Alumni

Alex Onischuk ’07, modern languages and linguistics, was named the director of Texas Tech University’s chess program on July 30th, according to an article in The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. The Ukraine-born grandmaster was captain of UMBC’s chess team during a period in which the team won four consecutive national championships, from 2002 to 2006. Texas Tech’s team are also champions, winning the President’s Cup for the second consecutive year this year. Onischuk, currently ranked third in the country among chess players, released a statement saying, “I am thrilled to be selected as head coach of the defending national collegiate championship chess team at Texas Tech,… Continue Reading Onischuk '07, MLL, Named Director of Texas Tech Chess Program

The Homecoming Communications Committee is looking for alumni, faculty and staff to answer this question for a fun (and hopefully FUNNY) video to help promote campus interest in Retriever Fever: UMBC Homecoming 2012, October 10-13, 2012. Maybe you love school spirit (Go Dawgs!). Maybe you’re a huge Ira Glass fan (He’s our special guest!!). Perhaps it’s the all-you-can-eat crabs (Mmmmm…crabs.). Be creative…we want a little bit of everything, and we’d love to represent as many campus groups as possible. Swing by our video taping and let us know why YOU are pumped for Homecoming! Time commitment = 5-10 minutes, tops.… Continue Reading Video Project: Why are YOU pumped for Homecoming?

Former UMBC track and field standout and NCAA champion Cleopatra Borel ’02, INDS, is competing in her third Olympic Games for her native Trinidad and Tobago, once again in the shot put. Borel placed 17th in 2008 in Beijing after finishing in 10th at the 2004 Games in Athens. “We are very proud of Cleopatra and all that she has accomplished in her career,” said UMBC head track and field coach David Bobb ’02, health administration and policy. “We wish her the absolute best as she continues to represent Trinidad and Tobago and UMBC is the best possible way.” The… Continue Reading Borel '02, INDS, to Compete in Her Third Olympics

To UMBC’s alumni: I am delighted to share the news that Freeman Hrabowski has been appointed by President Obama to chair the newly created President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. The announcement was made by the White House Thursday afternoon. The Commission will advise President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan and will work closely with the newly formed White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.  The Commission will also lead a national dialogue – engaging the business, philanthropic, nonprofit, and education communities – on African American achievement from early childhood through adulthood. UMBC’s success… Continue Reading President Obama Appoints UMBC President as Chair of National Education Commission

Five alumni will perform a chamber music concert at UMBC this month to benefit a Baltimore program that provides music lessons to inner-city youth. The show, to be held in the UMBC Fine Arts Recital Hall on July 28 at 3:30 p.m., will feature the following alumni musicians as they take on works by Haydn, Schoenfield and Dvořák: music majors Rachele Sills ’07, Erin Terwilliger ’09, Ryan Bridgland ’06, Stefanie Watson ’05, and Winnie Nham ’09, political science. “Music has played an important role for us throughout our lives, and we believe that every student should be afforded the opportunity to learn… Continue Reading Alumni To Play Chamber Concert at UMBC to Benefit Young Musicians

On July 13, alumnus George Derek Musgrove ’97, history, and new addition to UMBC’s history faculty, was a guest on the NPR radio show “Tell Me More,” where he spoke with guest host Maria Hinojosa about the history of government investigations into African-American politicians. Listen to the interview here. Musgrove is the author of Rumor, Repression, and Racial Politics, and spoke of his investigations into the increasing numbers of legal investigations of black elected officials from the 1960s and 1970s onward, or what he calls “harassment ideology.” “When I sat down to a study of post-Civil Rights Era black politics when I first entered graduate… Continue Reading Musgrove '97, History, Appears on NPR's “Tell Me More”

Stephanie Archer-Smith ’85, developmental psychology, was recently named the executive director for Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. “We are delighted to be able to hire someone as experienced and capable as Stephanie to lead Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland,” said board president Jonathan Wachs.  “She is well-qualified for the post, and her strengths and abilities are tailor-made to lead our organization into the next phase of growth and sustainability.” Archer-Smith, who received a graduate degree at the University of Baltimore, has served as senior vice president of operations for St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore for the past… Continue Reading Archer-Smith '85, Psych, New Director of Local Meals on Wheels