Gourd Season

Baltimore birds will soon find refuge in hand-made birdhouses this spring – but these small homes aren’t made of wood and paint. Painted, carved gourds, often used to decorate the Thanksgiving table, will be hung instead, thanks to a faculty-student collaboration in the visual arts department.

Through a grant from the Parks and People Foundation, Associate Professor of Visual Arts Tim Nohe and Alex Geiger ’12, visual arts, began “Gourd Season” at the Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School (on East Lanvale Street). The project enhances the green infrastructure at the school by adding capacity for rain harvesting and composing.

The greening of the school began in the summer of 2009, when Nohe, Geiger and Lisa Moren, associate professor of visual arts, began setting up raised planting beds, compost piles, rain catchers (funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust) and fruit tree plantings. The children planted canteen, snake, indo-bottle and long-handled dipper gourds for an October harvest.

“When the gourds dry in the spring, we will craft water dippers, bird houses, animals and instruments like drums and banjos,” said Nohe.

By growing gourds around the school, Nohe and Geiger are helping break up the “asphalt playground” that the school stands upon, converting parts of the mostly concrete space into more areas of “green play and learning.” The school now contains a bioswale (structure that removes silt and pollution from surface runoff water), edible gardens and other hands-on learning spaces. Prior to becoming a school, the building was briefly a set for the television drama, “The Wire,” and then a homeless shelter. Its renovation was completed in 2009.

“We are so pleased to make this green start for the school,” said Nohe.

In addition to funding from the Parks and People Foundation, Geiger is also supported by a UMBC Undergraduate Research Assistantship Award granted through the Office of the Provost. With this funding, the team was able to see Gourd Season through a full planting, harvest and crafting curriculum.

“We look forward to sharing our gourd art, crafts and musical instruments with the campus in the future,” said Geiger.

(12/11/09)

How UMBC Students Made the Most of Summer

Through The Shriver Center at UMBC, hundreds of students are foregoing their summer trips to the beach to boost their resumes with internships, co-ops, service-learning and research positions at organizations throughout the U.S.

Benjamin Link
Expected graduation: December 2009
Major: Chemical Engineering

Covidien
New Haven, Connecticut

“Engaging in a summer internship was a terrific way to transition from an academic environment into a professional engineering role. The breadth of experience I received through my industry placement has helped me define the direction my career path will take. Above all else, my internship experience has reinforced the engineering principles and validated the critical thinking skills that are prized so highly at UMBC.”

Kathleen Herwig
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Social Work

Center for Social Change
Elkridge, Maryland

“As a student of social work, I was able to expand my knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom and use them in a practical manner during my internship. This experience has made me confident in my ability to succeed as a social worker and to work in the nonprofit sector. The Shriver Center has offered me much support and guidance that has allowed me to fulfill my educational and personal goals for the summer.”

Karen M. Silver
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Health Administration and Policy

St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore Medical Services Clinic
Baltimore, Maryland

“Working with Project HEALTH and The Shriver Center has allowed me to apply what I learn in the classroom to the real world. By serving as a case manager for low-income individuals and families in Baltimore City through Project HEALTH and pursuing my health policy degree, I am able to better identify the disparities and challenges that this population faces.”

Maleshia Jones
Expected Graduation: May 2012
Major: Mechanical Engineering

SUNY AGEP Summer Research Institute at Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York

“My internship experience has taught me how to take ownership of my research project and my future. The most important benefit I have received is the opportunity to work in a research lab and experience what graduate school is like. I know how to better work independently and am excited about learning what more I can do to contribute to ongoing research.”

Roderick Howard, II
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Majors: Acting and Media and Communication Studies

Maryland Public Television
Owings Mills, Maryland

“From the time of my interview to my last day of work, I felt comfortable and knew without a doubt that this was where I belonged. The goal at MPT is to provide programming that respectfully represents the public, is accurate, interesting and thought-provoking. I feel blessed to have been granted the opportunity to work alongside professionals – people who truly care about their viewers.”

