All posts by: UMBC News Staff

Alums in the News: Clements, Wohlheiter, Weston, and Hill

Here at UMBC, we take pride in what our alums accomplish after graduation. Take a moment to see which Retrievers have been on the move and making news!

james clements

Clemson University President James Clements ’85 computer science and ’91 M.S. and ’93 Ph.D., operations analysis, recently reported on the state of Clemson University at the Florence Rotary Club. In particular, Clements said he is enthusiastic about the future of the school, eager to improve the Pee Dee Research and Education Center, and will look to motivate students and sport teams. Clements expressed a positive outlook of the future, fully supporting its students and faculty.  Read the full article.

 

 

wohlheiter-karen

Karen Wohlheiter ’11 Ph.D., psychology, recently took part in a panel of 48 experts from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia which discussed the Healthy Weight Program on ABC News. This program helps children between the ages of 2 through 18 to help the families make healthy changes in their lifestyles. These changes include healthy cooking alternatives and recipes, individual and group physical activities, and learning new skills. The main focus is to prevent and and treat childhood obesity. Read more.

 

 

noah weston

Noah Weston ’05, computer science, is overseeing the development of the Modeling Simulation, Emulation and Tool for Analysis (MODESTA) at the U.S. Army RDECOM’s communications-electronics RD&E center. The goal of this is to reduce costs and improve collaboration efficiency. Learn more about Weston’s work.

 

stephaniehill

Categorized as one of the Baltimore Sun’s 50 Women to Watch in 2014 is UMBC’s, Stephanie Hill ’86, computer science and economics. Hill is the VP and general manager of Lockheed Martin. In charge of more than 10,000 people across all 50 States and nine countries, Hill focuses on global solutions. Recently she has taken on a project working to enhance identifying suspects. Learn more about the 50 Women to Watch in 2014.

Have a story of your own to share? Submit a class note.

Renetta Tull, Graduate School, to Chair Session at World Engineering Education Forum

RenettaRenetta Tull, associate vice provost for graduate student development and postdoctoral affairs and director of PROMISE, will chair the “Women in Engineering, Partnerships and Professional Development” session at the 2014 World Engineering Education Forum (WEEF), which will host the International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning. She will also present her research on graduate student diversity and Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) at the conference.

Additionally, Tull has been invited to participate in meetings for the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies based on her work with women in STEM through the National Science Foundation ADVANCE project and Latin and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions.

Click here to read more about Tull’s work.

Winter Commencement Volunteers Needed

commencement09_2HRIt’s time for Winter Commencement and we need your help!

Planning is underway for the upcoming 2014 Winter Commencement Ceremonies and we are looking for volunteers to help with different parts of the ceremony. Be sure to sign up as soon as possible so you have the best opportunity to select your choice job.

Please visit the online sign-up form to see what roles to see which roles are available and make your selection. You will receive a confirmation e-mail after you submit your selection. NOTE: fewer number of volunteers are needed for the graduate ceremony.

As a reminder, the dates for the ceremonies are:

Graduate Commencement
Wednesday, December 17 – 10 a.m.
Retriever Activities Center

Undergraduate Commencement
Thursday, December 18 – processional begins at 9:40 a.m.
Retriever Activities Center

Volunteer training for both ceremonies is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16 in the RAC. Undergraduate training will be at 1 p.m. followed by the Grad School training at 2 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Erin Johnson, ejohnso@umbc.edu.

UMBC’s BreakingGround Featured in AASCU Monograph

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) released a new monograph entitled Becoming a Steward of Place: Four Areas of Institutional Focus. A section of the publication focuses on civic learning and engagement and uses UMBC’s BreakingGround as a model for creating seamless learning environments.

“BreakingGround [is] a campus-wide initiative uniting students, faculty and staff in fostering changes in the academic curriculum, co-curricular activities and campus culture,” the report states. “Students taking BreakingGround courses, participating in BreakingGround programs, and sharing stories on the BreakingGround website are learning to: think entrepreneurially about social challenges, work collectively to bridge differences, and contribute meaningfully to the common good. This work is supported by a campus culture that builds community from diversity and celebrates ingenuity and resourcefulness.”

To learn more about BreakingGround’s work, visit their website. Click here for more details on Becoming a Steward of Place: Four Areas of Institutional Focus.

Meet the Alumni Leadership: John Becker ’01

Name: John Becker ‘01, information systems management
Employer: SigInt Technologies, LLC.
Alumni leadership role: Vice President of Operations for the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors

Q: Where are you from originally?IMG_6164
Annapolis, MD.

