Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, a former UMBC Meyerhoff scholar who now holds a PhD in Neurobiology, credits Dr. Freeman Hrabowski with teaching him to reach beyond mere success. Watch the videos below and be inspired by what a distinguished UMBC alumnus has accomplished since leaving UMBC.
Reaching above the ceiling – Dr. Fafui Dzirasa on 60 Minutes
PBS documentary features neuroscientist Kafui Dzirasa’s new approach to treating bipolar disorder
OK now that you have been moved by this distinguished UMBC Alum, we invite you to consider these top ten reasons for joining UMBC’s Alumni Association:
10. UMBC
needs you.
Universities with active alumni have a lot more talent and resources to draw
on. Alumni help the university to stay strong and continue to develop even when
state funding for education is lean. Because UMBC is 50 years young, we have a
smaller and younger alumni population than older colleges, so we need each of
you.
9. You can have an impact on the future direction of the university.
At universities where alumni are active, they can be part of conversations
about things like: the direction of athletic programs, campus expansion, naming
opportunities for campus buildings, access to campus resources and much more.
You can have this type of impact by getting involved with the UMBC Alumni
Association, its board or different alumni chapters and communities.
8. You
can help younger generations of students to succeed.
Once you are “out there” in the world beyond UMBC, you can come back and tell
current students what you are experiencing in law school, or on the job. Later
you can help provide internships and shadowing opportunities for students. At
networking events, you can tell current students what you wish you had known
about finding a position in your field.
7. You can enjoy coming back to campus to celebrate milestones, like the
50th anniversary in 2016!
The fortieth anniversary hoopla was really fun, so count on the fiftieth to be
even better. When you come back you’ll see how the Performing Arts and
Humanities Building turned out, what new buildings are under way, and whether
it is still impossible to find any given room number in Fine Arts.
6. You can benefit from keeping up ties with your former classmates,
professors, and university staff.
Your UMBC network can provide references, job leads, advice, and continuing
friendship. And that network can expand over time to include UMBC people you
did not even know when you were here! And guess what, your UMBC associates know
other people and can refer you or introduce you to them. Your fellow graduates
could turn out to be so successful that they might let you borrow their villa
in France for the summer (or at least their condo in Ocean City for a week)!
5. It is particularly fun and rewarding to keep up ties with a subgroup
within the UMBC community that was important to your experience here.
Cheerleaders, Theatre majors, SGA officers, Model UN participants,
swimmers---whatever group you were into is your niche within UMBC. Staying in
touch with your niche-mates and following the progress of current students in
those groups is especially meaningful. When one of your fellow athletes of the
past makes his or her way into the UMBC Hall of Fame, that ceremony is not to
be missed. And, as an alum, you are always welcome at games, matches, and
performances---a great place to meet fellow alumni.
4. You
can use the library, join the RAC, use the services of the Career Center, get
help applying for a Fulbright grant, and enjoy a lifelong subscription to UMBC
Magazine.
UMBC does not forget you when you graduate; certain services are available not
just to current students but also to alumni. There may be modest fees, but you
will not find them onerous.
3. You can attend social events planned just for alumni, such as Orioles games,
harbor cruises, wine tasting socials, networking receptions downtown, and more.
As an alum, you will be amazed at the invitations and event lists landing in
your mailbox from UMBC. These are designed to help you mix and mingle and revel
in your UMBC connections!
2. The Alumni Association looks
for good “deals” for its members.
These deals include discounts, group life insurance, and unlimited free cakes
from Duff Goldman’s Charm City Cakes (not really, but we wish, since
Duff is a UMBC alum). Read all about him here.
AND, FINALLY:
1. You know it is the right thing to do!
You’ll never regret being an active UMBC “alum from day one” but you may well
regret NOT staying in touch.
Stay connected by visiting any of the following websites:
Search for us on Facebook: “UMBC’s Alumni Association”, “UMBC Chapter of Young Alumni”, "UMBC Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni"
Search for us on Linked In: UMBC Alumni Network
Search for us on Twitter: @UMBCalumni
UMBC Alumni Association Contact Info:
UMBC/Alumni House
1000 Hilltop Circle (actual address: 5451 Wilkens Avenue)
Baltimore, MD 21250
410-455-ALUM