Katherine Parris
Expected Graduation: May 2012
Major: Political Science and Modern Languages and Linguistics

State Attorney for Baltimore City, Juvenile Division
Baltimore, Maryland

“I had the opportunity to gain experience in my future career and meet amazing people while observing the judicial and societal issues of Baltimore City youth crime. I also discovered my future calling in becoming a prosecutor. I accomplished all of this while also receiving credit for my involvement.”

Michael Coon
Expected Graduation: December 2010
Major: Computer Engineering

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

“My internship was a huge boost to my confidence. It helped me determine what I want to do in graduate school and gave me some hands-on experience with radar technology.”

Sonia Metangmo
Expected Graduation: May 2012
Major: Biological Sciences

Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina

“I learned so many lab techniques and was very well mentored. I had the opportunity to experience two months as a scientist working in a lab almost every day. I had a very unique and remarkable experience this summer because I was mentored by three different scientists.”

Shauna Marquess
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Physics

University of Rochester
Rochester, New York

“This internship gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with optics and electronics, to attend several fascinating optics classes, to meet new people and to visit new places.”

Babajide Durosomo
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major:  Business Technology Administration

McCormick and Co., Inc.
Hunt Valley, MD

“My experience working at McCormick has been very rewarding. I worked with a dynamic team that was purpose driven and rationally thought of ways to use technology to benefit the company not just locally but globally. I now fully understand why McCormick has been voted as one of Baltimore’s Best Places to Work 2008. It is truly a great company that will ‘add some spice to your life!’” 

Brian Frazee
Expected Graduation: May 2011
Major: Political Science

Governor’s Summer Internship Program working with the Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment
Baltimore, Maryland

“Choosing to spend my summer participating in the Governor’s Summer Internship Program was one of the best decisions that I have made so far in my undergraduate career. Working directly with a cabinet secretary on policy issues; attending meetings with the secretary, the governor and other high-profile policymakers; drafting a full policy proposal to present to the governor; as well as attending educational seminars in Baltimore and Annapolis have exposed me to the inner workings of state government and how policy is both developed and implemented.”

Andrew Schmitt, Aaron Mitchell and James Thomas
Expected Graduation: December 2010, May 2010, May 2010 (respectively)
Majors: Computer Science

Northrop Grumman
Linthicum, Maryland

“Finding well paying, flexible, year-round internships has been perfect for us both financially as well as serving as an educational supplement to our studies at UMBC. Our experience with The Shriver Center has been great. After helping with our resumes, the Center organized and hosted our interviews right on campus. It couldn’t have been simpler.” 

Jodie Dibley
Expected Graduation: December 2009
Major: Management of Aging Services

Charlestown Retirement Community (Erickson Communities)
Catonsville, Maryland

“At Charlestown, I felt like part of the team on my first day. I couldn’t have been placed in a better-suited internship. I really got exposed to a lot of different facets of a retirement community. It was enjoyable to see all the different components that make a huge organization like this be successful. The community has so much going on during the summer, and the fun never stopped.”

Anuj Agarwal
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Majors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
Baltimore, Maryland

“It was amazing to be able to work side by side with some of the greatest trauma surgeons in the world who are saving lives. My internship not only provided me with a ‘real life’ experience, it also strengthened my background and created an opportunity for networking.”

Carlos Urtecho
Expected Graduation: Fall 2010
Major: Political Science

Association of Colleges and University Housing Officers, Belmont University
Nashville, Tenneseee

“Through my residence life internship at Belmont University, I learned a lot about careers in student affairs. My internship experience has confirmed my career path and has given me valuable experience in the field of higher education. I hope to one day work in a college setting and make a difference in the lives of college students.”  

Marc Zerfas
Expected Graduation:  2011
Majors: Statistics and Financial Economics

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Newburgh, New York

“Forty hours a week is quite a bit of time to give up during the summer but in the end I felt like I accomplished something. This experience opened my eyes to an entirely new field. Before this internship, I had never seriously considered working in the insurance industry. Now I am studying for the first exam needed to be an actuary. The internship gave me something to do as well as a way to make money without having to flip burgers at a McDonald’s.”

