Special Collections continues our archival project Archives Gold: 50 Objects for UMBC's 50th, a special series showcasing 50 different objects that tell the story of UMBC. This week we present the April Fool's edition of UMBC's Retriever newspaper known as The Deceiver and The Poodle.
The Deceiver, Volume 28, Number 22, April 1, 1993. UPUB-R4 University Publications, University Archives, Special Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD)
The UMBC Retriever newspaper has a longstanding tradition of satirical April Fool's editions. In 1977, the paper published its very first April Fool's issue entitled The Poodle. The issue was filled with sarcastic and humorous articles including one naming the poodle as UMBC's new mascot and one stating that the SGA president and Physical Education Department were sponsoring a duel between two inmates from the Maryland Correctional Institution. Since then, The Retriever newspaper has published annual April Fool's issues during the week of April the 1st under the name The Deceiver. Amusing article titles over the years have included, "Student Bursts into Flame During Lecture," "Administration Building Stolen During Last Weekend," "UMBC Explodes," and "Giant Terrapin Attacks UMBC."
The Poodle, Volume 1, Number 1, April 1, 1977. UPUB-R4 University Publications, University Archives, Special Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD)
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