All posts by: Kait McCaffrey

Grit and community support help UMBC grads envision—and claim—their futures

Each UMBC student has a unique journey, including challenges to tackle with tenacity, courage, and grit. For many of UMBC’s newest grads, a culture of community support has made all the difference, enabling them to both claim their future and help others along the way.

Determined to succeed

Jeffrey Inen ’18, graduating with a biological sciences degree this week, grew up down the road from UMBC, but his college journey has had unexpected twists and turns. Support from his UMBC community, particularly faculty mentors, helped him to persevere through significant health challenges. Ultimately, Inen would undergo five rounds of chemotherapy while completing his UMBC degree, doing impactful research, serving as a teaching assistant in cell biology, and holding down a full-time job.

“Enduring my struggles with chemotherapy and trying to obtain my degree felt impossible at times,” says Inen. But after taking some time off and starting anew within the biology department, Inen found the support system that would allow him to not only graduate from UMBC, but flourish academically and personally.

When a teaching assistant recommended Inen to Charles Bieberich’s research lab, his entire academic trajectory shifted.

“Dr. Bieberich has supported me from the beginning. Even when I’ve made mistakes in the lab, he’s never once given up on me,” says Inen. When he became ill earlier this semester and spent several days in the hospital, Bieberich visited almost daily.

“It has been a true inspiration for me having Jeff in the lab, knowing the physical setbacks he has overcome in the past few years,” says Bieberich. “He brings that same determination to overcome any and all obstacles to his work, and that’s exactly what it takes to succeed in biomedical research environment.”

“Despite his ongoing struggles,” Bieberich says, “he just continues to work hard and continues to be grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our research goals. I’ve learned more from Jeff than he has from me.”

Inen has also developed a close connection with Michelle Starz-Gaiano, associate professor of biological sciences and his academic advisor, as well as a mentor. Inen says, “I can’t express how helpful she has been throughout my time here at UMBC. She has given me the guidance and the support to pursue my goal of obtaining my Ph.D.”

“The inspiring thing about Jeff is that not only did he persist in the face of extreme difficulties, he remained optimistic and hopeful throughout,” says Starz-Gaiano. “Jeff faced challenges…that would have derailed most people, but he kept going, and kept improving.”

Inen showed that persistent drive to grow, learn, and discover when he earned a summer 2018 research award through the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program.

After commencement, Inen will continue to work in Bieberich’s lab on his ongoing research. In February, he’ll apply for STAR-PREP, a post-baccalaureate program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Strength in numbers

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria touched down in Puerto Rico. Over 1,500 miles away in Maryland, Paola Rojas ’18, business technology administration, was in the midst of her studies at UMBC. But her heart was with her hometown of San Lorenzo.

An avid athlete and strong student, Rojas quickly made a name for herself when she came to UMBC in fall 2014. She finished her first season with 11 match appearances and was named to the All-Rookie Team. Accolades continued to roll in throughout her career and she managed to secure a place on the All-Conference First Team and All-Conference Second-Team, even after suffering an injury in the 2016-2017 season.

Rojas found a new family of support at UMBC and in the surrounding community. That was never more evident than when disaster befell Puerto Rico.

She and other players from Puerto Rico turned to one another for support while they waited for days to hear news from home, with communications hampered by hurricane damage. After over a week of waiting, Rojas finally heard from her family.

“It was really hard the first time I talked to my mom after the hurricane, on September 27, her birthday, hearing her cry over the phone talking about how Puerto Rico looked like a completely different island and how getting food or gas was beyond hard,” she says. “It broke my heart to know that my family was going through a lot and I couldn’t do anything to make it better.”

Energized by support from teammates and the broader UMBC community, Rojas and friends started a GoFundMe page called Project PRdise to aid in relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Through their fundraising efforts, they were able to raise over $10,000 and gather thoughtful personal messages to support those devastated by Hurricane Maria.

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had here at UMBC, to see how much people cared and helped,” says Rojas.

Head women’s volleyball coach Cristina Robertson provided mentorship and encouragement for Rojas along the way. “Paola exemplifies the student-athlete model,” shares Robertson. “She’s a great student in the classroom and a phenomenal athlete on the volleyball court.”

One memory of her time with her coach stands out to Rojas, from the team’s Senior Day celebration. “I still remember when Coach Cristina was giving her speech. She delivered a portion of it in Spanish so my family could understand,” says Rojas. “That was one of the best days of my life.”

Rojas leaves UMBC as the ninth all-time player in terms of hitting percentage, tenth in assisted blocks, and tied seventh in single-season assisted blocks. She will play volleyball professionally for Las Changas de Naranjito in the Puerto Rico’s Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino.

Fresh start

This week, Arabia-Iman Tillery ’18, economics, will become the first member of her family to earn a college degree. For a time, she was worried it might not happen.

Tillery started her college career at another university, taking out large loans to pay her tuition. Facing significant debt after just one year, she decided to return home to Maryland and enroll at UMBC. Bolstered by her mother’s support, Tillery rededicated herself to completing her degree. She shares, “I was determined to climb out of that hole…and come out a better person.”

Tillery threw herself into new pursuits on campus, which quickly shaped her day-to-day routine. She’s served as vice president of the Women’s Center’s Women of Color Coalition and a co-founder and president of the Spanish Conversation Club. She’s also interned with Habitat for Humanity and served as treasurer for the UMBC chapter, all while balancing work and her degree.