Ugonna Ohiri
Expected Graduation: 2012
Major: Computer Engineering

Develpmental Robotics Laboratory
Ames, Iowa

“I was able to travel across the country to a renowned robotics conference in Seattle to see the positive contributions in the field of robotics. I was also able to effectively work on a research team that has a good chance of getting a paper published.”

Bahar Adili
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Social Work

International Social Service, United States of America Branch and the Arthur C. Helton Institute for the Study of International Social Service
Baltimore, Maryland

“My internship was an amazing experience and match for me. I was able to use my interest and knowledge of social work, research, nonprofit management and international issues to fulfill my responsibilities as an intern at ISS-USA and its Arthur C. Helton Institute. By spending my summer participating in this internship, I acquired the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector.”

Sarah Candell
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Political Science

Maryland Transportation Authority, Point Breeze Office
Baltimore, Maryland

“During my internship, I researched Bluetooth technology as a possible traffic detector. It was really interesting to learn about the advantages of using Bluetooth technology to estimate travel time. Learning new ways of researching information and learning more about transportation was very enjoyable.”

Jon Jordan
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Graphic Design

MarketPlace Books/Traders’ Library
Glen Elg, Maryland

“Through my internship, I have gained real-world design experience, which will help me land a dream job when I graduate. Not only have I laid-out books and covers, but I have also designed a website seen by thousands that advertises the company’s upcoming forum. The Shriver Center eased the stress involved with the application process, which is especially important at the end of the semester when final exams and projects are the number one priority.”

(8/13/09)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

Increasing America’s Environmental IQ

“Our mandate is to increase the environmental IQ of America,” says Dave Jones, CEO of StormCenter Communications, a new resident of bwtech@UMBC’s Incubator and Accelerator. The company is conducting research with NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) to improve the communication of weather and climate change data in order to enhance preparation for and responses to major storms.

StormCenter is developing the Envirocast® Vision Touchtable (EVTT), a potential visualization and collaboration tool for the National Weather Service and FEMA that will enable scientists to share information on storm data and make decisions on where to position response crews before storms hit. The EVTT will be a prototype decision support tool for The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (governors of all Gulf Coast states). StormCenter is also working with the state of Texas as a model for how the rest of the Gulf Coast States can be more prepared for weather and climate change impacts to the region.

The company’s other major project involves sharing climate change information to the wider world. StormCenter’s broadcast studio will transmit presentations on weather and climate change information to classrooms in K-16 schools and universities. Most recently, they collaborated with NOAA and the U.S. State Department to broadcast a scientific panel discussion on Climate Literacy to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen via videoconferencing technology.

Jones, a meteorologist who once did on-air weather forecasting for NBC4 in Washington, DC, also sent a crew to Greenland in July to take video of The North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling project (NEEM). The footage aired on the Weather Channel and PBS. “We want to leverage the work we’re doing with NOAA and NASA and turn material into original stories for broadcast and use in the classroom,” says Jones.

One reason Jones decided to relocate his company to UMBC was the opportunity to hire student interns, as well as collaborate with faculty on research projects. UMBC’s existing collaborations with NASA�the university ranks 2nd nationally in NASA university research grants and cooperative agreements�also convinced Jones that StormCenter Communications would be a natural fit with bwtech@UMBC.

(1/29/10)

Innovation Beyond the Classroom

UMBC continues to gain national recognition for its commitment to and innovation in engaging students in community service, internships, co-ops, research and service-learning.  For the second year in a row, the University has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction.  Eighty-three institutions received this designation and UMBC was the only Maryland institution in this category. 

Additionally, UMBC’s effective Internship, Co-op, and Research Programs through The Shriver Center received the 2009 Best Practice Award from the Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CEIA).  The purpose of the CEIA’s Best Practice Award is to spotlight new approaches and their application to other programs nationwide.  Both these honors continue to highlight UMBC as a leader in applied learning.

