Making a positive mark on society is part of the lifelong drive for graduates of UMBC’s Shriver Peaceworker Fellows Program — so when we found out that the program’s 2011 cohort made (and fulfilled) a pledge for 100% giving to UMBC, we were obviously excited, but not a bit surprised! Program director Joby Taylor ’05, Ph.D., LLC, shared news recently that the six members of the Class of 2011 achieved their participation goal, donating $650 to support the purchase of “books and resources for both the Fall and Spring Pracs this year for all 14 of our current Fellows!” This… Continue Reading Peaceworker Grads Give Back
Members of the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors celebrated recipients of this year’s Alumni Association Scholarships last week at UMBC’s annual Scholarship Luncheon. The event, which drew more than 100 donors and student scholars, is often the first time donors meet their scholars, making it a truly memorable event. Board president Bennett Moe ’88, and members Thomas Spratt ’95, Anita Jackson ’80 and Cathy Bielawski ’77 greeted two of this year’s Alumni Association Scholarship winners Kate Hunsicker ’14, English and dance, and Micaela A. Perez Ferrero ’13, political science. Read more about the Scholarship Luncheon here.
Thank you to all of the wonderful donors and scholarship students who came out for last week’s 2nd annual Scholarship Luncheon, March 13. Often, this event marks the first meeting of donors and their scholars, making it a truly memorable occasion for all. The event drew more than 100 guests, and featured remarks by McCormick & Company President Alan D. Wilson and senior Nia N. Hampton ’14, media and communications studies, who is the recipient of a number of scholarships at UMBC, along with UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III. We’ll be sharing stories of connections made at the luncheon… Continue Reading SLIDESHOW: 2013 Scholarship Luncheon
Ryan Bloom ’03, visual and performing arts, an English lecturer at UMBC, was recently awarded a fellowship at Yaddo, an artists’ community in Saratoga Springs, New York. Yaddo’s mission is to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment. Bloom is an internationally-recognized translator of Albert Camus. He received his MFA from The American University in Washington, D.C., where he undertook a multidisciplinary study of Literary Translation, Fiction, and Composition Education. His work-translation, fiction, poetry, and nonfiction-has appeared in places such as The New Yorker, The Arabesques Review, The Baltimore Sun,… Continue Reading Bloom ’03, VPA, Awarded Writing Fellowship
Following a successful run on the internationally-ranked UMBC chess team, Ian Harris ’11, psychology, is making a career of the strategic game in his home state of Connecticut, the Norwalk Hour online reports. Harris, who is ranked a national master by the United States Chess Federation and 7th in Connecticut, is working as an instructor at the Chess Club of Fairfield County, the story says. He has also co-authored a book, “Mastering Chess,” which is set to publish sometime next month. On the topic of sharing his chess secrets with a new generation, Harris tells the Hour: “I think a… Continue Reading Chess Player Harris ’11, Psych, Teaching and Writing Book
It’s all too easy to take successes for granted, especially when you see them every day around campus. At UMBC, the concept of pushing students of all backgrounds and academic levels to succeed is such a part of campus culture, we sometimes forget that’s not necessarily standard practice at other schools. So when UMBC President Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III, challenged audiences at the TED2013 conference in California last month to set higher expectations for all students at all levels of education, we were delighted — but not at all surprised. During his session — which fell within a grouping of… Continue Reading Hrabowski at TED: Set High Expectations for Students
Every so often, we’ll chat with an alum about what they do and how they got there. Today, we’re talking with Peter Wood ’06, theatre, a magician whose new show, Timeless Deceptions, opens next month in Columbia, MD. Read more about how he and his brother, Matt, a current UMBC student, are living out a dream that started on Peter’s fifth birthday… Name: Peter Wood ’06, theatre Job: Corporate Magician Company: Shazam Magic Websites: http://shazammagic.com or http://TimelessDeceptions.com/tickets Q: In a few words, describe the type of magic you do. Would your work remind us of any particular magicians we’ve… Continue Reading Career Q&A: Magician Peter Wood ’06, Theatre
Associated Black Charities CEO Diane Bell-McKoy ’73, sociology, has recently been featured in Essence magazine and the Baltimore Business Journal, her foundation reported. In the March issue of Essence magazine, Bell-McKoy is one of several women to discuss the effects depression can have on black women. In the first-person piece, she tells Essence: “For Black women who suffer from depression, racism is a real challenge, like a slap in the face you experience day in and day out.” The Baltimore Business Journal story focuses on the fact that the majority of Baltimore city non-profit board positions are primarily filled with white… Continue Reading Bell-McKoy ’73, Soc, In Essence, BBJ
Over the last 20 years, Eastern Shore tattoo artist Todd “Noble” Holloway ’92, visual and performing arts, has made a name for himself as a businessman — and a permanent impression on his customers and the tattoo community. In a recent story on DelmarvaNow.com, the Salisbury native describes a career pathway that lead him to ultimately opening his own tattoo parlor, Right Coast Tattoo in Fenwick Island. As he told DelmarvaNow: “I didn’t really know the realm of tattooing until I started, but once I really got into, it I found that it’s all-encompassing and from there I focused on… Continue Reading Tattoo Artist Holloway ’92, VPA, in DelmarvaNow
Name: Kate Hunsicker ’14 Majors: English and Dance Scholarships: Alumni Association Scholarship (Legacy), Senatorial Scholarship, UMBC scholarship Q: Why did you decide to attend UMBC? A: I decided to come to UMBC because this school was able to offer me everything that I wanted. I wanted a mid-sized campus, in-state and not too far from home, where I could major in both Dance and English. My dad, uncle, and older brother all went to UMBC, so I knew that it was a great school and that I would be happy in the community life here. Q: What has been the… Continue Reading Student Scholarship Q&A: Kate Hunsicker ’14, English and Dance
Brendan Mundorf ’07 is one of the world’s best (and toughest) lacrosse players. Now he’s bouncing back from an injury to pursue a professional championship. By Jeff Seidel ’85 Brendan Mundorf ’07, sociology, still smiles when he remembers his first lacrosse stick: a beautiful blue STX Hi-Wall. The stick was a gift from his grandmother, given to the two-year-old Mundorf after a trip to see his Uncle Matt play for Mount St. Mary’s lacrosse team. He used it practically non-stop in all kinds of weather, shooting balls at a goal or the side of his grandparents’ shed. The future UMBC… Continue Reading Behind the Mask
Karsonya “Kaye” Whitehead ’09, Ph.D. LLC, was one of four experts chosen nationwide to speak on the White House’s Black History Month panel held this month. C0-sponsored by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the event tackled the topic “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington.” Whitehead is an assistant professor of communication and affiliate assistant professor of African and African American history at Loyola University Maryland. She told Loyola’s news group: “It’s difficult for me to express in words how honored I am to have been… Continue Reading Whitehead ’09, Ph.D. LLC, on White House Panel
