As we celebrate Founder’s Day 2022 and our 56th fall semester, what could be more appropriate than a fun Retriever history quiz? (Don’t worry, we’re not grading you.) Continue Reading Founder’s Day Quiz – Take a Spin Through Retriever History
UMBC has grown in so many ways thanks to the leadership of President Freeman Hrabowski and the drive of our RetriEVER Empowered community near and far. Here are seven key points of Retriever pride from the last three decades. Continue Reading Milestones and Momentum 1992 – 2022
Valerie Sheares Ashby, current dean of Duke University’s Trinity School of Arts & Sciences, may not officially start her role until August 1, but she’s already making a splash on campus. Continue Reading Incoming President Surprises an Excited Campus
UMBC’s Catonsville campus has changed significantly since opening in 1966. How will it continue to transform? Continue Reading Change of Scenery—Then & Now
Stan VanDerBeek, who taught at UMBC for almost a decade, was more than an artist; he was a visionary who thought beyond limits and boundaries. Continue Reading Beautiful Dreamer
What’s the real story behind True Grit? Why was a Chesapeake Bay Retriever chosen as the school’s mascot? Continue Reading The True Story of UMBC’s Mascot, True Grit
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
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
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
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.
For 25 years, the Women’s Center has provided co-curricular programming, support services, and advocacy for marginalized individuals and communities, along with campus-wide activities such as Take Back the Night, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Critical Social Justice, and more. UMBC Magazine talked with center director Jess Myers, Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs Patrice McDermott, and special projects coordinator Amelia Meman ’15, GWST, for their thoughts about the center’s mission. What do you see as the role of a women’s center on a university campus in today’s environment? Jess Myers: There are so many women in higher education. But just because there… Continue Reading Back Story – Spring 2017
UMBC celebrates its 50 years in style Saturday, September 17, 2016 was a day to remember for any Retriever who made it to campus to join in the biggest celebration of black and gold pride ever. Over 3,300 alumni, students, faculty and staff from across the campus community came together to attend the event – which included a puppy parade, storytelling, hands-on demonstrations and lectures across disciplines, athletics events, and a dazzling display of fireworks to cap it off. We wanted to share that day – including some of the best stories from faculty and alumni – with our readers.… Continue Reading House (of Grit) Party
