When Mabrooka Chaudhry immigrated to the United States from Pakistan in 1982 at the age of nine, she didn’t speak a word of English. Twenty-five years later, she exemplifies the American dream. A U.S. history and world religions teacher in Howard County, Chaudhry recently was honored as a recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educators Award, which rewards public school teachers who have demonstrated superior educational talent and long-range leadership potential. “It’s a very humbling thing,” said Chaudhry, who received the honor at the end of last semester in a surprise presentation by state schools superintendent Nancy Grasmick. “It’s… Continue Reading A Strong Role Model: Mabrooka Chaudhry '95
Just outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Adam Driscoll ’04 stopped his bike to check his blood sugar levels. His teammate, Patrick Blair ’03 waited patiently to continue their journey. Snowy mountain peaks filled the skyline. During the summer of 2006, while many people were vacationing, Driscoll, a type 1 diabetic, and former UMBC track team members Blair and Jesse Stump ’06, mechanical engineering, spent their free time riding their bikes across the country to raise money for a school in Africa. Building on that success, Driscoll and Blair last year founded Adventures for the Cure, raising more than $45,000 for a… Continue Reading Adventures for the Cure: Adam Driscoll '04 and Patrick Blair '03
Just outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Adam Driscoll ’04 stopped his bike to check his blood sugar levels. His teammate, Patrick Blair ’03 waited patiently to continue their journey. Snowy mountain peaks filled the skyline. During the summer of 2006, while many people were vacationing, Driscoll, a type 1 diabetic, and former UMBC track team members Blair and Jesse Stump ’06, mechanical engineering, spent their free time riding their bikes across the country to raise money for a school in Africa. Building on that success, Driscoll and Blair last year founded Adventures for the Cure, raising more than $45,000 for a… Continue Reading Adventures for the Cure: Adam Driscoll ’04 and Patrick Blair ’03
Even as a student at UMBC, Kara Lee Corthron ’99, theatre, looked to the intricacies of human emotion to drive her writing. Now established as one of theatre’s most promising playwrights, Corthron recently returned to UMBC from the stages of New York, Chicago and D.C. to share her love of theater with current students as they performed her new play, Wild Black-Eyed Susans, during UMBC’s Homecoming & Family Celebration weekend. Early Recognition Over the last few years, Corthron has racked up an impressive list of honors for her work. Her new play, Wild Black-Eyed Susans, received the 2007 Helen Merrill… Continue Reading A Playwright in Bloom: Kara Lee Corthron ’99
Even as a student at UMBC, Kara Lee Corthron ’99, theatre, looked to the intricacies of human emotion to drive her writing. Now established as one of theatre’s most promising playwrights, Corthron recently returned to UMBC from the stages of New York, Chicago and D.C. to share her love of theater with current students as they performed her new play, Wild Black-Eyed Susans, during UMBC’s Homecoming & Family Celebration weekend. Early Recognition Over the last few years, Corthron has racked up an impressive list of honors for her work. Her new play, Wild Black-Eyed Susans, received the 2007 Helen Merrill… Continue Reading A Playwright in Bloom: Kara Lee Corthron '99
Shari Elliker is one to talk. About true crime. About traffic. About movies and people and beer and whatever new and interesting tidbits pop up on her radar. And people are listening. As host of “The Shari Elliker Show” on WBAL morning radio and one of three on “Broadminded,” an XM Radio program described as “Sex & the City Meets the 3 Stooges,” the actress and radio personality has learned to truly enjoy the ups and downs of live broadcasting. “When you’re live, you’re working without a net,” she said. “You’ve got to hope for the best and hope that… Continue Reading “Broadminded” and Loving It: Shari Elliker ’83
Shari Elliker is one to talk. About true crime. About traffic. About movies and people and beer and whatever new and interesting tidbits pop up on her radar. And people are listening. As host of “The Shari Elliker Show” on WBAL morning radio and one of three on “Broadminded,” an XM Radio program described as “Sex & the City Meets the 3 Stooges,” the actress and radio personality has learned to truly enjoy the ups and downs of live broadcasting. “When you’re live, you’re working without a net,” she said. “You’ve got to hope for the best and hope that… Continue Reading “Broadminded” and Loving It: Shari Elliker '83
Kevin Mulroe is the type of teacher who would travel to the ends of the earth for his students. Literally. A teacher of gifted and talented students in Howard County, Mulroe ’98, M.A., instructional systems development, was one of just 16 teachers from across the country to receive a Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship, enabling him to spend six weeks this summer exploring India in the name of education. Throughout his journey, Mulroe visited 23 different schools and learned a lot about what works – and what doesn’t – in math and science education. “This falls into the category of ‘lifetime experiences.’ One… Continue Reading A Global Perspective: Kevin Mulroe '98, M.A.
Kevin Mulroe is the type of teacher who would travel to the ends of the earth for his students. Literally. A teacher of gifted and talented students in Howard County, Mulroe ’98, M.A., instructional systems development, was one of just 16 teachers from across the country to receive a Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship, enabling him to spend six weeks this summer exploring India in the name of education. Throughout his journey, Mulroe visited 23 different schools and learned a lot about what works – and what doesn’t – in math and science education. “This falls into the category of ‘lifetime experiences.’ One… Continue Reading A Global Perspective: Kevin Mulroe ’98, M.A.
Like so many times in his life before, Ric Ryder moved to the edge of the stage. The lights came up, and a round of applause sounded throughout the audience. Instead of bowing, however, the Broadway veteran took a step back and clapped along with the crowd for a student named Michael, who just sang 16 bars of “Why Should I Wake Up?” from the musical Cabaret for the second time. “With only 16 bars, you want to end that BIG,” said Ryder, who taught a one-day master class in vocal performance at UMBC last semester. “Let the voice do… Continue Reading All That Jazz: Ric Ryder ’84
Like so many times in his life before, Ric Ryder moved to the edge of the stage. The lights came up, and a round of applause sounded throughout the audience. Instead of bowing, however, the Broadway veteran took a step back and clapped along with the crowd for a student named Michael, who just sang 16 bars of “Why Should I Wake Up?” from the musical Cabaret for the second time. “With only 16 bars, you want to end that BIG,” said Ryder, who taught a one-day master class in vocal performance at UMBC last semester. “Let the voice do… Continue Reading All That Jazz: Ric Ryder '84
For anyone with anything less than a “half-full” attitude about the potential for positive social change, Diane Bell McKoy has one unwavering response. “Challenges are just opportunities,” said the 1973 sociology graduate, who serves as president and CEO of Associated Black Charities, a Baltimore non-profit devoted to making African-American individuals and families economically self-sufficient. She is also a member of UMBC’s Alex. Brown Entrepreneurship Center Advisory Board. “I love challenges, as it relates to improving outcomes within the community,” said Bell McKoy, who is organizing a major gala in June to support ABC’s efforts. “I am hooked on trying to… Continue Reading Striving for Social Change: Diane Bell McKoy ’73