Shriver Center Director Michele Wolff adds that “applied learning not only strengthens UMBC’s commitment to produce skilled professionals for the region’s workforce, but also contributes to creating the next generation of civic-minded leaders.” 

Being named to the President’s Honor Roll with Distinction demonstrates UMBC’s deep commitment to providing a comprehensive array of community service and service-learning opportunities to students to provide substantive assistance in meeting unmet needs in our local, regional and national community. At UMBC, students can engage in a continuum of activities from one-time community service events (e.g. blood drives, MLK Service Day projects) and Alternative Spring Breaks (both in Baltimore and around the country), to semester-long service-learning experiences with a host of community-based nonprofit organizations and local public schools. These experiences open students’ eyes to the myriad of issues facing our society, building their sense of social consciousness and their levels of civic literacy.

The Shriver Center offers a comprehensive academic Internship, Cooperative Education and Research program along with innovative work-based learning activities, including; a Lunch and Learn Career Series; Shriver on the Road Field Trips to Worksites; and a Student Alumni Job Shadow Program.  In the past five years, Shriver Center’s intern, co-op and research hires have increased by 97 percent.  To date, during the 2008-09 academic year, staff secured, coordinated and monitored over 900 internship, cooperative education and research placements for undergraduate and graduate students, not counting upcoming summer hires. 

Andrew Ishmael, who serves as an intern at Black & Decker, says, “Having an internship is the most valuable asset for a college student.  It takes what you learn in the classroom and gives you real-world applications.”

Feedback obtained from participating students, faculty and employers reinforce UMBC’s active engagement in and support of applied learning.  The 2009 Best Practice Award from the CEIA and being named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction are national honors that continue to make UMBC proud.

(5/13/09)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

Instrument for Expression

The upcoming concert by the Baltimore Dance Project is more than a performance – it’s an investigation of the human body. Featuring the work of choreographers Carol Hess (associate professor and chair of the Department of Dance), Doug Hamby (associate professor of dance) and Sandra Lacy (instructor), the concert examines the human body in time and motion.

For this group of choreographers, dance and research are intrinsically linked – especially through the exploration of the body.

“Dance research is the investigation of the human body and its physical limits as a kinetic object/machine and as an instrument for expression,” Hamby said.

An important part of dance research is the influence of technology, and for more than 10 years, Hess’s choreography has been focused on this interaction (dance and video in particular). One example is Hess’ previous work with videographers who captured movements and projected them onto screens behind the dancers. She wanted to see whether these different perspectives would affect the reaction of the audience.  

Hess has been teaching the class “Dance and Technology” since 2002 and has been researching the development of the dance field in this area. Two of her works with the Baltimore Dance Project incorporate technology. In “Transparencies” and “Other Lives,” six dancers perform with animated characters as they create a virtual world of avatars. The piece was inspired by Hess’ explorations in Second Life, an online virtual world where users interact with one another through avatars.

For each dance, the choreographers used different creative processes. Hamby likes to think of his compositions as a jigsaw puzzle – creating something without knowing what it will finally be. He calls it: “the start anywhere and keep going approach.”

“In this process, I have to let the movement show me the way and trust that it ultimately will,” he said.

Hamby uses this approach in his new dance, “Stop and Go,” which will be featured at the February concert. The dance highlights a young dancer who is beginning to perform for the first time. Another one of Hamby’s compositions is “Gavotte,” which is about two dancers reacting to one another’s movements to create a comic narrative. 

Lacy also uses improvisation to maximize human movement potential and expressivity.

“The body has a physical intelligence that for me is often inaccessible though the conscious mind but can be tapped through improvisation,” Lacy said. “Through improvisation I can find ways of moving and relationships that I could never have consciously choreographed.”

Performances run February 4-6 at 8 p.m. in the UMBC Theatre. More information is available online.