Posters of three women for the Women of Color

“With the guidance and support of several members of the UMBC community, I was able to earn great grades while also being involved with other students on campus,” she says.

Tammy Henderson, lecturer of Africana studies and a mentor of Tillery’s, shares, “Arabia is one the most determined and committed students I have had the pleasure of teaching. Her ability to persist despite the obstacles she has had to face makes her a person we should all admire.”

After earning her UMBC degree this week, Tillery will work as a project coordinator for a security company. Thinking back on how much she has achieved and what it took to get here, she shares, “UMBC never, ever gave up on me…UMBC always saw my potential.”

December commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed through both the UMBC Commencement website and UMBC Facebook page. Share well wishes for our grads using #UMBCgrad and #UMBCproud.

Banner image: Jeffrey Inen, right, speaking with his mentor, Javier Guzman. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

UMBC men’s soccer advances to the America East Championship

Members of Retriever Nation felt an exciting sense of déjà vu on Wednesday night as UMBC athletics took down yet another No. 1 seed. Under the lights at LaVelle Stadium in New York, No. 5 UMBC men’s soccer took on No. 1 seed Stony Brook in the America East semifinal match. After 60 scoreless minutes, Jordan Dove ‘20, economics, netted the first goal of the game. The Retriever defense doggedly and diligently controlled the field, keeping the final score to 1-0 and cementing UMBC’s place in the America East Tournament Championship game for the first time since 2014.

UMBC men's soccer huddles up during semifinal game against Stony Brook.
UMBC men’s soccer huddles up during semifinal game against Stony Brook.

“We’re excited to be playing in another America East Championship. It’s an honor to be playing in the game and our players have worked extremely hard to get there,” says Pete Caringi, head coach of the Retrievers for the past 28 years.

Last night’s game followed on the heels of a nail-biting victory against University of Vermont on November 3. After 90 minutes of intense play, the Retrievers and the Catamounts stood unwavering at a 1-1 stalemate. UMBC missed the first penalty kick, increasing the tension on the field. Both teams made each subsequent goals, but UVM was denied their final shot thanks to goalkeeper Ciaran O’Loughlin ‘22. The Retrievers seized the opportunity and made good on their last goal attempt for a final score of 5-4.

UMBC's Ciaran O'Loughlin celebrates a Retriever win over UVM.
UMBC’s Ciaran O’Loughlin celebrates a Retriever win over UVM.

The last time the Retrievers made an appearance in an America East Championship game in 2014, they walked away with the title. With yesterday’s victory, the team has now advanced to the championship six times in the past decade. UMBC brought home the America East title three of those times, and hopes to add another championship to that list of achievements.

UMBC men’s soccer will travel to Durham and take on No. 2 New Hampshire on Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m. Live streaming of the title game will be available on ESPN3. For the most up-to-date information, follow @UMBCAthletics on Twitter.

Game update: Despite a strong effort from the Retrievers, Sunday closed out the 2018 soccer season with New Hampshire winning their first America East title.

Banner image: UMBC men’s soccer senior night game. All images courtesy of athletic communications.

UMBC among the best universities in the world in 2019 U.S. News global ranking

After honoring UMBC as one of the top ten universities in the nation for both teaching and innovation, U.S. News and World Report has now recognized the university on a global scale. UMBC is featured among 242 U.S. institutions in the 2019 Best Global Universities Rankings, which includes 1,250 institutions from around the world.

Now in its fifth year, the Best Global Universities ranking focuses on academic research and reputation, and includes universities in 75 countries. Thirteen areas of achievement are used to determine rankings, including global research reputation, regional research reputation, journal citations, and books published. Full methodology can be found here.

Five universities in Maryland made the list, including UMBC; Johns Hopkins University; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland, Baltimore; and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (a federal service postgraduate academy).

UMBC performed well in several notable areas, including regional research reputation, international collaboration, and the percentage of faculty papers that are among the top 1 percent most cited.

UMBC students working collaboratively outside the classroom.

“We are pleased that our efforts in regional research continue being recognized,” says Karl Steiner, vice president for research. “Our UMBC community is proud of our close partnerships with many of the federal labs in Maryland, as well with other academic institutions.”

“We are also delighted that our international collaborations have increased significantly in recent years, with a growing portfolio of meaningful research collaborations with partners in Europe, in Asia and in South America,” Steiner shares.

UMBC and Peru’s Universidad de Piura establish new collaboration in 2017.

In addition to the institution-wide rankings, UMBC also received acclaim on two “subject lists,” as a global leader in particular focus areas. UMBC ranked #194 in geosciences and #161 in space science of all universities worldwide. UMBC and the University of Maryland, College Park are the only institutions in Maryland to make these lists.

“I’m very proud of the ranking, especially in light of our recent renewal of the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST II) last year and our close connection with NASA/Goddard,” says Eileen Meyer, assistant professor of physics. “We recently revised our astrophysics minor in the physics department and are definitely seeing an increase in interest in astronomy and astrophysics from our undergrads, many of whom have gone on to top graduate schools in recent years.”

UMBC and NASA Goddard representatives cut a ribbon to dedicate the ESI.

UMBC has been nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in space science and related fields for several years. Jane Turner, professor of physics, serves as director of the Center for Space Science and Technology (CSST), established in 2006. One year ago, UMBC expanded this work through dedicating the Earth and Space Institute (ESI) under the leadership of Vanderlei Martins, professor of physics.

