Perspectives

UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, takes your questions. Q. What books have you been reading of late? And how do you prefer to read: ebooks or paper? — James Polchin ’89, political science Founding Editor, Writing in Public A. One thing that I’ve been reading lately is Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945 by David Kennedy, who is a professor at Stanford University (Oxford University Press). This period in American history fascinates me, and both Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt fascinate me. She was very helpful in pushing the involvement of women, of… Continue Reading Up on the Roof – Summer 2012

On July 1, Philip Rous will become provost at UMBC after serving for a year as the interim provost. In his 22 years at the university, Rous has filled key leadership positions – including president of UMBC’s faculty senate and dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS). UMBC Magazine spoke with him about his view of the university. Q. UMBC is known for its exceptional undergraduate education experience. How has the university earned that reputation? A. The importance attached to undergraduate education has been here ever since the founding of the university. Those who came to teach… Continue Reading Over Coffee with Provost Rous

UMBC Magazine welcomes your letters to the editor on any issue related to the content of the magazine. Readers can email comments to byrne@umbc.edu. Faxed comments are accepted at 410-455-1889. Readers can also send letters to “Letters to the Editor,” UMBC Magazine, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Administration Building, Baltimore, MD 21250. THE NAKED TRUTH Our article in the Winter 2012 issue (“Blow Up”) drew a number of terrific responses. It is amazing that photographs of dancers taken 42 years ago are an issue to be examined again in 2012. It is likely that these photographs still might offend the Maryland Senate… Continue Reading From You – Summer 2012