UMBC community, families celebrate Homecoming 2024

Published: Oct 31, 2024

a group of umbc alums gathering in the alumni and friends tent during homecoming 2024
Attendees gathering in the Alumni and Friends Tent during UMBC's 2024 Homecoming. (All photos by Marlayna Demond '11/UMBC unless credited otherwise)

Families, friends, furry pals, and Retrievers of all ages returned to UMBC’s campus last week for the 2024 Homecoming celebration. Retrievers were in high spirits as they enjoyed more than 30 events, including UMBC Homecoming staples like the beloved carnival and bonfire, and some attendees kicked off their Halloween festivities with costumes, pumpkins, and fall treats. 

Robots, pups, and Retriever traditions

In UMBC tradition, the Homecoming celebration had something for everyone. Leading up to main Homecoming weekend, students kicked Homecoming fun into high gear with the return of the student org kickball tournament. UMBC faculty and staff also took part in the fun at the annual faculty-staff social. 

A diverse breadth of UMBC’s research and creative achievement was on display at the eighth annual GRIT-X event. First-year computer science student Morgan Robbins attended this year’s GRIT-X with her mother, Nicole Robbins. The pair were impressed by GRIT-X speaker Aryya Gangopadhyay, professor of information systems, and student researchers in UMBC’s Center for Real-time Distributed Sensing and Autonomy (CARDS) who led a demonstration of their autonomous robotics technology.

Researchers on stage with two autonomous robots that look like robot dogs. The researchers have on headgear that they are using the direct the robots. There is a picture of an animated train crash in a tunnel on the walls behind the researchers.
Center for Real-time Distributed Sensing and Autonomy student researchers leading the demonstration of their autonomous robots and how the robots are providing crucial support in rescue operations and human-robot teaming.

“I’m interested in autonomous communication, and I like combining computing with helping people,” said Robbins. “This was my first time seeing research talks, and it was great to see the research happening at UMBC.”

During Homecoming and Family Weekend, there were smiles, cheers, and barks all around for the annual Puppy Parade, which featured dozens of animals in wild costumes. Dharma Bhatt ’23, psychology, said he came to Homecoming for one reason: “The puppy parade—entirely the puppy parade.” 

A weekend for family and friends 

Homecoming weekend also featured several get-togethers for various groups across the community, including reunions for UMBC’s “Founding Four” group and members of the university’s Honors College and scholars programs. President Valerie Sheares Ashby took part in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Lambda Phi chapter’s celebration of their 15th reunion. The group helped to raise more than $1,600 for UMBC’s Second Generation Scholarship Fund.

Room full of members of  Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Lambda Phi chapter. Woman in center is smiling and holding a microphone, which is umbc president valerie sheares ashby.
President Valerie Sheares Ashby during the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Lambda Phi chapter’s celebration of their 15th reunion.

Jim Lotfi ’89, visual and performing arts, kept the party rocking during the annual Greek alumni reunion party. Lotfi shared that he loves hosting the Greek alumni party, saying that, “It’s a great time for fraternity and sorority members across all organizations to come together and reconnect. This is one of my favorite Homecoming events to participate in.” 

In the Alumni and Friends tent on Erickson Field, attendees enjoyed games, food, petting zoo fun, and moments of reconnecting with old classmates and other familiar faces. Senior Emily Trentalance said she attended Homecoming to be able to see friends and professors again. “It’s hard hanging out, especially with your alumni friends when people are busy, so it’s nice to see everyone,” she shares. 

During this year’s Taste of Maryland Homecoming event, 100 attendees gathered across from UMBC’s Bookstore in The Commons for a crab and assorted buffet feast. Alumni Association President Kevin Yang ’07, computer science and financial economics, and his wife Katelyn Niu ’05, biochemistry, brought their son along for the Homecoming fun. The family enjoyed the endless bushels of crabs with fellow alumni friends. 

“There’s nothing like a UMBC celebration, and what better way to reconnect and reminisce with old friends than with crabs,” said Yang. 

four men smiling at the camera. they are all wearing umbc apparel. there are black, yellow, and white balloons behind them
Alumni Association president Kevin Yang ’07 (third from left) with fellow UMBC alumni and staff at the Alumni and Friends tent gathering during Homecoming 2024.

As the carnival lit up the night sky, many attendees made their way to the annual Homecoming Tailgate where they cheered on the men’s soccer team in their victory against the University of Vermont. 

three soccer players on a field.  two on the left are in white UMBC uniforms and one on the left is in a  green uniform. one player is in the motion of kicking, the ball is flying in the air to towards the player in green.
The men’s soccer team triumph over the University of Vermont with a 1-0 victory during their Homecoming 2024 match up.

Additional reporting provided by JJ Gee ’25 and Maashal Awan ’25 for UMBC.

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