Banner image: Fall scenes at UMBC. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

UMBC’s 6th Critical Social Justice Week focuses on passion and pathways to have an impact

The UMBC Women’s Center has planned this year’s Critical Social Justice Week (CSJ) around the core idea that “a single light can’t illuminate a city or a nation, but it can ignite a movement that changes the world.”

CSJ: Ignite takes place October 22 – 26, 2018. The week’s programs have been designed both to tap into the passion people already feel for issues that matter to them and to provide pathways for people who haven’t been engaged in traditional forms of activism to see opportunities to have an impact.

“It’s about being able to share your strengths and skills for activism and social change, and being able to share the message with others,” says Jess Myers, director of UMBC’s Women’s Center.

Building connections, finding a niche

Now in its sixth year, CSJ continues to focus on broad themes of inclusion, equity, engagement, and community. This year’s events will also focus on building new connections and empowering people to explore new ways to do social justice work, whatever that looks like for them.

“It’s really about helping people feel comfortable doing activism and finding their own niche,” says Amelia Meman ’15, UMBC Women’s Center coordinator.

This year’s keynote speaker is Deanna Zandt, a media and technology expert, who will present her talk on Tuesday, October 23, 6:30 – 9 p.m. in Fine Arts 118. Zandt will focus on “how technology can move social justice forward, and what our roles may be in that effort.”

In response to the current campus conversation about sexual assault response and prevention, Myers says, Zandt will also explore what the university community “can do as a whole to make UMBC better.” Additionally, an introductory panel will precede her talk, featuring alumnae Yoo-Jin Kang ‘15, interdisciplinary studies, and Susie Hinz ‘14, gender and women’s studies, speaking about survivor activism.

Events for all

The technology focus of this year’s keynote reflects a goal of CSJ organizers to engage new participants, including more students in STEM programs. To move this vision forward, the Center for Women in Technology has joined CSJ as a core partner this year, and has planned the workshop “Women in Engineering and Igniting Change,” for Friday, October 26, 12 – 1 p.m. in ITE 456.

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) provided insight on programming that would be useful and engaging for graduate students, including a new graduate student panel scheduled for Thursday, October 25, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in ITE 456. GSA Vice President Adam Harvey, a physics Ph.D. student, will participate in a discussion on the interconnections of activism and research, and how graduate students whose research doesn’t connect with activism can also work toward “social change or supporting the campus community,” Myers explains.

Additional CSJ events include a Community Art Project (October 23, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Academic Row), Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon (October 24, 3 – 5:30 p.m., Library 259), and knowledge exchange on social media and elections (October 25, 4 – 5 p.m., Women’s Center). Faculty and staff can attend a training session on Disability as Diversity on the Job (October 23, noon – 1 p.m., Engineering 023), and a staff panel on October 25 will explore activism in the workplace (1 – 2 p.m., ITE 456). Kate Drabinski, senior lecturer in gender and women’s studies, will also reprise her popular CSJ Walking Tour on October 26 (meeting in the Women’s Center at noon).

Myers encourages all UMBC community members to view the full CSJ schedule for information on the events of most interest to them. “What I’m hoping is our participants will realize that their work does matter,” regardless of what issue they are focusing on or how they are approaching it, says Myers. “Our events are accessible for everyone, including those who are just beginning this journey.”

Featured image: UMBC students, faculty, and staff participate in group discussions during a CSJ 2017 workshop. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

UMBC ushers in new academic year with largest class ever

With each new school year, UMBC welcomes Retrievers back to campus with a cherished tradition. Upon entering the arena for Convocation, faculty and staff cheer on new students with high fives, smiles, and the occasional “woof!”

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate the coming of the fall semester. This year, UMBC welcomes the largest-ever class of undergraduates, a mix of first-year and transfer students. And returning students will find new construction and academic opportunities awaiting them—all signs of exciting things ahead.

The Class of 2022

In addition to growing in numbers, the class of 2022 is the most academically competitive class in UMBC’s history, with a 30-point increase in average SAT score and an average GPA of more than 3.8. The incoming class is comprised of 1,800 first-year students, traveling to Baltimore from across the globe. 

UMBC new students assemble for class photo. Photo by Poulomi Banerjee ’16 for UMBC.

“This year’s entering freshmen and transfer class represents our most diverse ever—ethnically, academically, as well as geographically.  With a 46% increase in our new, international student population, our new students come from as far as Australia, Nepal, and Zimbabwe, to Brazil, Canada, and Great Britain,” says Dale Bittinger, assistant vice provost for admissions and orientation.

At the annual Fall Opening Meeting, incoming freshman and Honors College student Jake Doody addressed assembled faculty and staff to talk about why he decided to attend UMBC.

“As my high school career wrapped up, I heard more and more about UMBC; the ‘small class’ atmosphere, a president well-known for his innovative philosophy, and, of course, acclaimed math and computer science programs,” said Doody, a graduate of Glenelg Country School who plans to pursue degrees in those areas.

Jake Doody ’22 with family at the annual Fall Opening Meeting. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

“There’s a real responsibility, a tangible responsibility, to use what I’ve been given to the best of my ability, and UMBC is the best place in the nation for me to do that,” he said.

Building Together

While students were busy with their summer activities, UMBC was working diligently to get campus ready for their return. The Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building (ILSB) continues to take shape with a projected finish date of spring 2019. The building will feature a public art space, teaching labs, and cooperative project rooms to facilitate research and encourage collaboration.  

