Political Science

photo via the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Alums in the News: Loftus, Bok, Severance, Penn

Congratulations to these UMBC alums whose accomplishments have been recognized both inside and outside of UMBC. Take a moment to read what they have been up to! Matthew Loftus ‘07, chemistry, grew up in Bel Air, Maryland, with ample resources, attended UMBC, and is now a family physician. But now, after joining the New Song Community Church, a branch of the Presbyterian denomination he attended as a child, Loftus and his family have relocated to Sandtown, Maryland as an evangelist to connect with residents and provide mental health services. Loftus, like many other relocators, was much better off than many… Continue Reading Alums in the News: Loftus, Bok, Severance, Penn

Alums in the News: Copeland, Friedman, Bachore and Bell-McKoy

We are proud of our alums and their constant achievements. Recently, four of UMBC’s alumni, in particular, have made it in the news and we thought you should know! Governor Martin O’Malley recently announced the appointment of 23 judges who will serve across Maryland. We’re proud to share that two of our UMBC alumnae, Judge Melissa Kaye Copeland ’91, sociology, and Judge Karen Friedman ’94, political science, were appointed to the Circuit Court for Baltimore. Copeland has served on the District Court for Baltimore City since 2012. Prior to that appointment, she worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City.… Continue Reading Alums in the News: Copeland, Friedman, Bachore and Bell-McKoy

Alumni Essay: Forget The Smoking Gun, by Gus Russo ’72

Catonsville resident Gus Russo ’72, political science, is married to the mob. And to U.S. history. He is a writer and investigative reporter specializing in the shadowy netherworld of American crime and politics. Russo has worked on 15 television documentaries for major networks in the United States and elsewhere, and he is the author of seven books – including “Where Were You? America Remembers the JFK Assassination” (Lyons Press, 2013). The 1960s and 1970s (when I was a student at UMBC) were not just defined by musical revolutions, but also by the tumult of politics and conspiracy – and the… Continue Reading Alumni Essay: Forget The Smoking Gun, by Gus Russo ’72

NBC Kennedy documentary featuring Gus Russo ’72, political science

Gus Russo ’72, political science, traces the lesser-known tales of the Kennedy assassination in a new NBC documentary airing on Novemeber 22. Ask Russo where he was on November 22, 1963, and he recalls it instantly. He was a student at Mount Saint Joseph High School, plunged with his fellow Roman Catholic school classmates into a deep communal grief over the assassination of John F. Kennedy. For the past year, Russo has been asking other people to recount their memories of that tragic day for Where Were You?: America Remembers the JFK Assassination – a new NBC documentary hosted by… Continue Reading NBC Kennedy documentary featuring Gus Russo ’72, political science

Two women talk at political science reception

Annual Political Science Reception Draws Alumni, Students

Nearly 100 alumni, students, faculty and staff attended this year’s Political Science Alumni/Graduating Senior Reception, held on April 30 in the Albin O. Kuhn Library. The annual event celebrates not only soon-to-be alumni of the Political Science program, but also the accomplishments of its graduates. Congratulations to all!  

A Volume Business – Eduard Berlin ’70, Political Science

The books may sit quietly on their shelves, but the rest of The Ivy Bookshop buzzes with the activity of book selling. In the back of the Baltimore shop on this particular early evening, employees race to load Bill Clinton biographies onto a cart in time to sell at a symposium downtown later that night. And near the reading nook, UMBC professor Robert Provine prepares for a reading and Q&A in the bookshop about his new book on the psychology of hiccups. At the center of the commotion in his favorite leather reading chair sits Eduard Berlin ’70, political science… Continue Reading A Volume Business – Eduard Berlin ’70, Political Science

Family of Alumnus Missing in Libya Seeks Help of Congress

The family of missing UMBC alumnus Matthew Van Dyke ’02, political science, has sought the aid of Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger in raising the profile of his case. Van Dyke, 31, who has not been heard from since March 13, is believed to have gone missing with several fellow journalists while traveling in Libya. During a press conference at Van Dyke’s mother’s home yesterday, Ruppersberger told the Baltimore Sun he planned to introduce a resolution about the missing journalist on the House floor. Read the full Baltimore Sun story here. View coverage on WJZ-TV. Read an April story about the… Continue Reading Family of Alumnus Missing in Libya Seeks Help of Congress

Congratulations to UMBC's Newest Alumni: The Class of 2011!

Congratulations to the Class of 2011! The UMBC Alumni Association is proud to welcome you as its newest members. – Read about members of the Class of 2011 on our special Commencement site. – Read the Baltimore Sun’s inspiring story about political science major Matt Courson, who walked across the stage five years after being paralyzed. Congratulations, Matt!

Alum Matthew Van Dyke '02 Still Missing in Libya

Freelance journalist Matthew Van Dyke ’02, political science, is still missing in Libya. A recent story in The Atlantic magazine about another missing journalist mentions Van Dyke, who was originally reported missing March 13. Read the Atlantic story here. The Committee to Protect Journalists issued an alert about Van Dyke’s disappearance earlier this month. He is one of 15 journalists currently missing or in government custody in Libya. Read the full story here and please share;  keeping Matthew in the public eye is important!

Three PoliSci Alumni named “Twenty in Their 20s” by Daily Record

Eduardo Gonzalez ’06, Aaron Merki ’05, and Alicia Wilson ’04, all political science graduates, were named to The Daily Record’s 2011 list of “Twenty in Their 20s” award honorees. Merki was also the recipient of the 2010 UMBC Rising Star Award for young alumni service and is an associate at Venable, LLP. Wilson was the (inaugural) 2009 UMBC Rising Star Award winner and is an associate at Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC. Gonzalez writes for the Daily Record’s “Generation J.D.” blog. Read more about Merki and Wilson on our UMBC Alumni Awards page: Aaron Merki ’05 Alicia Wilson… Continue Reading Three PoliSci Alumni named “Twenty in Their 20s” by Daily Record

Syrian Studies: David Lesch '83, political science, in NYT

Political science major David Lesch ’83, a professor of Middle East history at Trinity University, and the author of “The New Lion of Damascus: Bashar al-Asad and Modern Syria,” has published an opinion piece in the New York Times entitled “The Syrian President I Know.” Read the full piece here.

Ballot Boxers

Four UMBC alumnae who have made careers in politics and government look back at an electoral cycle that held landmarks and heartbreaks for women candidates. By Richard Byrne ’86 Photos by Chris Hartlove The year 2008 saw a momentous breakthrough for African-Americans in U.S. electoral politics. But it was a landmark year for women as well. UMBC Magazine talked with four prominent political alumnae just after Election Day 2008. We asked them to reflect not only on the tumultuous political year, but also about gender and politics issues in their own careers. And to add some scholarly perspective, Cheryl M.… Continue Reading Ballot Boxers

Scroll to Top