All posts by: Magazine Editor

After many months of filming on campus, “60 Minutes” featured UMBC on its program this past Sunday. What’s the bad news? It’s all too familiar: the United States continues to graduate too few students, particularly minorities, in science, technology, engineering, and math. The good news: “60 Minutes” focuses on UMBC as a place that gets it right.

We appreciate the recognition – but, more importantly, the opportunity to raise the visibility of this critical issue. View the full segment online here. A transcript is available here.

As you watch, you will see a well-executed production, not the months of taping, research, and editing. You certainly won’t see the messy outtakes. Transformation in higher education happens in much the same way. It’s a process, not a product. What started in 1988 with an idea for a select program for African-American males in science, math, and engineering – the Meyerhoff Scholars Program – has blossomed into a broad culture of student achievement at UMBC.

Lessons from the Meyerhoff program, for example, inspired scholars programs for undergraduates in the arts, humanities, public affairs, and teacher education. More recently, the Meyerhoff experience with group study informed course redesigns for first-year courses in science, engineering, and psychology. And, in turn, lessons from that initiative now have UMBC working to infuse active learning throughout its curriculum.

But these few examples aren’t the story. What we have worked toward over the past 25 years at UMBC is a culture that goes beyond “project mode” when it comes to improving undergraduate education.  More than a particular program, department, or initiative – we are an entire community that works relentlessly to improve the educational experience we provide.

Our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners have worked tirelessly, and often behind the scenes, to breathe life into that work. UMBC’s successes are your successes. Thank you for your continued support, and enjoy the spotlight!

Amanda Gunther is a writer for the Maryland Theatre Guide. According to Gunther, “writing for the Maryland Theatre Guide will give her a chance to pursue her passion of the theatre and will broaden her horizons in the writer’s field.” Here’s an excerpt from one of her most recent artciles:

“Watch out Washington! The fireworks aren’t in the sky but on the stage at the Prince George’s Little Theatre’s production of Born Yesterday written by Garson Kanin. A charismatic politically charged dramadey directed by Norma Ozur – the cast of Born Yesterdayreally drives their act home as they explode their politics and emotions all over the stage.”

Read the full article in the Maryland Theatre Guide.

Read more about UMBC alumni at Retriever Net, UMBC’s alumni online community.

Erick Sahler ’89 brings color and brightness to his work as a serigraph artist. Most recently, he has brought new life to Salisbury University’s Holloway Hall. From an article at delmarvanow.com:

The iconic facade of Holloway Hall is the subject of a limited-edition silkscreen print by serigraph artist Erick Sahler of Salisbury.

The 11-color image features the main entrance of the historic building — one of its doors invitingly open — surrounded by lush trees, colorful flowers and a bright blue sky.

Read the full article on delmarvanow.com.

Read more about UMBC alumni at Retriever Net, UMBC’s alumni online community.

Pete Eibner is enjoying his first year as the boys’ soccer coach at Perry Hall. From the full article in PressBox:

The Gators are 6-5 heading into the final week of the regular season, and Eibner could not be happier. Graduation took is toll on Perry Hall, which won the Baltimore County championship last year under Skelton with a 15-3 record, and reached the Class 4A state finals two of the last four years.

“It’s a very fertile soccer area,” Eibner said. “A lot of these kids have very bright futures. The freshmen who have come in with the eighth graders who are coming in next year want to be a part of what’s been happening here.”

Three former Gators are actually now playing for Eibner’s former team, the UMBC Retrievers: goalkeeper Phil Saunders, who played on the Baltimore Bays Under-19 national championship team this summer, forward-midfielder Joe Glos and fullback/midfielder Nick Liberto.

Read the full story in PressBox.

Read more about UMBC alumni at Retriever Net, UMBC’s alumni online community.