In addition to new facilities, UMBC has also established new academic programs for the upcoming year. Students can now enroll in master’s of professional studies programs in Data Science, Technical Management, and Integrated Product Development and Manufacturing.

Videos of the annual Fall Opening Meeting, as well as Convocation are now available on UMBC’s YouTube and below.

Banner image by Ian Feldmann ’20. 

UMBC Student Internship and Service Fund expands access to career-building experiences

Summer internships and service-learning offer college students experience and professional networks that can help them succeed in competitive career paths and graduate programs. UMBC prioritizes connecting students with paid internships whenever possible, and is successful in meeting this goal with 75 percent of placements. But not all organizations are able to offer paid internships, and this means that students with financial constraints may not be able to access career-advancing opportunities.
To tackle this roadblock, UMBC’s Career Center and Shriver Center partnered in 2018 to create the Student Internship and Service Fund to offer stipends to students interested in otherwise unpaid internship and service opportunities. The program launched a campaign through UMBC’s crowdfunding platform, Gritstarter, and generated enough support to offer six stipends in its first year, selected out of a highly competitive pool of 70 applicants.
“We are grateful to the alumni, UMBC community members, friends and family who donated to the Student Internship and Service Fund,” says Kacie Lawrence, associate director of internships and employment. “Their support made it possible for these students to pursue incredible summer opportunities, gain professional experience, and make an impact in their communities.”

Portrait of Tyler Moore in front of sports awards and medals.
Tyler Moore ’20

As a captain of UMBC women’s basketball team, Tyler Moore ’20, psychology, knows the importance of leadership skills. That’s why she took her talents to the Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD) this summer to help with their Athlete Leadership Program. Moore worked to redesign an online captain’s course to help athletes to get certified by SOMD.
“It allowed me to put what I know about leadership into a format that can be shared with others,” says Moore. “This not only enhances my own leadership skills, but gives me the opportunity to help those around me become leaders themselves.” She plans to apply this experience to a future career in sports psychology.

Emily Chetelat playing with kids outside.
Emily Chetelat ’20. Photo courtesy of Chetelat.

Emily Chetelat ’20, interdisciplinary studies, spent her summer outdoors giving local students the opportunity to explore the environment. “SuperKids Camp aims to address the loss of academic skills that occurs when children lack access to academically enriching experiences during long breaks, known as the summer learning loss,” Chetelat explains.
This summer was Chetelat’s second time volunteering with SuperKids Camp, making the decision to return because she “found the experience to be incredibly enriching for both myself and the students I worked with.” The internship connected directly with Chetelat’s future career goal of helping to support Baltimore neighborhoods and increase children’s access to green spaces and environmental learning opportunities.

Laryssa posing with a dog next to a Baltimore animal rescue sign.
Laryssa Blanchard ’19

Laryssa Blanchard ’19, psychology, began volunteering at Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) in fall 2017 as part of a service-learning experience, and she has continued her work there while exploring a possible career path in animal behavior.
“The Student Internship and Service Fund allowed me to be able to commute to and from the shelter two-three days a week, and made it possible for me to help BARCS during a time of the year when volunteers are scarce,” says Blanchard. “College students often struggle when it comes to wanting to give back to their communities, or taking on unpaid internship experiences, because as students we know that we need to finance our education in order to pursue our dream careers.”
Blanchard will continue working with BARCS as a student coordinator through UMBC’s Shriver Center this fall. She’ll be responsible for training and transporting a new cohort of service learners helping to guide prospective pet owners through the adoption process.

Samiksha working at an office desk.
Samiksha Manjani ’19. Photo courtesy of Manjani.

Future prosecutor Samiksha Manjani ’19, political science and sociology, spent her summer in Washington D.C. interning for the Child Protection Section of the Family Services Division of the Office of the Attorney General.
“UMBC’s Student Internship and Service Fund allowed me to pursue an internship I cared deeply about,” says Manjani. “I was able to experience working in D.C. alongside attorneys and got to truly experience what working for the government would be like.”
Manjani was able to get a broad sense of each stage of a child welfare case, including the difficult processes of removing a child from a parent or guardian in cases of neglect and finding them a safe and secure home placement. In her role, she curated evidence, filed motions, and discovered facts that would help attorneys general build cases. In addition to gaining experience and skills, she developed relationships with mentors who will help her progress in her career.

Aubrey Livi ’19. Photo courtesy of Livi.
Aubrey Livi ’19. Photo courtesy of Livi.

Aubrey Livi ’19, sociology and economics, returned to Brinkbit, Inc., a custom software development studio, for her second summer. Through an initial internship in 2017, Livi offered marketing support to the entrepreneurs behind the burgeoning company, but a year later, she says,“Because the company is still growing, they were only able to offer me an unpaid internship. I definitely wanted to return and work with them again, but I wasn’t sure if I could afford to.”
Seeing an opportunity through the fund, Livi applied and was granted a stipend to expand her work with the company. She spent several weeks creating original content, visuals, brand positioning, and design to help the local firm be competitive in a highly competitive sector. She hopes to pursue a career in market research.

Theatre set and props for show Hey Dolly
Hello Dolly! set. Photo courtesy of Scott Sainz.

