As the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) celebrates its 2004 homecoming this week, UMBC also welcomes alumna and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) executive Anita Maddox Jackson as the newly elected president of the UMBC Alumni Association.

"I am delighted that Anita has been elected President of our Alumni Association," says UMBC president Freeman A. Hrabowski, III. "She brings substantial experience both in the corporate world and in connecting institutions across the public and private sectors. She has a stellar reputation in Baltimore as a highly respected professional and caring human being."

Currently director of supplier diversity for BGE, Jackson credits UMBC as "the foundation for my professional success. UMBC helped me forge a satisfying career and, at the same time, broaden my view of the world."

Jackson's role as president of UMBC's Alumni Association is fitting, given her commitment to become more involved with the University. "When I returned to campus recently, I couldn't believe how much had changed," she explains.

Jackson's first priority will be to increase alumni involvement. "We need alumni time and talent to help UMBC continue to excel," she says. The UMBC Alumni Association offers social events, professional development activities and volunteer opportunities to more than 36,000 graduates of the university.

Jackson's 21-year tenure with BGE, a subsidiary of Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG), has included positions in human resources, marketing and sales and corporate communications. Jackson, a native of the Eastern Shore and a resident of Catonsville, is a 1980 UMBC alumna, having earned a B.S. in Health Science & Policy. She also holds an M.A.S. from Johns Hopkins University.

Nationally, Jackson is a committee vice chair of the Edison Electric Institute. She sits on the regional board of the MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council and the local boards of BB&T Bank and Alliance, Inc. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Rho Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Like many UMBC alumni, Jackson will return to her alma mater this week for UMBC's Homecoming/Family Day Celebration. The event, held October 20 through 24, is open to all members of the UMBC community. A complete schedule of events is available online at http://www.umbc.edu/StudentLink/homecoming/schedule.html.