(1/28/10)

Introductory Experience Helps Students Transition into College

The First-Year Seminars at UMBC provide students with an opportunity to connect around academic topics during their first semester on campus. With nearly 20 seminars annually, students are able to enroll in courses that fit their specific interests. While these credits fulfill general education requirements, students receive much more in terms of their education.

“These seminars are designed to help you think deeply about issues such as the state of the environment, the forces impacting war and peace in modern culture and the negative impact of stereotypes as persons deal with national, ethnic, racial, and religious differences,” said Diane Lee, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Education. “In these seminars you will engage in thoughtful discussions, authentic inquiry and meaningful exploration of ideas.”

Students enrolled in the seminars gain experience through writing, presentation, group discussions and hands-on laboratory work. Topics range from current events and society to historical analysis and mathematical computation.

Based on the growing residential population at UMBC of in- and out-of-state students, diversity in preparation has grown and an experience was needed to provide students with an academic opportunity that introduces them to UMBC’s academic expectations and the resources that are available to support them, said Randles. Students of many backgrounds feel that first-year experiences serve as a nice transition between high school and college.

“With a small group setting, I was able to share my beliefs and hear diverse perspectives from my peers, which helped me learn about what it means to be a UMBC student,” said Brian Frazee ’11.

“We always arranged our desks in a big circle so we could have open, friendly discussions. Since the class was so small, I made a lot of great friends,” said Samantha Haines ‘10. “Everyone got to voice their opinions, hopes and fears about being a first-year student. We became a very close group.”

Since its implementation in 2000, the First-Year Seminars have had a positive impact on students. In addition to First-Year Seminars, the Office of Undergraduate Education offers additional first-year experiences through a Collegiate Success Institute (summer bridge program) and Introduction to an Honors University seminars (IHU). Students also participate in Living Learning Communities (LLC), the First-Year Council and, as part of Welcome Week, the New Student Book Experience.

Based on OIR analysis of data “Those who have a first-year experience are more likely to be retained and to complete their degree successfully,” said C. Jill Randles, assistant vice provost for the Office of Undergraduate Education. “In addition, we have learned that students who participate in a first-year experience are more engaged that non-participants.”

Future goals for the first-year experience include building a specific program for transfer students as current offerings are expanded to provide every new student with a first-year experience opportunity. Given how much the campus has embraced the first-year experience, Randles isn’t worried about reaching these goals.

“These efforts have been successful because of the many individuals who go beyond what’s humanly possible at times,” she said. “The faculty, staff and students involved with the program are committed and know this is a successful learning environment.”

(5/8/09)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

Leading Ladies

Starting March 3, the UMBC theatre department will show off its GRRL PARTS with a trio of short plays written to give young actresses strong lead roles.

The inspiration for the production came from a source of frustration in the theatre department: though most theatre majors are women, the majority of strong roles are written for men. “Guys get to be everyone, every character you can imagine, but there are a limited number of roles that people think a 20-year-old girl wants,” explained Susan McCully, adjunct assistant professor of theatre and women’s studies, and the artistic director of GRRL PARTS.

Tired of the available female roles, McCully started the IN10 Playwriting Competition in 2006. That competition solicits 10-minute plays with strong female leads, and the winning play—as well as commissioned plays written by established playwrights—is performed on campus. This year, the production has been renamed GRRL PARTS.

GRRL PARTS is an opportunity for student actresses to play parts that are different than what they have encountered before. “Usually in a play there are maybe one or two really strong women’s roles, and you’re watching the men take all the action,” said Samantha Nelson, ’10, theatre. She relishes the opportunity to both star as a compelling character and work with actresses who are also playing strong roles.

“The students really have the right energy and the skills for their roles, while also being very challenged by them,” added Colette Searls, associate professor of theatre, who is directing two of the plays.

This year, GRRL PARTS features the world premieres of three original plays. Weathertician by Gregory Farber is the winner of the playwriting competition.  In a futuristic world where humans control the weather, two women are locked into a perpetual debate over what each day’s forecast will be.