Scott Sainz ‘19, theatre, has been captivated by the Glyndon Area Players (GAP) since seeing their performance of The Little Mermaid in 2016. He didn’t even make it to the end of the show before tracking down the lighting designer and introducing himself. From there, Sainz began volunteering with the small theatre company in Reisterstown, Maryland, assisting with their next production from build to strike. When the opportunity arose to turn this experience into an internship for 2018, Sainz was intrigued but didn’t feel he would be able to commit to an unpaid summer.
“I think the problem UMBC Career Center and the Shriver Center recognized is that all unpaid interns grapple with the fact that unpaid often means sacrifice—sacrificing our apartments, credit, savings, and parents’ savings. For many of us, we aren’t only unpaid, but we lose money in transportation, supplies, and the potential to have a paycheck,” explains Sainz. “The question I was faced with is do I sacrifice everything for a career advancement, or do I stay at my paying job and sacrifice the career opportunities?”
With the help of the Student Internship and Service Fund, Sainz was able to pursue his theatre lighting ambitions, working start to finish on GAP’s summer production of Hello, Dolly! He earned hands-on experience and expanded technical knowledge in rigging, load calculation, genie lift practice, and other skills.
“I have spent my whole life wanting to control lighting for an audience and give them an experience they can’t forget,” Sainz shares. “I am confident that we did that this summer at GAP.”
“Contributions to the Student Internship and Service Fund broaden opportunities for our students to deepen their learning and make contributions in ways that might not have otherwise been possible,” says Lori Hardesty, associate director, applied learning and community engagement. “Generosity from students, faculty, staff, and alumni continue to make a difference for others.” For more information and to support this initiative, visit the fund’s Gritstarter page.
All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC unless otherwise noted. 

Baltimore Magazine’s “Best of Baltimore” highlights UMBC arts and athletics

Baltimore Magazine’s 2018 “Best of Baltimore” issue features some of the region’s standout people, places, and events of the past year, including highlights from UMBC. The magazine hails the UMBC men’s basketball team’s historic March Madness appearance as “Best Upset” of the year. It also honors Lisa Moren, professor visual arts, with the “Best Public Art” title for her innovative NONUMENT 01::McKeldin Fountain app.   It’s been a year of firsts for the UMBC men’s basketball team—from the buzzer-beater shot heard ‘round the world to clinch the America East championship, to the unforgettable U Must Be Cinderella win against no. 1 seed University of Virginia, to an ESPY Award nomination for “Best Moment,” and things show no sign of slowing down now. Head coach Ryan Odom reflects on the whirlwind year saying, “I’m just so proud of these guys and what they were able to accomplish in making history and inspiring our community as a whole.” Senior captain Jourdan Grant ‘18, media and communication studies, recognizes that none of this would be possible without hometown fans, adding, “We just wanted to say thank you to Retriever Nation and the whole city of Baltimore for giving us so much support and love this season.” “This has been such a meaningful year for the team and for UMBC, and this is further recognition of that,” said President Freeman Hrabowski. “We took that amazing March Madness moment as a chance to show the world what we’ve known all along about UMBC—that this is a community that believes in grit and achievement, and also in supporting each other. With hard work and passion, we can reach for greatness together.” Nonument 01 In the category of “Best Public Art-Virtual,” Moren’s NONUMENT app extends beyond the confines of traditional art forms by bringing an iconic public artwork back to life through technology. Baltimore’s McKeldin Fountain was demolished in 2016. Working with Jaimes Mayhew, MFA ’10, IMDA, and Slovenian artists Martin Bricelj Baraga and Neja Tomšič, Moren was able to recreate the structure in the virtual world this past May. “We set out to make an experience that would claim public space and celebrate the people who used it,” Moren said to Bmore Art. “I hope Baltimoreans will feel like they own this as 21st century monument to everyday people, that this is part of their city now…No other city has a monument like this.” Downloadable on iOS and Android devices, guests are able to revisit the Brutalist fountain by using “memory artifacts” to experience the events and visitors that made it a hub for social discourse. The app includes animated waterfalls and interviews with Baltimore residents, including teachers, protestors, and rappers. About the award, Moren shared, “It’s very gratifying that ephemeral technologies are validated as a form of public art in Baltimore through this award.”

In the Best of Baltimore Readers’ Poll, UMBC’s student-run radio station WMBC was a runner-up for “Best Radio Station” in the news and media category. The Baltimore Sun also recently released its 2018 “Best of Baltimore” rankings, which recognized UMBC for offering the area’s “Best Summer Camp” (a readers’ choice award). This year marks the 40th anniversary of UMBC Summer Day Camp, which is operated through the athletics and recreation at UMBC. The camp is designed for kids in elementary and middle school, and includes a very active curriculum of sports, games, and art and craft activities. In addition to Summer Day Camp, UMBC’s youth basketball camp has continue to soar in popularity since its inception in 2016, with more than 150 campers attending this summer. The Retriever Aquatic Club also plays an important role in UMBC’s summer youth athletics programming. The Retriever Aquatic Club, now in its 32nd year, helps swimmers of all ages develop athletic skills, as well as teamwork, motivation, and resilience. Club director and UMBC swimming and diving coach  Chad Cradock ‘97, psychology, recently told the Baltimore Sun, “We want to give them lessons in discipline, focus, drive and goal-setting.” With a message shared by his colleagues across UMBC Athletics and beyond, Cradock said, “Our mission is to develop them in swimming as well as life.” Banner image: Retrievers showing off their school spirit, by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC. Video by Corey Jennings ’10 for UMBC.

