Alumni

A Playwright in Bloom: Kara Lee Corthron '99

/ 3 minutes of reading

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

A Playwright in Bloom: Kara Lee Corthron ’99

/ 3 minutes of reading

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

“Broadminded” and Loving It: Shari Elliker '83

/ 4 minutes of reading

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

“Broadminded” and Loving It: Shari Elliker ’83

/ 4 minutes of reading

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

A Global Perspective: Kevin Mulroe '98, M.A.

/ 3 minutes of reading

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.

A Global Perspective: Kevin Mulroe ’98, M.A.

/ 3 minutes of reading

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.

All That Jazz: Ric Ryder '84

/ 3 minutes of reading

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

All That Jazz: Ric Ryder ’84

/ 3 minutes of reading

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

Striving for Social Change: Diane Bell McKoy ’73

/ 4 minutes of reading

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

Striving for Social Change: Diane Bell McKoy '73

/ 4 minutes of reading

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

Sibling Revelry: The Hughes Family Five

/ 3 minutes of reading

For the Hughes family, nothing says “way of life” quite like the letters “UMBC.” Over the course of three decades, five out of eight Hughes siblings – J. Barry ’71, history; Stephen ’76, economics; Kevin ’79, economics; Brian ’80, mathematics; and Maureen Hughes Shields ’85, American studies – worked their way through college, eventually earning the first college degrees in their family’s history. “The decision to attend UMBC was a no-brainer,” said J. Barry Hughes ’71, history, who currently serves as Judge of the Circuit Court for Carroll County. “Having the five of us live at home during college also… Continue Reading Sibling Revelry: The Hughes Family Five

To Protect and To Serve: Bob Garrity ’73

/ 3 minutes of reading

After more than 30 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bob Garrity has pretty much seen it all. He has traveled the country as an agent, worked on high profile cases, and helped to steer the organization into the highly-technical 21st century. It’s no wonder he’s still excited about the job after all these years. “I consider myself very fortunate in that even after 30 years of serving as a Special Agent, I still jump out of bed each morning and look forward to going to work,” said the 1973 sociology and psychology double-major graduate. “Like many FBI Agents,… Continue Reading To Protect and To Serve: Bob Garrity ’73

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