“The Art and Science of Research” When Kevin Griffith came to UMBC for a masterÂ’s in 1996, he didnÂ’t expect to stay for another six years. But after completing the one-year program in Applied Molecular Biology (AMB), which prepares students for high-level technical positions in the biotechnology industry, Griffith was hooked on research and entered UMBCÂ’s Molecular and Cell Biology doctoral program. (The MOCB Ph.D. program was designed in part with such students in mind, since the AMB program fulfills many of the course requirements.)“Research is challenging,” says Griffith, “yet very rewarding.” In addition to the challenge, Griffith also likes the… Continue Reading The Art and Science of Research
“The Dynamics of International Terrorism” For some students, summer session is traditionally a time for “lighter” coursework. But since the events of September 11, a course taught by political science professor and terrorism expert John Munro has students filling up the classroom and poring through books like Holy War, Inc. and Who Becomes a Terrorist and Why in an effort to better understand what has become the most important topic of our times.Munro teaches “Dynamics of International Terrorism: National Policy Responses and Evolving Challenges.” He originally conceived the course to focus on domestic terror like the Oklahoma City bombing and the… Continue Reading The Dynamics of International Terrorism
“A New Approach to Teaching” Phillip Sokolove, professor of biological sciences, took time out from his own successful research to investigate ways to improve student learning. Based on his reputation as an outstanding teacher, Sokolove was invited to become UMBCÂ’s representative in the Maryland Collaborative for Teacher Preparation, funded by the National Science Foundation. The goal was to develop a new approach to pre-service teaching training in science and mathematics that would produce teachers prepared to implement new best-practice teaching methods in upper elementary and middle school classrooms in Maryland.With help and guidance from Susan Blunck in the education department, Sokolove… Continue Reading A New Approach to Teaching
“Close to Home”Rich Sponaugle ’95 and ’97, B.S. and M.S. information systems, has come full circle. He is an instructor and the undergraduate program director for UMBC’s information systems program at the Shady Grove Center. The Universities at Shady Grove brings programs from eight universities in the University System of Maryland to the center in Rockville, Md. UMBC offers daytime, upper division classes at Shady Grove that lead to bachelor’s degrees in information systems and social work.UMBC’s programs at Shady Grove offer transfer students, many of whom have earned associate’s degrees at Montgomery College, an opportunity to attain their educational… Continue Reading Close to Home
“A Master Teacher” Professor of American Studies Edward OrserÂ’s dedication to teaching always leaves an impression on his students. “He is the kind of teacher you want to do your best for. He is not only a role model for those who one day wish to teach, he also is an exemplar of what a teacher could and should be,” says alumna Donna Neutze.A member of the faculty since 1969 and a 1998 UMBC Presidential Teaching Professor, Orser was recently recognized with a RegentÂ’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. He credits his teaching with contributing in important ways to his… Continue Reading A Master Teacher
“A Passion for Service” What do Idaho, Mozambique and UMBC all have in common? They all have played a vital role in the life of Victoria Vargas, a member of the Shriver Peaceworker Program, established by UMBCÂ’s Shriver Center.Born and raised in Twin Falls, Idaho, Vargas is the daughter of a migrant farm worker who believed that success for his eight children would come through hard work and a commitment to education. She has always had a passion for service and in 1998 she was accepted in the Peace Corps and traveled to Mozambique, where she taught English to eighth graders.… Continue Reading A Passion for Service
 Pictured left to right: Sarah Cassel (Cobweb), Sarah Painter (Moth) and Jillian Byrnes (Peablossom) from the Maryland Stage Company production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. “Bringing New Insights to the Stage”  The Maryland Stage Company (MSC) has gained renown—not just in the United States, but also in Europe—for its unique and elegant blend of theatrical stagecraft and research. Founded in 1987 by its artistic director and professor of theatre, Xerxes Mehta, the Maryland Stage Company is the professional resident theatre company at UMBC. It has been called “the UMBC miracle” by TheaterWeek magazine, and in 2000, during one… Continue Reading Bringing New Insights to the Stage
“Learning Success” As the Internet, distance education and eLearning change todayÂ’s workplace, professionals who decide to incorporate new skills or change careers find UMBCÂ’s M.A. in Instructional Systems Development helps them meet their goals. Todd Brace, a current student in the program and a training manager for Provident Bank, has added new techniques to his many years of experience in training and human performance development. Brace actively got into the field of workforce development and training by creating, delivering and ultimately managing a variety of federally funded job training programs throughout Maryland through the community college system. From hot dog… Continue Reading Learning Success
“From UMBC to Oxford University”Nieshia Williams, a Meyerhoff scholar graduating with a B.A. in chemistry, is headed to Oxford University (UK) for graduate studies as a National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge scholar. A native of Ft. Washington, MD, Williams is one of only a handful of U.S. undergraduates chosen to participate in this prestigious Ph.D. program. She will have an opportunity to work at both the NIH and Oxford and will be co-mentored by a research investigator at NIH and a faculty member at University of Oxford who work together on a collaborative project in which Williams will carry out her… Continue Reading From UMBC to Oxford
/a> “UMBC Valedictorian Ian Stucky” Ian Stucky, a 19-year-old UMBC Humanities Scholar, began his studies at UMBC at age 16 and is graduating this year with a B.A. in Modern Languages and Linguistics (German and Spanish) and an M.A. in Intercultural Communication. The 19-year-old is one of the first recipients of the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship. Worth approximately $50,000 per year, the scholarship is considered the most generous award of its kind in the U.S. One of only fifty recipients chosen from an applicant pool of nearly 700 students, Stucky will attend the William and Mary School of Law next… Continue Reading UMBC 2002 Valedictorian Ian Stucky
“AIRS Takes to the Sky”At 2:55 a.m. Pacific time on May 4, the world’s understanding of the mystery of global climate change and the art of improved weather prediction took a great leap forward, thanks in part to the ingenuity of a team of researchers led by UMBC Professor of Physics Larrabee Strow.As AQUA, NASA’s latest Earth observing satellite, successfully launched from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, it carried the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), a “Cadillac” of satellite instrumentation developed in part by Strow’s seven-person research group, the Atmospheric Spectroscopy Laboratory.AIRS’ job is to take the most accurate measurements to… Continue Reading AIRS Takes to the Sky
“Making Meaning Move”In UMBC’s dance department, students engage in research by developing their own choreographic work—with the studio as their laboratory—both on campus and at dance festivals across the country.Dance major Jenafer Herling is one of approximately 50 undergraduates who will present research at the Sixth Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day on April 17 (Graduate Research Day is April 19). She will discuss the creation of Picking Up the Pieces, which she choreographed after participating in the Bates Dance Festival last summer. At the festival, she had the opportunity to work with noted choreographers Liz Lerman and Nancy… Continue Reading Making Meaning Move