Suits and Celebs and Selfies, Oh My! Getting ESPYS Ready

Topping off a history-making year, the celebrations continue tonight for UMBC men’s basketball with a nomination for “Best Moment” at this year’s ESPY Awards. Before they jetted off for a star-studded night in Los Angeles, we caught up with some of the players hitting the red carpet to answer the hard-hitting questions #RetrieverNation needs to know.
ESPYs voting is open until the start of the show at 8 p.m. EST. Click here to vote for the Retrievers!
Q: It’s a night that sports enthusiasts dream of. Is there one celebrity you’re looking most forward to seeing?

  • “LeBron. Cleveland still loves him.” – Nolan Gerrity ‘19, forward/center, unofficial representative of Cleveland.
  • “LeBron James.” –  Max Curran ‘20, forward, here to state the facts and keep his eyes on the ESPY prize.
  • “The GOAT (greatest of all time), Aaron Rodgers, of course. And my celebrity crush, Rachel McAdams, was there last year. I doubt she’d go two years in a row as a non-athlete, but here’s hoping!” –  Joe Sherburne ‘18, forward, still recovering from his Aaron Rodgers Twitter shout out during March Madness.
  • “I don’t think I could pick just one, but definitely LeBron or Drake.” – Jourdan Grant ‘18, guard, ready to represent on behalf of all #UMBCalumni.

Q: The single most important question prior to any red carpet event: What will you be wearing for the big night?

  • NG: “Dark gray suit and some Gucci shoes.”
  • MC: “Black suit with white shirt and black and gold loafers.”
  • JS: “A fine suit, tailored by ATC Dry Cleaners in Annapolis, MD. If you want your clothes tailored right, the only option is to go to ATC Dry Cleaners #ad.”
  • JG: “Blue suit with some ‘drip’.” Editor’s note- we Googled “drip” for you and learned it means “immense swag.” 

Q: You’re going to have a full day ahead of you. How do you envision it going?  

  • NG: “I think I’ll be anxious but mostly excited. I imagine the day will be going very slowly.”
  • MC: “Just endless anticipation, waiting for the show.”
  • JS: “No clue. Maybe I’ll visit the pool. I might stare at my reflection for a while to focus, like Cristiano Ronaldo does before games. And I definitely have to make sure my phone and portable charger are fully juiced, since I’ll be taking lots of pictures.”
  • JG: “Very chill and relaxing. I plan to enjoy some good food and vibing with my brothers.”

Q: Inquiring minds are dying to know what’s the most important thing you packed in your suitcase?

  • NG: “Definitely my portable charger. I’m gonna be using my phone a lot taking pictures during the show.” Psst – make sure you follow @UMBClife on Instagram as Nolan takes over live from the show!
  • MC: “Cali clothes.”
  • JS: “My suit!”
  • JG: “I would say my Comme des Garçon Converse shoes.”

Don’t forget to tune in at 8 p.m. on ABC or Watch ESPN on Wednesday, July 18 and show your support for #RetrieverNation!

A diverse group of young men pose together for a photo in front of a sign that reads "The ESPYS"

UMBC men’s basketball nominated for “Best Moment” at ESPY Awards

In the wake of March Madness, UMBC men’s basketball is now on the edge of another monumental achievement. UMBC’s bracket-busting win over University of Virginia at the NCAA tournament has been nominated for an ESPY Award as the “Best Moment” in sports this year. Fan votes through ESPN’s website will decide the winner, and members of #RetrieverNation are voting daily to help UMBC claim victory.

Journalist (center) holds microphone and speaks with coach and three players in yellow jerseys.
CBS sportscaster Tracy Wolfson interviews (l-r) Coach Odom, Jourdan Grant, K.J. Maura, and Jairus Lyles on camera after their NCAA victory. Photo by Mitchell Layton.

The 26th annual awards show will be on Wednesday, July 18 at 8 p.m. EST, airing on ABC and WatchESPN. Retriever fans tuning in will see familiar faces. Coach Ryan Odom and members of the squad will walk the red carpet at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California.  
“We’re honored to even be nominated for such a prestigious award. You’re talking about moment of the year in sports, that’s a pretty big thing,” said Coach Odom. “[We’re] honored to be mentioned amongst the other nominees who had spectacular seasons and individual moments that captivated the sports world.”

Coach Ryan Odom addresses crowd at Selection Sunday.
Coach Ryan Odom addresses the crowd at Selection Sunday in the Sports Zone.

This one shining moment for UMBC has helped to catapult the team and the university into the national spotlight and resulted in tremendous outcomes. Standout player Jairus Lyles ‘17, sociology, has been working hard and enjoying success as a member of the Utah Jazz Summer League. Building on an already successful program, the men’s basketball youth summer camp doubled in attendance this year and continues to grow.
Even with such a monumental event on the horizon, Odom is constantly looking ahead to what’s next for his players and team.
“We’re excited and we’re gonna have fun with it because it’s kind of the final thing before we can move on to next season,” he said.

Arkel Lamar celebrating UMBC's victory over UVA. Photo by Ian Feldmann, The Retriever.
Arkel Lamar celebrates UMBC’s victory over UVA. Photo by Ian Feldmann, The Retriever.

The UMBC men’s basketball 2018-2019 schedule will be released shortly. Already scheduled is the inaugural Bimini Jam in the Bahamas, where UMBC will face the U.S. Air Force Academy in the tournament’s opening game on November 16, 2018.
Additional coverage about UMBC’s ESPY nomination is available through the Baltimore Sun. Fans are invited to keep voting daily, up until the awards show airs. Share photos of how you’re cheering on UMBC on July 18 using #RetrieverNation on social media.
Banner image: True Grit joins in on March Madness celebrations at the Event Center. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC unless otherwise noted. 