The two commissioned plays are written by playwrights Naomi Iizuka and Phyllis Nagy. Iizuka’s play, This Girl I Used to Know, is a retelling of the Arachne myth in a college setting. Nagy’s play, The One, the Other, is about a break up and is directed by Wendy Salkind, associate professor of theatre. The action jumps through time and space to show the arc of the women’s relationship.

“The plays are about love, politics and power. All three have strong women who are fighting and stretching for something that they really want,” said Kiirstn Pagan ’11, theatre, the stage manager for GRRL PARTS.

Though the plays’ themes are very different, GRRL PART’s organizers are unifying them by focusing on the art of playwriting; the staging is minimal, and the audience will be encouraged to consider the scripts as well as the performances. A talk back after the performances will help the audience understand the plays. “We have a journey that we’re taking the audience on,” explained Searls.

GRRL PARTS runs March 3-7. The performance schedule and ticket information are available online at www.umbc.edu/theatre.

(3/1/10)

“UMBC Reflects and Acts” is a series of events commemorating the anniversary of Sept. 11, teach-ins hosted by UMBC faculty and staff and service events.

Lessons of 9-11

On the afternoon of September 11, 2001, the UMBC community gathered for a campuswide teach-in. Faculty, staff and students came together to listen and learn from one another.

Now as UMBC marks the first anniversary of September 11, faculty members with expertise on terrorism and American/Middle East relations reflect on the issues surrounding the 9-11 attacks.

For a complete listing of UMBC events remembering 9-11, including teach-ins by many of the faculty members below, please visit the UMBC Reflects and Acts� home page at http://www.umbc.edu/9-11

Devin Hagerty, Assistant Professor, Political Science

Hagerty will lead a teach-in entitled “The War on Terror in South Asia: Who’s Winning?” on September 17 at noon.

Hagerty is an expert on South Asian politics and American foreign policy in the region. Since 9-11 he has continued to teach about the dangers of nuclear proliferation between India and Pakistan and the need for the West to rebuild and democratize Afghanistan after a generation of war.

Power without purpose is a recipe for bad foreign policy. America has struggled since the Cold War’s end to find its purpose in the world. In the most dramatic way possible, 9-11 demonstrated the imperative to define what kind of world we want to live in. One thing is clear: most terrorists hail from countries where democratic norms are absent and basic civil rights are denied. America can do a lot more to promote and assist liberalizing political reform movements, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia.�

Anne Brodsky, Assistant Professor, Psychology, and Affiliate Assistant Professor, Women�s Studies

Before 9-11, Brodsky was already working with underground groups like RAWA, The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, to fight for the rights of Muslim women under the Taliban and other fundamentalist groups. Brodsky�s book, With all our Strength: The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan,� will be released in Spring 2003.

The stark realities of life in post Taliban Afghanistan are not dampening the spirit and resistance of the Afghan people. After 24 years of war and destruction they have grown unfortunately accustomed to the fact that the promises of liberation and rebirth offered by regime after regime, from the Soviets � through the Taliban, to the current transitional government �have never been realized, but that the average person can make a difference�Because they speak out �in favor of democracy and women�s equality, groups like RAWA are still at risk…But they believe in the desires of the ordinary Afghan people for peace, security, democracy and the education banned under the Taliban.�

Christopher Hewitt, Associate Professor, Sociology

Hewitt studies, writes and teaches on government policies to reduce terrorism, comparisons of social violence in different nations and social inequality. His new book, “Understanding American Terrorism: From the Klan to al Qaeda,� comes out on September 11.

Since 9-11, the U.S. government has spent billions on programs and technology to prevent a weapons of mass destruction terror attack. But experts agree that we are much more likely to see a low-level attack in the U.S. That money, energy and effort would be put to much better use on common-sense, relatively low-cost measures, such as establishing a national ID card system and more focused law enforcement. We need a cost-benefit analysis that weighs the financial price and effectiveness of anti-terror measures along with the public inconvenience and aggravation. The real answer to better homeland security isn�t money or technology, but more sensible policies.�

Louis Cantori, Professor, Political Science

Cantori will co-lead a teach-in entitled “A Critique of American Policy in the War on Terrorism” on September 17 at 4 p.m.