Q: What’s your favorite UMBC memory?
Ahhh… Watching George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars at Quad Mania my freshman year.

Q: Why are you involved in an alumni board or chapter?
I am grateful for the rich experiences I took from UMBC – both academic and social. The future of the University is bright and I’m excited to be helping to shape that.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support UMBC?
The seeds of success are all around us at UMBC. Our support helps our students transform those seeds into vibrant lives!

Q: What’s your all-time favorite movie quote, and from which movie is it?
“We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams” – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Q: What is the most recent book you’ve read?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (to my son).

Find out more about the UMBC Alumni Association!

Meet the Alumni Leadership: John Becker '01

Name: John Becker ‘01, information systems management
Employer: SigInt Technologies, LLC.
Alumni leadership role: Vice President of Operations for the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors
Q: Where are you from originally?
Annapolis, MD.
Q: What’s your favorite UMBC memory?
Ahhh… Watching George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars at Quad Mania my freshman year.
Q: Why are you involved in an alumni board or chapter?
I am grateful for the rich experiences I took from UMBC – both academic and social. The future of the University is bright and I’m excited to be helping to shape that.
Q: Why do you think it’s important to support UMBC?
The seeds of success are all around us at UMBC. Our support helps our students transform those seeds into vibrant lives!
Q: What’s your all-time favorite movie quote, and from which movie is it?
“We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams” – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Q: What is the most recent book you’ve read?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (to my son).

Find out more about the UMBC Alumni Association!

Alums in the News: Ralby, Ordóñez, and Cradock

Here at UMBC, we take pride in what our alums accomplish after graduation. Take a moment to see which Retrievers have been on the move and making news!

Ebola-virus

Ian Ralby ’02, modern languages and linguistics, M.A., intercultural communications, writes about Ebola’s effect on organized crime in West Africa. The impact of Ebola has dramatically slowed down, and even stopped, criminal activity throughout the region. Although there is an ironically positive affect of Ebola, there are various negatives as well. For example, illegal fishing because of the “infected” waters. Read more on Ebola’s effect on organized crime.

 

patti

Computer science was not always considered a man’s profession. In fact, many of the pioneering computer scientists were women. But during the 1980s, that changed. In this piece by NPR,  Patricia Ordóñez ’10 M.S. and ’12 Ph.D., computer science, discusses her experience as a woman studying computer science. She explains that when desktops were introduced for use in the home, it caused a shift because these “toys” were more often purchased for boys than girls. Read the full story.

 

 

chad cradock

UMBC’s Chad Cradock ’97, psychology, recently celebrated his 200th Career Win at CCSA North Invite, a home swimming meet. This has also made Cradock the leading coach in history for wins in the program, surpassing Sid Burkot. “It is a pleasure for a milestone like this to occur at home,” said Cradock. “I am proud to work with talented athletes both in the past and the present for their spirit of hard work and upholding UMBC tradition.” Read the full article.

 

 

Have a story of your own to share? Submit a class note.

Alums in the News: Booker-Wilkens, Suess, Adams, and Nevins

Here at UMBC, we take pride in what our alums accomplish after graduation. Take a moment to see which Retrievers have been on the move and making news!

dt.common.streams.StreamServer

Melody Booker-Wilkens ’86, political science, was recently named Economic Development director for Sussex County, Delaware. In this role, she will work with private partners to help current employers and seek to bring new job creators to Southern Delaware. Chosen from more than 20 applicants, Wilkens has more than 25 years of experience working in the private and public sector. Read more about her new role.

 

 

twitter

UMBC’s Chief Information officer, Jack Suess ’81, mathematics, ’95 M.S., operations analysis, recently participated in panel at the Educause 2014 conference. He and other CIOs weighed the pros and cons of social media in a professional work environment and, particularly, its role within an information technology department. See what Suess and the other panelists had to say.

 

 

jerome adams

Jerome Adams (M4) ’97, biochemistry and molecular biology, was recently appointed as Commissioner for the Indiana State Department of Health. Adams has been working in the medical field for several years now with experience teaching and is involved in various professional organizations as well as having done research under Nobel Prize winner Dr. Tom Cech. “His public service and academic achievements make Dr. Jerome Adams the ideal candidate to serve in this role,” said Indiana Governor Mike Pence of the appointment. Read more.

 

Nevins

Every two years the Vermont Historical Society awards the Cate Fellowship to support research for Vermont history. This year the award was given to Susan Nevins ’86, modern languages and linguistics, and ’91 M.A., instructional development systems. This award will help support her research on the Lyndes family, a black Revolutionary War veteran who made a life in Central Vermont. Full article.

