Impact

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

From time to time, we’ll interview donors who are making a difference at UMBC. Today, we’re talking with Ira Steven Allen ’81, biological sciences, and Elizabeth Ward Allen ’82, political science, who fell in love with track and field — and each other! — during their time together as students. The couple established the C. James Pfrogner Endowment April 1998 (and amended in March 2002) to honor their former coach and support both the men’s and women’s track and field programs at UMBC.  * * * * Q:  What made you decide to make your planned gift to UMBC, and… Continue Reading Donor Q&A: Ira ’81 and Elizabeth Allen ’82

UMBC professor Dr. Tim Oates has been named an Oros Family Professor in Computer Science and Technology. The five-year endowed professorship will fund Dr. Oates’ newly proposed research project in the area of mobile healthcare. Read more about endowed professorships at UMBC here. A professor of computer science and electrical engineering, Dr. Oates is principal investigator in UMBC’s Cognition, Robotics and Learning (CoRaL) Lab, where he pursues research in the broad areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and natural language processing. “I was delighted to recommend Dr. James T. Oates’ appointment as Oros Family Professor in Computer Science and… Continue Reading Oates Named Oros Family Professor in Comp Sci and Technology

The donor roll for FY12 — which covers giving from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 — is now available online. In addition to a listing of all donors, the donor roll also includes listings of: The Hilltop Society The 1966 Society Consecutive Years of Giving (5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20+) 1st Time Donors Thank you to everyone who supported UMBC in FY12! View the donor roll here.

As we’ve mentioned many times before on this blog, philanthropy is intensely personal. Which is why the story behind the naming gift made by Todd Carton ’77, interdisciplinary studies, is especially touching; the gift honors his late brother. Carton has always been interested in the arts, as was his brother, so when he heard about the new Performing Arts and Humanities Building at UMBC, he was eager to see the space students from all disciplines would be able to be touched by the arts. His gift — the naming of the building’s new box office — will not only help… Continue Reading VIDEO – Portraits of Giving: Todd Carton ’77, INDS

Name: Micaela A. Perez Ferrero ’13 Major:  Political Science Scholarships: Alumni Association Scholarship, Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, The Shattuck Family Entrepreneurial Scholars Program, and The UMBC Political Science Department Q:  How important is it for you to have received these scholarships? A:  Without scholarships, I would not be at UMBC. Scholarships have not only allowed me to attend a 4 year university, but it also allowed me to attend UMBC. Scholarships have given me the opportunity to achieve my goals and dreams, and I am sincerely grateful for all those who have contributed to each of my scholarships. Q:… Continue Reading Student Scholarship Q&A: Micaela A. Perez Ferrero ’13

Name: Savita Moses ’13 Major:  Information Systems Scholarship: Alumni Association Scholarship Q:  Why did you decide to come to UMBC? A:  I was a part of a Pre-College Program offered by University of Maryland, College Park and we went on many college tours throughout the area. UMBC was one of the places we visited and toured. I fell in love with the campus as soon as I stepped onto it; I felt right at home. I had some friends that went here, so I began researching the university and talking to them about it. It seemed like everything I wanted… Continue Reading Student Scholarship Q&A: Savita Moses ’13

Volunteerism is a wonderful way of showing you care. And UMBC’s students care A LOT about their community, if this post on UMBC’s Breaking Ground site is any indication: -Watch videos about UMBC’s upcoming Alternative School Break 2013 Among the projects planned for spring 2013: Working with the ARC of Carroll County; Looking at life through the eyes of a refugee; Helping Baltimore city’s homeless population; Even implementing health care teachings a la Patch Adams (see above). As Kayla Keelan, graduate coordinator for service in UMBC’s Office of Student Life, explains, “This program, built around service, critical thinking and reflection,… Continue Reading VIDEO: Alternate School Break Lets Students Give Back

Attending college these days is expensive. You’ve got tuition, room and board, books and computers to buy — and that’s not even counting late night pizza runs! Even at a state school like UMBC, students find themselves struggling to keep up with bills. In Fall 2011, for example, 62% of undergraduate students applied for financial aid; 80% of those demonstrated some level of financial need. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid was 60%. You don’t need to be a math genius to see that many students still need our… Continue Reading Online Tool: Calculate the Cost of a Semester