UMBC History

an older man in a black polo shirt stands on a baseball field holding a bat

Stepping up to the plate to preserve UMBC history

/ 5 minutes of reading

When the Fort McHenry Tunnel opened, drivers could thank Richard “Rock” Soracoe ’71, economics, for helping them see as they drove under the harbor. Soracoe spent 50-plus years in the lighting industry and helped source the original 8,870 8-ft light fixtures that lined the road. In retirement, he’s helping shed a different type of light. Soracoe and other members of the founding four classes at UMBC are putting their collective memories to work to assist in identifying people and events in UMBC’s archival material to help complete our UMBC history. One event—UMBC’s first intercollegiate athletics win—is a story Soracoe loves… Continue Reading Stepping up to the plate to preserve UMBC history

Chuck Peake at his desk in 1969, surrounded by piles of papers.

Chuck Peake—Pioneer of UMBC’s economics program

/ 7 minutes of reading

Charles “Chuck” Peake was hired as the university’s very first professor in economics and entrusted with a daunting task—building the economics department from the ground up. As a professor and mentor, Peake built a tight-knit but inclusive community of economics students and, half a century later, those social bonds still hold strong. Continue Reading Chuck Peake—Pioneer of UMBC’s economics program

Passing of Founding Faculty Walter K. Sherwin

/ 2 minutes of reading

With great sadness I share with you that Dr. Walter K. Sherwin, a founding faculty member and a leader in the UMBC community, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Dr. Sherwin taught on campus for more than 40 years, from its opening in 1966 until his retirement in 2011. Early in his career at UMBC, he established what would later become the Ancient Studies Department, and after receiving a Fulbright grant to study in Rome in 1967, he developed the university’s first study abroad program — an opportunity for UMBC students that continues today. Dr. Sherwin was widely admired… Continue Reading Passing of Founding Faculty Walter K. Sherwin

A Whole New (DI) Ballgame — Bobby Mills ’91

/ 7 minutes of reading

Bobby Mills ’91, economics, played a prominent role in building the foundation of UMBC’s Division I men’s basketball program. While there have been ups and downs over the past 30-plus years, including four conferences switches and six head coaches, the first teams and their “founding fathers” hold a special place in Retriever Athletics’ history. Mills’ UMBC journey contained challenges, but he credits his families – the one based in Pittsburgh and his Retriever family in Baltimore – for putting him on the path to achieving more than he could ever have imagined back in 1986. And, he’s never been more… Continue Reading A Whole New (DI) Ballgame — Bobby Mills ’91

Men’s Soccer Q&A: Forty Years (and Counting) of Celebrations

/ 9 minutes of reading

By Steve Levy ’85, Associate Athletic Director, Athletic Communications Above photo: The Retrievers celebrate their Homecoming win over Albany (3-1). Photo by Gail Burton. The UMBC men’s soccer program has a lot to be proud of these days. With a Homecoming win over Albany, the number 16 nationally ranked team has packed Retriever Soccer Park with record-breaking crowds. And with their last regular season home game tonight versus Delaware, they have showed their “Grit & Glory” on field and off all season long. But the truth is, the program has had much to celebrate throughout its history. The year 2017 happens… Continue Reading Men’s Soccer Q&A: Forty Years (and Counting) of Celebrations

Campus Treasure – The UMBC Squirrel

/ 1 minute of reading

There’s something irresistible about our fair university’s unofficial mascot, the UMBC squirrel. Maybe it’s because we appreciate an animal with smarts enough to make a feast of our leftovers. Or perhaps it’s because it’s impossible not to wonder what the little jokers are thinking as they scamper by. Which is why a springtime social media caption contest tempted so many Retrieverland imaginations. Congratulations to winner Jill Marie Timmons ’94, English, for her classic take on the student experience. See more squirrels and such on Instagram at @UMBCLife. You’d be nuts to miss out.

© UMBC: A University System of Maryland
Member Institution
Scroll to Top