Retrievers go the distance at NCAA Track and Field Championships

UMBC closed out the track and field season strong as two Retrievers competed at the highest collegiate level last week, traveling to Eugene, Oregon, for the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Championships.

Freshman Kelechi Nwanaga, financial economics, qualified for javelin finals with a throw of 51.18 meters, landing in sixth place. In the finals, Nwanaga threw an impressive 55.02 meters, setting her personal best and rebreaking the UMBC record.

Nwanaga finished in fourth place overall, earning First Team All-America Honors, the sixth track and field athlete to do so in UMBC history. She originally set the school record and the America East record at the America East Outdoor Championships in May.

“It was a good experience with it being my first time in the championship competition,” said Nwanaga. “My goal was to finish in the top five, and finishing fourth was a good feeling.”

Also competing in the javelin, Tony White ‘18, mechanical engineering, came in at 16th after throwing 65.71 meters. “It was a surreal experience,” he shared. “Being able to compete against elite athletes was amazing. The competition level at the NCAA Championships is on a level unlike anything else.”

In early May, White won gold at the America East Championships and was named to Second Team All-American by the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association.

“It was a privilege to coach these two this year,” said  Peter Koumlelis, track and field throws coach. “We were one of eight Division I schools to have athletes in both the men’s and women’s javelin competitions at the NCAA Championships. They worked so hard to achieve all that they have this year.”

For more UMBC track and field news, see UMBC Athletics.

Banner image: Freshman Kelechi Nwanaga after winning fourth at NCAA Track and Field Championships; photo by Gail Burton.

UMBC named a top destination for international students and one of the world’s best young universities

Times Higher Education has again recognized UMBC as one of the world’s top young universities through the Golden Age University Rankings. The goal of the ranking, which specifically includes institutions established 1945 – 1967 is to focus on visionary institutions that have quickly risen to prominence on the world stage—over decades rather than centuries. This year, UMBC comes in at an impressive #70 globally and #10 among U.S. universities featured.

The Times Higher Education ranking comes just weeks after the Center for World University Rankings recognized UMBC as one of the top 3.5 percent of all universities worldwide. This latest list features 200 universities from 44 countries. Universities were featured based on the caliber of their teaching environment, research environment, citation impact, international outlook, and knowledge transfer (see methodology, shared with THE’s standard World University Rankings).

Also featuring UMBC is a new list of Top Universities for International Students from U.S. News & World Report. This list focuses on U.S. universities that have a particularly strong commitment to supporting international students throughout their academic journey, providing them with the resources they need to achieve their goals and become a part of the university community.

“We are excited and honored to be included in this new special ranking. This is a testament not only to UMBC’s increasing global presence, but also our deep and continued commitment to the success of our international students,” said Yvette Mozie-Ross, vice provost of enrollment management and planning.

Spring 2018 international student orientation.

UMBC students and alumni from around the globe have remarked on the warm welcome and high level of support the UMBC community provides. Soheila Escobar ’18, information systems, originally from Colombia, came to UMBC with some uncertainties about completing an undergraduate degree abroad, and in English. She shares, “UMBC has helped me in achieving my goals by promoting a very diverse environment where I do not feel excluded, and I, more than anything, feel welcome.”

Of her UMBC experience, Escobar says, “I have taken classes with professors from different cultural backgrounds, professors whose first language is not English, and I have felt very supported and encouraged by them to continue the challenge of finishing my education in a second language.” She carried through that focus on support in her own work, presenting at Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day an online tool to help students connect with peers for academic support.

UMBC’s international graduate students also reflect on how a high level of faculty and staff support encourages their success. Ke He, Ph.D. ‘18, chemical, biochemical and environmental engineering (CBEE), originally from Zhejiang, China, has worked closely with faculty advisor Lee Blaney, CBEE, to advance his research on contaminants that impact water safety.

He shares, “As an international student, the diverse and friendly circumstances in UMBC really helped me to settle down in this completely new environment.” With his Ph.D. now complete, He will continue his research through a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

To determine their list of Top Universities for International Students, U.S. News drew from their Best Colleges ranking and assessed those institutions on specific indicators particularly geared toward international students. These included factors like the availability of international student organizations, housing and dining accommodations during holidays, and institutional need-based or merit aid for international students.

U.S. News including three Maryland universities on the list, recognizing Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland, College Park in addition to UMBC.

“UMBC is a world-class research university that welcomes and supports talented students from more than 100 countries,” says David Di Maria, associate vice provost for international education. “Our highly regarded academic programs, attractive location, and campus-wide commitment to inclusive excellence make UMBC the institution of choice for globally-minded future leaders.”

He reflected, “As we aspire to increase UMBC’s engagement with the world, it is an honor to be recognized as a top university for international students.

All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

UMBC’s spring 2018 commencement honors student achievements, community values

Thousands of Retriever graduates, family, and friends streamed into the new UMBC Event Center last week to celebrate spring commencement, as the ceremonies returned to Hilltop Circle for the first time in two decades. The new arena quickly filled with crowds of cheering supporters, with more tuning in to UMBC’s live webcasts from around the globe.

The class of 2018 receives thunderous support from the crowd during this year’s commencement exercises.