 

 

Have a story of your own to share? Submit a class note.

Pres. Hrabowski Reveals What College Means to Him in CollegeBound Video

The CollegeBound Foundation kicked off their “What College Means to Me” series with a video featuring President Hrabowski. The CollegeBound Foundation works in Baltimore City and encourages students to attend college.

The video followed Dr. Hrabowski around campus as he discussed what he learned in college. “College taught me… to think independently and to figure out what I really believed and what was important to me in life,” he said.

Dr. Hrabowski also counseled students who are unfamiliar with postsecondary education to visit a college campus and see themselves there. “I want you to believe in yourself,” he encouraged. “Nothing is more important than your belief in yourself.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5cpDhW6BbY?list=UU0dAep4HWFF4bYEIvKjI5GA]

Janet Rutledge, Graduate School, Elected to Council of Graduate Schools Board of Directors

JR deskJanet Rutledge, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School, was elected to the Council of Graduate Schools Board of Directors this week. The Council of Graduate School (CGS) is the only national organization dedicated to advancing graduate education and research and serves as a voice for the graduate dean community.

“I am honored to join the Board of Directors of the Council of Graduate Schools,” Rutledge said. “UMBC has participated in several of the CGS best practices projects such as the Ph.D. Completion Project, the Doctoral Initiative on Minority Attrition and Completion, and the TIAA-CREF Enhancing Student Financial Education project.  I look forward to working with other graduate leaders and stakeholders to support graduate education and, by extension, our society as a whole.”

Rutledge will begin serving on the CGS board in January. She has been  the vice provost and dean of The Graduate School at UMBC since 2009 and serves on multiple boards, including the Board of Trustees at her undergraduate alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the Advisory Committee to the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Minority Ph.D. program. Rutledge was also appointed to her second term on the GRE Board, where she is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Click here to read more about UMBC’s participation with CGS.

Manil Suri, Mathematics, Writes New York Times Op-Ed

On Tuesday, November 4, The New York Times published an op-ed written by Mathematics Professor Manil Suri that urges India’s government to see discrimination as both an economic and moral problem.

ManilSuriHeadShot

In the column, Suri writes about Apple CEO Tim Cook’s coming-out essay in Bloomberg Businessweek and an unidentified 32-year-old engineer for the Indian software company Infosys, who as Suri writes, “faces a much bleaker future,” than Cook. Cook’s essay established him as the first openly gay C.E.O. of a Fortune 500 company. “The announcement generated considerable optimism that with his influence and visibility he would be a force for far-reaching advocacy in years to come,” Suri wrote. The 32-year-old Indian man was arrested under Section 377 of India’s penal code, which makes homosexual conduct punishable by prison.

“If India wants to become a true global powerhouse, its government should begin to see discrimination as an economic problem, as well as a moral one,” Suri writes. “Mr. Cook has characterized writing his essay as laying a brick for justice. Now we need political leaders bold enough to lay the rest of the path, so that millions of others like him can normalize their lives and explore their full potential.”

To read the full column titled “Exposing the ‘Bagalore Techie,'” click here.

Anne Rubin, History, Publishes Through the Heart of Dixie: Sherman’s March and American Memory

Through the Heart of DixieAnne Rubin, an associate professor of history, has been presenting a series of talks throughout the fall while on sabbatical. She has been discussing her new book, Through the Heart of Dixie: Sherman’s March and American Memory (UNC Press 2014). In the book, Rubin analyzes stories and myths about Sherman’s March, one of the most symbolically potent events of the Civil War, as a lens for examining how Americans’ ways of thinking about the Civil War have changed over time.

Rubin is scheduled to appear on WYPR’s Humanities Connection on November 27 to discuss her interactive online storytelling project, “Mapping Memory: Digitizing Sherman’s March to the Sea.” She will also be presenting a Humanities Forum event at UMBC on December 2 discussing her work. For more information, click here. Earlier in the fall, Rubin was quoted in a Washington Post article about Sherman’s March and provided insight on Sherman’s strategy. To read the full article, click here.

A complete list of talks presented by Rubin can be found below:

September
18-21: Flair Symposium in Austin, TX
23: Atlanta History Center

October
12: Southern Festival of the Book
20: Talk at George Mason University
22: Talk at Villanova University

November
1: Reading at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C.
7: Talk in Augusta, GA
12: Talk in Milledgeville, GA
13-16: Southern Historical Association in Atlanta

December
2: Talk at UMBC
9: Filson Historical Society, Louisville

January
21: Talk at UT Chattanooga

February
16-17: Conference on Sherman in Columbia, SC

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