This post is written by Special Collections Graduate Assistant Nikki Vietz, who recently finished processing the papers of prolific sci fi/fantasy author Lawrence Watt-Evans. Nikki, along with previous interns and student assistants, did a great job with this large collection of manuscripts, convention materials, correspondence, and more!

Do you believe that anyone can write a book? The highly acclaimed science fiction and fantasy writer, Lawrence Watt-Evans believes that all you need is a good idea, a keyboard, and some writing skills. According to him “there is no idea so stupid or hackneyed that a sufficiently-talented writer can’t get a good story out of it.” Whether you believe this or not, Lawrence Watt-Evans has recently donated a large amount of his manuscripts, proofs, science-fiction convention memorabilia, and other miscellaneous materials to UMBC’s Special Collections.

Born and raised in Arlington, Massachusetts, Lawrence Watt-Evans has been a full-time writer and editor for more than twenty years. His first attempt at writing science-fiction occurred at the young age of eight and after surviving twelve years of school, he followed in the footsteps of father and grandfather and attended Princeton University. Watt-Evans never finished his degree and in 1980, he published his first novel The Lure of the Basilisk with Del Rey Books. He went on to write three sequels and the highly popular Ethshar fantasy series, which was initially created for role-playing games. 

A prolific author with an immense imagination, Watt-Evans’s other fantasy work includes the short novel The Rebirth of Wonder and the collaboration with Esther Friesner, another acclaimed fantasy writer, entitled Split Heirs. Along with fantasy, Watt-Evans has written one horror novel, The Nightmare People, and several science fiction novels, including two Star Trek novels, The Cyborg and the Sorcerers, and his Three World Trilogy: Out of This World, In the Empire of Shadow, and The Reign of the Brown Magician. He also edited and compiled an anthology about contemporary and futuristic New York called Newer York, which includes twenty-four stories from various authors including Susan Shwartz, Mike Resnick, and Esther Friesner. 

However, Watt-Evans’s imagination and talents extend beyond the genres of fantasy, science-fiction, and horror. His personal favorite is his story Nightside City about a 24th century detective. Alongside more than a dozen novels and over one hundred short stories written under the name Lawrence Watt-Evans and his pseudonym Nathan Archer, Watt-Evans's work also ventures into the realm of DC and Marvel graphic novels and comics.

His novels have been translated into seven languages and have been enjoyed worldwide. In 1987, he was nominated for a Nebula award and one year later, in 1988, he received the Hugo award for best short story from the World Science Fiction Society for “Why I Left Harry’s All-Night Hamburgers” which was first published in Asimov’s Science Fiction magazine. The story is about a young man, who works at a greasy spoon diner near Sutton, West Virginia that acts as a popular hang-out for travelers from alternate Earths. After hearing about these far-off wonders, the young man decides to travel through the multiverse himself.

Watt-Evans also served as the president of the Horror Writers Association for two years from 1994-1996 and was the co-owner of the horror magazine Deathrealm with Terry Rossiobefore it ceased publication in 1997. The magazine won the International Horror Critics Guild Award in 1995 for best horror magazine, which was awarded at the 1996 World Horror Convention. And, according to Lawrence Watt-Evans, Deathrealm #27 was banned in Canada for “disturbing” cover art. 

His donation and gift will contribute significantly to UMBC’s growing collection of science fiction and fantasy literature. For more information, see the Lawrence Watt-Evans papers collection finding aid or contact Special Collections.

Thanks, Nikki!

Dear UMBC Community,

As we complete our spring semester, we want to share an important safety update for faculty members and students participating in the first Summer Session of 2022.

We will begin the first summer session with masks required in all in-person classes, instructional labs, and performance spaces being used for academic programs, including spaces where in-person examinations are held. 

The decision to implement this mandate  is based on current state and local conditions as reflected in the CDC’s recent elevation of the Community Risk Level for Maryland, and for Baltimore County, from low (green) to medium (yellow). 

We will continue to review state and local conditions weekly. If current prediction models remain accurate, it is expected that Maryland, and Baltimore County, will move back to CDC’s low risk level sometime this summer. At that time we will consider relaxing this masking requirement.

Free KN95 masks will continue to be available at locations across campus. Students, faculty, and staff are and will remain able to pick up free rapid antigen tests at the UMBC Police Station and the Commons information desk. On-campus PCR testing will pause during the summer session.

If you have questions, please contact covid19@umbc.edu. Thank you for supporting our community.

Provost Philip Rous

Vice President of Information Technology and CIO Jack Suess

COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs

The i3b community is proud to present the 2022 Black and Latine/x Award winners!

The recipient of the Black/Latine/x Advocate of the Year Award is Dr. Tania Lizarazo. The recipient of this award is someone who consistently shows a dedication to serving Black/Latine/x people at UMBC or in the greater Black/Latine/x community through their activism, research, or civic engagement. This person recognizes the challenges unique to many Black/Latine/x people and seeks to contribute to Black/Latine/x communities facing these challenges through their service. The person's passion for service is evident to all those who surround them.

