole week leading up to the carnival is full of opportunities to cheer on our student-athletes as they take the field.
Students gather at a 2023 soccer game. Photo by Jill Fannon, M.F.A. ’11, for UMBC.
Homecoming gives us the chance to celebrate our community of Retrievers off the field as well. GRIT-X Talks features alumni and faculty speakers highlighting compelling aspects of UMBC’s advancements in research and creative achievements. Keep an eye out for social events throughout the week, like the Deans and Donuts mix-and-mingle in the Sports Zone or other affinity group meet-ups.
A PAWsitively BARKING good time
And of course, around 1 p.m. on October 14, start listening for “Who Let the Dogs Out” and watch as dogs and their owners proudly display their costumes and UMBC pride to everyone on Erickson Field. After the parade, winners of the costume contest will be chosen in four categories: most UMBC spirit, most creative, best owner and pet combo, and best overall.
Pups take centerstage at Homecoming. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)
“The spirit and joy that the puppy parade brings to the participants and spectators is really special,” says Martinez-Doane. “It’s such an adorable event that speaks to the uniqueness that is UMBC.”
