Impact

Junior Atom Zerfas is the quintessential UMBC scholarship student: overwhelmingly outgoing and incredibly involved. A double major in psychology and math, Zerfas is no slouch where academics are concerned — but he feels just as much at home on the playing field. Zerfas came to UMBC following his graduation from Pikesville High School in 2009. Immediately he jumped into the UMBC culture, joining the Student Events Board and Ultimate Frisbee team. In just two years, he became the Ultimate Frisbee president. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m just the president, I’m not the captain,” he explained modestly. Atom knew one thing… Continue Reading Scholarship Profile: Atom Zerfas ’13

Junior Atom Zerfas is the quintessential UMBC scholarship student: overwhelmingly outgoing and incredibly involved. A double major in psychology and math, Zerfas is no slouch where academics are concerned — but he feels just as much at home on the playing field. Zerfas came to UMBC following his graduation from Pikesville High School in 2009. Immediately he jumped into the UMBC culture, joining the Student Events Board and Ultimate Frisbee team. In just two years, he became the Ultimate Frisbee president. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m just the president, I’m not the captain,” he explained modestly. Atom knew one thing… Continue Reading Scholarship Profile: Atom Zerfas '13

There are so many ways to leave a legacy. By all accounts, over her many years at UMBC, Dr. Alice Robinson, a founding professor in theatre, left legacies in the broadened hearts and minds of countless students here. After her passing, her legacy lives on through a scholarship fund aimed at the very students she taught. (Click on the photo at right to enlarge the full piece in UMBC Magazine.) We are inspired by the gifts Dr. Robinson gave to UMBC. What will your legacy be?

We’re pleased to announce that UMBC’s giving site, Giving to UMBC, has been recognized by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. The site, which won a 2012 Region II silver medal in the Website: Fundraising/Development category, went live in fall 2010 and features a Tumblr account that clues you to daily campus happenings, a new blog on giving, donor and student stories, and plenty of chances to learn about the effects of philanthropy. You can even share your own giving experiences with the world. The latest issue of UMBC Magazine features a nice little piece about the… Continue Reading A Little Love From CASE

It’s 9 a.m., and the library is quiet, as libraries usually are, when Dr. Robert Burchard, professor emeritus of biological sciences, sits down to discuss his experience at UMBC and the reason he’s giving back to the place that’s been a second home to him for more than 40 years. In January of 1967, just a few short months after UMBC opened its doors, Dr. Burchard joined the faculty of the biological sciences department. He was young and fresh off a stint as a member of the Peace Corps in Nigeria. From one adventure to another, Dr. Burchard discovered himself… Continue Reading Dr. Robert Burchard Gives Back to His “Second Home”

It’s 9 a.m., and the library is quiet, as libraries usually are, when Dr. Robert Burchard, professor emeritus of biological sciences, sits down to discuss his experience at UMBC and the reason he’s giving back to the place that’s been a second home to him for more than 40 years. In January of 1967, just a few short months after UMBC opened its doors, Dr. Burchard joined the faculty of the biological sciences department. He was young and fresh off a stint as a member of the Peace Corps in Nigeria. From one adventure to another, Dr. Burchard discovered himself… Continue Reading Dr. Robert Burchard Gives Back to His “Second Home”

At one point in her life, Sheila Williams ’11 was homeless and separated from her children. But scholarships for mature female students at UMBC – funded by the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation – helped Williams obtain a sociology degree and begin a career dedicated to service. “Honestly, without my experiences here, I wouldn’t know how to serve them,” she says. “I know I would not have made it through without that support system.” Since 1981, The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation has provided scholarship funding for mature women students at UMBC. According to the Foundation, “[UMBC]’s commitment to academic excellence, its… Continue Reading Newcombe Scholarship Changes Lives

…just listen to UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski for a minute or two. We dare you to not be inspired to give back! (Click on image for video.)  

It may still be January, but UMBC’s students are already thinking ahead to Spring Break — and not for the reasons you may be thinking. UMBC’s Alternative Spring Break, which gives students a chance to band together and volunteer in a variety of settings, is as popular as ever this year. Among the trips planned for this March: ARC Trip (serving mentally and physically disabled individuals in Carroll County) Environmental Trip (emphasizing sustainable living in urban environments) Through the Eyes of a Refugee (focusing on the refugee population in Baltimore City) Animal Advocacy Trip (exploring animal rights and humane treatment… Continue Reading Thinking Spring: Students Give Back

We thought our Phonathon students said it best: Your support makes so much possible at UMBC. THANK YOU for your year-end gifts!

By Ashley Miller ’12, UMBC Athletic Communications Intern UMBC student-athletes are devoted to giving back to both the campus and neighboring community. These young men and women make significant contributions to society as often as they can. Teams as well as individual student-athletes are involved in numerous charity and community organizations. “UMBC Athletics is proud of the work our student-athletes do in the community,” said Kelly Fahey ’07, coordinator of student-athlete affairs at UMBC. “We are excited to further develop our relationships with the surrounding community and our partnerships with local organizations.” This fall has been a busy semester for… Continue Reading UMBC Student-Athletes Give Back to the Community

Three students were awarded the Second Generation Scholarship on November 9 during the W.E.B. DuBois Lecture featuring speaker Carla L. Peterson of the University of Maryland College Park. The annual lecture is sponsored by the department of Africana Studies. A group of African-American alumni started the Second Generation Scholarship in 1986 as a means to give back to the campus and become more involved in UMBC. The scholarship provides funding to continuing students whose money for college often decreases the longer they stay in college and graduate. Among the requirements, scholarship candidates must be currently enrolled or have taken a… Continue Reading Second Generation Scholarship Winners Awarded