Cantori has lived and studied extensively in the Middle East, and is highly involved with some of the world�s most prominent Christian-Muslim relations groups. He recently returned from Khartoum, Sudan where he was part of a study team addressing the problems of the Sudanese civil war and Sudanese/American relations.

On September 11, Muslims on the one hand roundly condemned the slaughter of the American innocents, but on the other embraced Bin Laden�s political agenda. This increased hostility towards the U.S. has three causes: American uncritical support of Israel, the view on the Arab streets that the U.S. condones the deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children caused by economic sanctions, and the U.S. support of allied Arab despots in the repression of their own people. Today, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is deemed ‘a man of peace’ while simultaneously engaged in a war against Palestinian terrorists, the invasion of Iraq is openly contemplated, and the despots are now assisting in the war on terrorism by increasing repression of their domestic opponents. The Middle East today is far more dangerous than it was a year ago.�

Lucky Number Seven

The UMBC men’s swimming and diving team has won its seventh consecutive America East Championship and 13th straight conference title overall after finishing with 926.5 points Sunday, February 28, in Boston. The women finished second for the second year in a row, scoring 681 points.

“We are very proud of our men and women. They performed with confidence and pride,” said Head Coach Chad Craddock ’97, who took over at the helm of the swimming and diving teams in 2001. “Our men were the clear underdogs going into the meet and came out proving they are champions.  Our women’s determination made for a great competition. “

Senior Matt Mattingly broke the school record in the men’s 200 breast and earned silver in a time of 2:00.90, over four and a half seconds faster than his prelim time.

Junior Brad Reitz won the gold in the men’s 200 fly in an NCAA-provisional qualifying time of 1:47.81. Freshman Sandy Haibel earned the silver in a time of 1:51.94.

Sophomore Abbey McKenney broke the school record and earned gold in the women’s 100 free in an NCAA-provisional qualifying time of 50.17.

In their final events for UMBC, senior Tina Cantwell earned silver in the women’s 200 breast in 2:17.09, while fellow senior Tereza Kaplanova touched third in 2:18.74.

The Women’s Most Outstanding Rookie of the meet was awarded to Morrissette, who earned bronze in both the 200 and 400 IM and fourth in the 200 fly. UMBC’s coaching staff was named Co-Men’s Coaching Staff of the Year.

More information about the championships is online.

(3/1/10)

Making Leadership History

Three women students now hold leadership positions on campus, but none of them care � about being women, that is.

While Yasmin Karimian (SGA president), Jen Kent (SGA vice president) and Gaby Arevalo (Retriever Weekly editor) care about the history they’ve made, they’re more interested in their work. The 2009-10 academic year marks the first time in UMBC history that three females hold these top campus positions at one time, including the first female duo in the SGA.

“While I think it’s wonderful that Yasmin, Jen and I are all women and minorities that isn’t what we’re known for,” said Arevalo. “We’re known for the positions we hold, not for our backgrounds or gender.”

Karimian and Kent actually had no idea they were the first female duo in SGA history until after turning in their applications to run. Both say more recent generations are different.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have grown up in a generation where female leadership is encouraged, and the idea of gender equality is second nature,” says Kent.

All three women feel lucky to be at a school where it’s not uncommon for women and minorities to hold leadership positions. They realize it wasn’t always so common or easy in generations past.

“We take for granted the support we receive by being women and being able to hold these positions without skeptics surrounding us,” says Karimian. “That certainly was not the case for some of our predecessors, like the first female SGA President Lisa Dickerson.”

Dickerson gave a speech at the SGA Inauguration in Spring 2009 and noted the struggles she faced 32 years ago.

“Those struggles paved the way for women like us to be merely able to seek the positions of president and vice president,” says Karimian.

(8/28/09)