Outstanding Alumnus: Gib Mason ’95

Sep 26, 2014 / 3 minutes of reading

Over the next few weeks we’ll be introducing you to this year’s Alumni Award winners. The UMBC Alumni Association proudly honors distinguished alumni and faculty for their accomplishments and dedication to UMBC. Today we’re talking with Gib Mason ‘95, economics, about his career working as the Chief Operating Officer and Director of the Center for Leadership and Innovation by improving the UMBC Training Centers. Name: Gib Mason ’95, economics Job Title: Chief Operating Officer & Director of the Center for Leadership and Innovation, UMBC Training Centers Award Category: Distinguished Service Q: Why did you choose to attend UMBC, and how do you continue to… Continue Reading Outstanding Alumnus: Gib Mason ’95

Meet the Alumni Leadership: Ken Pittman ’80

Sep 23, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

Name: Kenneth L. Pittman ‘80, economics, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU® Employer: PNC Wealth Management Alumni leadership role: President of the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors Q: Where are you from originally? Annapolis, MD Q: What’s your favorite UMBC memory? Meeting my (future) wife at Dr. Peake’s Halloween Party Q: Why are you involved in an alumni board or chapter? If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Q: Do you have a favorite hobby or pastime? Power boating and scuba diving. Q: If you were an Olympian, what would be your sport/activity of choice?… Continue Reading Meet the Alumni Leadership: Ken Pittman ’80

Scott Farrow, Economics, Named Economics Coordinator for the Department of Homeland Security’s National Center on the Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE)

Sep 5, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

Economics Professor Scott Farrow has been named part-time economics coordinator for the Department of Homeland Security’s National Center on the Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE). The center was established in 2004 and is an interdisciplinary national research center based at the University of Southern California. The center is comprised of a team of experts from around the country who work to identify where terrorist attacks may occur and what the economic consequences of those attacks may be. On the website announcement that states Farrow will lead CREATE’s economic efforts, it reads: “CREATE researchers are making conceptual and empirical… Continue Reading Scott Farrow, Economics, Named Economics Coordinator for the Department of Homeland Security’s National Center on the Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE)

Dennis Coates, Economics, in The Baltimore Sun

Sep 5, 2014 / 2 minutes of reading

After the nonprofit Washington 2024, an organization that is supporting bringing the 2024 Summer Olympics to Washington, D.C., recently launched its website, The Baltimore Sun published an article examining what Maryland’s role would be in hosting the Olympics, which still remains largely undefined. Economics Professor Dennis Coates was quoted in the story and said in order for D.C. to manage hosting the Olympics, it would need to host events in Maryland. “I think there is no way D.C. can manage it if they don’t get a buy-in from Maryland,” said Coates. “They’re probably going to use facilities at FedEx [Field].” He… Continue Reading Dennis Coates, Economics, in The Baltimore Sun

Tim Brennan FCC Appointment Extended

Aug 12, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has extended the appointment of UMBC public policy and economics professor Tim Brennan as chief economist through December 31, 2014. Dr. Brennan’s appointment is part of an FCC program that brings in scholars from academia to provide outside perspectives and advice on challenging issues. Dr. Brennan has held the position of FCC chief economist since January, 2014.

Dennis Coates, Economics, in The Baltimore Sun and The Buffalo News

Aug 1, 2014 / 2 minutes of reading

As the Buffalo Bills search for a new owner, state and county officials in New York could be faced with a complicated scenario if the new owner arrives with a demand to build a new stadium. An article published July 28 in The Buffalo News examines the question: do taxpayers get their money’s worth by public dollars helping to build sports stadiums? Considering the situation in Buffalo, Economics Professor Dennis Coates was interviewed for the story and said teams are increasingly getting money from taxpayers to directly help with operating costs of stadiums. One of the arguments for a new stadium in Buffalo… Continue Reading Dennis Coates, Economics, in The Baltimore Sun and The Buffalo News

Solitary Refinement

Jul 15, 2014 / 6 minutes of reading

UMBC alumnus Ben Marcin ’80 traveled the world with his camera. But he has found acclaim investigating the often bitter poetry, beauty and truth in local landscapes. The photographs of Ben Marcin ’80, economics, are gaining a much wider audience of late. His work has been shown at venues including the Delaware Art Museum, The Center for Fine Art Photography in Ft. Collins, Colo., and at the C. Grimaldis Gallery in Baltimore – where he is currently represented and recently had a solo show this past winter. His photos are also in a number of group shows this summer, including… Continue Reading Solitary Refinement

Dennis Coates, Economics, on WAMU’s Metro Connection

Jul 1, 2014 / 2 minutes of reading

Does it make sense to host the 2024 Summer Olympics in Washington, D.C.? Economics Professor Dennis Coates recently shared his thoughts on this question on WAMU’s Metro Connection. The U.S. Olympic Committee has confirmed Washington, D.C. as a finalist to host the Olympics along with San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston. Coates shared insight on whether the financial investment in hosting the Olympics in D.C. would be worth the return. “By and large most of the cities that hosted saw a decline relative to what would have happened had they not hosted the event,” he said. And the primary reason, he believes,… Continue Reading Dennis Coates, Economics, on WAMU’s Metro Connection

Career Q&A: Ting Zhang ’03, M.A., intercultural communications, professor

Apr 16, 2014 / 3 minutes of reading

Every so often, we’ll chat with an alum about what they do and how they got there. Today we’re talking with Dr. Ting Zhang ’03, M.A., intercultural communications, about her career as an assistant professor at the University of Baltimore and her research into entrepreneurship, aging and economic growth. Name: Ting Zhang Job Title: Assistant Professor Employer: University of Baltimore Q: Tell us a little about how you wound up at UMBC. What’s your background? A: UMBC’s unique Intercultural Communication program attracted me. I was a student of English and International Business in China before I came to UMBC. Q: … Continue Reading Career Q&A: Ting Zhang ’03, M.A., intercultural communications, professor

Career Q&A: Ting Zhang '03, M.A., intercultural communications, professor

Apr 16, 2014 / 3 minutes of reading

Dennis Coates, Economics, on Econ Journal Watch

Mar 25, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

Economics Professor Dennis Coates was recently a guest on an Econ Journal Watch podcast discussing his research that found economists mostly frown on government subsidies for professional sports franchises, facilities and events. He was a guest on the program with Brad Humphreys, an associate professor of economics at the University of Alberta. During the interview, Coates commented on claims that sports stadiums bring economic benefits and prosperity to cities and their immediate metropolitan areas. “The evidence is that they are minimal at best, and may in fact even be negative,” Coates said. “We think of tangible benefits as job creation and income… Continue Reading Dennis Coates, Economics, on Econ Journal Watch

Dennis Coates, Economics, in The Daily Iowan

Feb 19, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

The Daily Iowan’s editorial board recently published a column arguing that the Iowa Senate should reject a $9 million tax break for a motor racing track in Newton, Iowa purchased by NASCAR. The authors contend that accepting tax breaks and appropriating public funds to build and maintain complexes for organizations such as NASCAR can harm the local economy. A study by economics professor Dennis Coates was referenced in the article in which he argued sports welfare negatively impacts local residents because most money generated by sports stadiums ends up going to the owners. “The professional sports environment in the 37 metropolitan… Continue Reading Dennis Coates, Economics, in The Daily Iowan

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