Dr. Lizarazo has been a warrior advocating for the Latinx community at UMBC. She is a professor of Modern Languages, Linguistics & Intercultural Communication. Even with the limitations that virtual class can have, she successfully engaged and fostered love for Latin American topics. She is an advocate of promoting and highlighting the contributions of the Latinx woman in the history of a patriarchal culture. Her support and understanding helped many students get through the times of COVID. This nomination was submitted by Viridiana Colosio Martinez.

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The recipient of the Black/Latine/x Student Leader of the Year Award is Jazmia Perry. The recipient of this award is a Black/Latine/x-identified student who has made a lasting contribution to the UMBC community either through a student organization, a campus student employment position, assistantship, or extracurricular activity. This may be in service to the Black/Latine/x community, to another community, or cause. This student is influential, inclusive, and has a strong social justice lens that promotes equity and community building. The student nominated for this award embodies the idea that service is something that is ongoing and is reflective of the needs of the community they serve.

Jazmia is a mentor for minorities of many different age groups and is an advocate for mental health awareness. She often puts forth sound solutions to issues plaguing society or for the improved functioning of government for its citizens. Wherever she directs her path, it is clear she is equipped to advocate for causes that help the greater good. She portrays these qualities in addition to being a mother. Her peers describe her as very hardworking, enthusiastic, and empathetic. This nomination was submitted by Daniela Garcia-Rojas, Cindy Lo, and Diana Torres.

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The recipient of the Black/Latine/x Scholar of the Year is Sarah Turner. This award recipient is a Black/Latine/x-identified student that has shown strong academic performance during their student career at UMBC either through their coursework, special projects, and/or research. Their work may be Black/Latine/x-focused or not, and it stands out among our gifted and talented UMBC students. This student has demonstrated creativity, persistence, and/or grit despite any sociopolitical or identity-based barriers. A student nominated for this award may also have served as an academic mentor or role model to their peers.

Sarah is a McNair Scholar and a URA recipient who performs research in the Department of Public Policy. Her research this semester focused on disadvantaged students and their academic performance. Even with the many responsibilities she has at home and within McNair, she remains highly efficient and focused on her academic goals. Her wisdom is highly valued within the McNair community. She is not only a strong leader, but an inspiration to her peers.

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The recipient of the Black/Latine/x Ally of the Year award is Beatriz Gutierrez-Malagon. This award recipient is a person who may be Black/Latine/x-identifying or not, but has made a commitment to supporting Black/Latine/x individuals on campus this year. This person has worked to support the Black/Latine/x community on campus in addition to their other academic and co-curricular commitments. If Black/Latine/x identifying, this person has made efforts to help other Black/Latine/x identity groups in the community.

Beatriz has been at UMBC for the past few years serving as a Professional Staff Member. The recipient of the award has consistently demonstrated that she puts in 110% of the work in everything that she does. From advising SGA, to being one of the co-creators of the Multicultural Leadership Experience Initiative, and most recently serving as one of the search committee members on the recent Presidential search committee, it is clear that she is passionate about the work she does and particularly centering the needs of student leaders of color. UMBC is truly fortunate to have her and the nominator states how grateful they are for getting to know her and calling her their colleague.

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The recipient of the Black/Latine/x Excellence Award is Michael Hunt. The award is given to a Black and/or Latine/x-identified person who has had a timeless impact on the UMBC Black and/or Latine/x community and has been with the UMBC community for at least three years. This person has gone above and beyond by demonstrating signs of leadership in the Black and/or Latine/x community either by showing courage, compassion, or common courtesy. This award may go to any current or past staff, faculty, student, and/or alum who's priceless contribution to UMBC's Black and/or Latine/x community echoes the celebration of diversity for which our institution is known.

Michael Hunt has been an advocate for so many students and scholars everywhere over the years. He is the director of the McNair Scholars Program and in this role, he inspires and supports many black and latinx students in their journey to graduate school. With this, he has encouraged, motivated, and uplifted so many people in all minority communities. He wants scholars to know that they shouldn't change themselves to fit into white supremacist institutions-- they will be changing the institution. Having someone like him in your support network/family is highly valued.

Congratulations to all of the 2022 Black and Latine/x Award winners!

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, and to those who were part of the nomination process.

The i3b community is proud to present the 2022 Lavender Award winners!

The recipient of the LGBTQIA+ Advocate of the Year Award is Simone "Scones" Loysen. The recipient of this award is someone who consistently shows a dedication to serving LGBTQIA+ people at UMBC or in the greater LGBTQIA+ community through their activism, research, or civic engagement. This person recognizes the challenges unique to many LGBTQIA+ people and seeks to contribute to LGBTQIA+ communities facing these challenges through their service. The person's passion for service is evident to all those who surround them.

Scones has been a leader within and beyond the LGBTQIA+ community. They are always doing the most to advocate for queer students on campus. They have researched, written for the retriever, led workshops, and participated in the student demonstration for ensuring that trans students feel safe on this campus. They have been an incredible trans activist on this campus.