The graduate commencement ceremony, for students earning master’s and doctoral degrees, took place on Wednesday, May 23. The ceremony included remarks by honorary degree recipient Erin O’Shea, the first female president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

Valedictorian Kara Seidel addresses the class of 2018.
Valedictorian Kara Seidel addresses the class of 2018.

O’Shea reflected on the tremendous promise of UMBC’s graduates as leaders of tomorrow, telling graduates:

As I look around this room, I see a lot of powerful individuals. I see individuals who are true to themselves. I see individuals who will have a seat at the table and who will pull up a chair for others. I see individuals who will listen and be heard. I see individuals moving towards greatness.

UMBC hosted two undergraduate ceremonies on Thursday, May 24, including a morning commencement for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, School of Social Work, and Erickson School, and an afternoon ceremony for the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, College of Engineering and Information Technology, and Interdisciplinary Studies.

A student takes a moment to bid farewell.
A student takes a moment to bid farewell.

Kara Seidel ’18, psychology, valedictorian of the morning ceremony, shared her family’s deep connection to UMBC, where her parents and brother also earned their degrees. She reflected that, initially, she was uncertain about whether she could create her own unique path at the university. But once she stepped onto campus, she joked, “the UMBC community sucked me in,” and her college career was full speed ahead.

Valedictorian Kara Seidel addresses the class of 2018.
Valedictorian Kara Seidel addresses the class of 2018.

While studying at UMBC, Seidel accessed opportunities to work in the Trauma Lab of Christopher Murphy, professor and chair of psychology; in an HIV/addiction lab at Johns Hopkins; and at the American Psychological Association. These experiences helped her identify her core interest in the field of psychology: supporting families dealing with trauma.

The people of UMBC have also had a lasting impact on Seidel. She reflected, “We have had the opportunity to learn, not just in the classroom, but as members of a diverse, civic-minded community.”

The class of 2018 prepares to turn their tassels.
The class of 2018 prepares to turn their tassels.

Honorary degree recipient Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, addressed graduates in the morning ceremony. “Achieving excellence, no matter what your background, that’s the greatest victory of all,” he reflected. He also brought some levity to the festivities in recalling UMBC’s history-making NCAA victory, joking that UMBC helped advance his bracket because he chose his winning teams based on academic reputation.

President Hrabowski addresses UMBC graduating class of 2018.
President Hrabowski addresses UMBC graduating class of 2018.

Valedictorian Eudorah Vital ’18, biochemistry and molecular biology, addressed her classmates during the afternoon undergraduate commencement ceremony. “There are three things from our UMBC experience that I believe we can all carry with us into our next pursuits,” she said. “They are: (1) learning to be comfortable with discomfort, (2) upholding the value of diversity, and (3) the practice of gratitude.”

The class of 2018 had thunderous support from the crowd during this year's commencement exercises.
The class of 2018 had thunderous support from the crowd during this year’s commencement exercises.

Vital became highly involved in research beginning in her freshman year, as a Meyerhoff Scholar, MARC U*STAR, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholar. She has already co-authored two papers in top academic journals, and a third is coming soon. Her interest in completing clinically relevant research in an inclusive scientific community, like the one she found at UMBC, led her to select Emory University’s M.D./Ph.D. program in neurobiology as her next step.

Paula A. Johnson, president of Wellesley College, addressed graduates of the afternoon ceremony as an honorary degree recipient. Like Vital, Johnson spoke of the special nature of UMBC’s learning community. She reflected, “All of you have lived and learned within this remarkable culture, one that embodies the best of the nation’s values and ideals.”

Valedictorian Kara Seidel addresses the class of 2018.
Valedictorian Kara Seidel addresses the class of 2018.

Michelle Gourdine represented the University System of Maryland Board of Regents at the ceremonies, and shared her perspective on UMBC’s success. “By any measure—national rankings, research partnerships, public service activities, faculty accomplishments, student achievements…and let’s not forget athletic achievement—UMBC stands as one of the finest universities in the country,” she said.

L-R: President Hrabowski, valedictorian Eudoah Vital, and President Hrabowski pose for a quick photo before the final 2018 commencement ceremony.
L-R: President Hrabowski, valedictorian Eudoah Vital, and President Hrabowski pose for a quick photo before the final 2018 commencement ceremony.

President Hrabowski’s remarks this year focused on an appreciation for the value of truth and integrity, as well as service and commitment to community. He took time to honor veterans and graduating students who will pursue careers in social work and teaching. He also encouraged guests to read UMBC’s Class of 2018 feature, which highlights the personal stories of 43 Retrievers recognized for academic excellence and demonstrating a commitment to a greater good through research, scholarship, creativity, and work with underserved communities.

President Hrabowski addresses UMBC graduating class of 2018.

Before the graduates turned their tassels, he reminded them:

Your dreams, and more importantly, your character will determine who you become. Your character will be reflected most clearly in the courage you possess and the compassion you show for others.

A UMBC graduate celebrates the conclusion of her college career.

Videos of President Hrabowski’s full remarks, as well as those of the honorary degree recipients; valedictorians; Graduate Student Association President Roy Prouty, M.S. ’16, atmospheric physics, M.S. ’19 computer science; and others are now available with captioning on UMBC’s YouTube and below.

Graduates and those cheering them on can share memories, well wishes, and photos through #UMBCgrad, and view UMBC’s Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter accounts for coverage of the festivities.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neKFFyTHeBU&t=6000s

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML9ipKp96pw&t=2387s

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoSqHtIdYic&t=6381s

Header image: CWIT Scholars celebrate together one last time. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

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