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The recipient of the Lavender Student Leader of the Year Award is Angelica Mansfield. The recipient of this award is an LGBTQIA+-identified student who has made a lasting contribution to the UMBC community either through a student organization, a campus student employment position, assistantship, or extracurricular activity. This may be in service to the LGBTQIA+ community, to another community, or cause. This student is influential, inclusive, and has a strong social justice lens that promotes equity and community building. The student nominated for this award embodies the idea that service is something that is ongoing and is reflective of the needs of the community they serve.

Angelica has been heavily involved in campus leadership and especially in respect to LGBTQIA+ awareness. She has been active and on the board for the LGBTQ Student Union. She has led workshops. She has been invested and dedicated to working with and meeting LGBTQ students on campus. This nomination was submitted by Maxine Elovitz.

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The recipient of the LGBTQIA+ Scholar of the Year is Joshua Gray. The recipient of this award an LGBTQIA+-identified student that has shown strong academic performance during their student career at UMBC either through their coursework, special projects, and/or research. Their work may be LGBTQIA+-focused or not, and it stands out among our gifted and talented UMBC students. This student has demonstrated creativity, persistence, and/or grit despite any sociopolitical or identity-based barriers. A student nominated for this award may also have served as an academic mentor or role model to their peers.

Joshua has a distinguished academic record that speaks to his impassioned pursuit of academic excellence, research, and creative achievement. He is a Dance and Media and Communication Studies (MCS) double major with a minor in Public Administration. Throughout his academic journey here, he has maintained a 4.0 GPA and was recognized as a valedictorian finalist. His research and academic pursuits are based on ethnographic and community-based participatory methods. After his undergraduate studies, he hopes to get a Ph.D. in Communication Studies to continue researching the void in information sharing and storytelling within the most marginalized communities among us. This nomination was submitted by Abinwi Acho.

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The recipient of the LGBTQIA+ Ally of the Year award is Jordan Packett. The recipient of this award is a person who may be LGBTQIA+-identifying or not, but has made a commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals on campus this year. This person has worked to support the LGBTQIA+ community on campus in addition to their other academic and co-curricular commitments. If LGBTQIA+ identifying, this person has made efforts to help other LGBTQIA+ identity groups in the community.

Jordan has been a vocal ally and advocate to the LGBTQIA+ community since they arrived on campus in 2019. They would often attend Women's Center events like Spectrum and they're now the Executive Director to the LGBTQ Student Union. Last year they were awarded the GWST department's Joan S. Korenman Outstanding Service Award. They ensure queer advocacy is incorporated in every aspect of their lives, from personal to professional to academic.

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The recipient of the Lavender Legacy Award is Dr. Manil Suri. The recipient of this award is given to an LGBTQIA+-identified person who has had a timeless impact on the UMBC LGBTQIA+ community and has been with the UMBC community for at least three years. This person has gone above and beyond by demonstrating signs of leadership in the LGBTQIA+ community either by showing courage, compassion, or common courtesy. This award may go to any current or past staff, faculty, student, and/or alum who's priceless contribution to UMBC's LGBTQIA+ community echoes the celebration of diversity for which our institution is known.

Dr. Suri has been a vocal advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community for at least a decade. He often discusses the intersection of his identities as a queer, Indian, mathematician in his NY Times op-ed articles like "Why Is Science so Straight?" and his personal essay "How to be Gay and Indian". Outside of UMBC mathematics, he's known for writing novels set in India. His third novel, The City of Devi, was ranked number 12 in the 50 essential works of LGBT fiction list by Flavorwire. He is many student's first representation of a queer person of color in STEM and he doesn't shy away from sharing this aspect of his identity with his students.

Congratulations to all of the 2022 Lavender Award winners!

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, and to those who were part of the nomination process.

Dear UMBC Community,

Today our community is experiencing both the happy milestone of Commencement celebrations and the pain of lives lost to gun violence in too many communities, from Baltimore to Buffalo and now Uvalde, Texas. We appreciate the strong message sent today by University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay Perman and want to share with all of you his call for increased caring and common sense. We also know our work together in higher education continues to be vital to elevating both compassion and wisdom, and we thank you for all that you do to make a difference every day. It gives us hope to know that our graduates in all disciplines are prepared as citizens to provide leadership addressing the many challenges we face as a society, including mental health and gun violence.

If you are in need of emotional support in light of these recent tragedies, please ask for help. Students in need of support can contact the Counseling Center at (410) 455-2542 on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. -- 5 p.m., or the after-hours support line at (410) 455-3230. Faculty and staff can access support through the Employee Assistance Program. 

President Freeman Hrabowski

Provost Philip Rous

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As we get closer to the end of the academic year, we recognize that everyone needs a break. Join the Professional Staff Senate and Campus Life for Yappy Hour!

All faculty and staff are welcome to bring their pets to the Quad tomorrow, May 24, from 4 p.m. -- 6 p.m. Come to socialize your pet with other pets or for a break to play with your coworkers' pets!

If you have questions, please contact Jen Dress at dress@umbc.edu.