Amber McGuigan
Valedictorian
Plans: Catholic University National Catholic School of Social Service, Advanced Standing Master’s Program
B.S. in Social Work and Economics
Hometown: Blackwood, New Jersey

Amber McGuigan, a Jacob Blaustein Public Affairs Scholar in the Janet and Walter Sondheim Public Affairs Scholarship Program, was a national finalist for the prestigious Harry S. Truman Fellowship for outstanding students committed to careers in public service. She recently received the Samuel I. Rosenberg Citizenship Award from UMBC’s Shriver Center for her work with the House of Ruth Maryland Children’s Program and an Outstanding Graduate Award in Social Work. This summer, she plans to continue her work at House of Ruth as the school-age group leader. McGuigan also completed an independent study in the history of economic thought with Professor of Economics Mike Bradley. Her husband, Colin McGuigan, was UMBC’s Class of 2005 co-salutatorian.

“I came to UMBC for the Sondheim Public Affairs Program. Through my coursework and attendance at lectures and extracurricular events, I have expanded my awareness and understanding of social problems and been given the opportunity to reflect, debate, and respond.”

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Joe Howley
Co-Salutatorian
Plans: Graduate Studies in Classics, University of St. Andrews, Scotland
B.A. in Ancient Studies
Hometown: Silver Spring, Maryland

A student of the classics and current events, Joe Howley was a finalist and alternate for the British Marshall Scholarship and was also UMBC’s nominee for the Rhodes Scholarship. A member of UMBC’s Honors College, Howley studied abroad in Scotland during his junior year. He assisted with the translation for the Ancient Studies Club’s May 2006 production of Aristophanes’ Frogs. Howley served as editor-in-chief of The Retriever Weekly student newspaper. He recently received several awards, including Outstanding Senior in Ancient Studies, the William and Martha Christopher Award (a scholarship for an outstanding ancient studies major), the Department of English’s Journalism Award and the Honors College Leadership Award. Prior to attending graduate school, he will intern at WYPR, Baltimore’s National Public Radio station.

"UMBC allowed me to pursue my interests in journalism as well as the ancient world, which is great, because they really aren't that different. They're both forms of storytelling, and ways of learning about people. When people ask me if I want to be a professor or a journalist, I just say, 'Yes.'"

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Roxann Brooks
Co-Salutatorian
Plans: D.V.M./Ph.D. in Veterinary Scientist Training Program, University of California, Davis
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Hometown: Chesapeake, Virginia

Meyerhoff Scholar Roxann Brooks has received the Pfizer Animal Health Grant to support Ph.D. studies. As a freshman and sophomore, Brooks conducted two independent research projects with UMBC Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Kevin Omland. She has served as a veterinary assistant for two different animal hospitals, an animal husbandry volunteer at the Virginia Living Museum and a pre-veterinary intern at the Virginia Zoo. Brooks has been a teacher’s assistant for an introductory biology course and recently received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Biological Sciences. During her undergraduate career, she became a classical guitarist under the tutelage of UMBC music instructor and professional concert guitarist Troy King.

“I am grateful to UMBC for expanding my breadth of knowledge by facilitating more than a scientific education. I have been able to learn the joys of music and teaching in addition to leadership, teamwork, persistence and tolerance.”

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Pascal Charbonneau
Plans: Belzberg Technologies Inc., Wall Street
B.S. in Financial Economics
Hometown: Montreal, Canada

Pascal Charbonneau, a Canadian national chess champion, recently became an International Grandmaster while earning his undergraduate degree. He is only the second Canadian player to receive the honor in the past 20 years. Charbonneau has been a vital part of UMBC's dominance in college chess, helping his teammates capture a record-breaking seventh Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship in December 2005. He took time out from UMBC Chess to participate in a study abroad program in Paris during the spring of 2005. This summer, he will present chess exhibitions in 13 Canadian cities before he begins his job on Wall Street.

“UMBC is a place of passions. I pursued chess, and thanks to a fantastic team, I reached goals I did not think possible when I began university. Moreover, with the help of a great faculty, in particular in the economics department, I developed a new passion which will bring me, duly prepared, to the world of finance. My professors were great, not only in the classroom, but outside the classroom as well. I look forward to staying in touch with a number of them in the years to come."

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Nicole DeBlase
Plans: Investment and Wealth Analyst, Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Company
B.S. in Financial Economics
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland

Nicole DeBlase has completed her degree in three years while participating in internships with General Electric and Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Company. She is a member of the Economics Honor Society, Omicron Delta Epsilon. DeBlase plans to return to school for a master’s degree.

“For me, the highlight of my college career was the internship experience I was able to obtain. UMBC's Shriver Center does an amazing job at placing students in positions that will allow them to get a hands-on feel for what life after college will be like. Internships allow students to bridge the gap between school and work, and to place classroom knowledge into real-world context.”

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Carina M. de Castro
Plans: Engineer in Northrop Grumman’s Professional Development Program
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Pasadena, Maryland

A University Scholar, Carina M. de Castro was one of several graduating seniors recently honored for highest academic achievement in mechanical engineering. She helped to revive the student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, volunteered with after-school programs and played the soprano saxophone in a quartet. After graduation, de Castro hopes to return to school for her master’s degree.

“From music rehearsals to engineering internships, I enjoyed many opportunities to pursue my diverse interests at UMBC. Though my four years here seemed to pass by too quickly, I've seen myself grow both personally and intellectually within UMBC's community of talented students and supportive faculty.”

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Eddie Gonzalez
Plans: J.D. in International Law and Ph.D. in Political Science, James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona
B.A. in Political Science and English
Minors in Writing and Anthropology
Hometown: Salisbury, Maryland

Eddie Gonzalez has been nominated by UMBC for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarship, a national award that supports graduate or professional study for outstanding students who have financial need and have overcome obstacles to their education. Gonzalez, who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the U.S. as a child, was raised in a single parent home since he was eight. Despite his financial challenges, Gonzalez has been resourceful in obtaining the aid he needed to attend UMBC, and graduates with a 3.81 GPA. His goal is to help indigenous people of South America express their needs and find recourse in international law.

“My experience at UMBC has been truly enriching. My frequent exposure to rigorous course material assures me that I will have the level of education necessary to succeed in whatever I pursue.”

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Ketgael Gordon
Plans: Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Baltimore
B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (“Children’s Health and Development”)
Minor in Psychology and Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration
Hometown: New Market, Maryland

After obtaining 57 credits from Montgomery College, Ketgael “Gael” Gordon, a mother of two, transferred to UMBC. While completing 160 hours of a physical therapy internship and 120 hours of an internship in the pediatric neonatology clinic at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Gordon volunteered twice a month at her children’s elementary school. She plans to become a pediatric physical therapist.

“At UMBC, the Interdisciplinary Studies program has allowed me to create my own major. This has been very helpful for my educational goal of going to graduate school to become a pediatric physical therapist. I have combined courses from different disciplines, had the opportunity to complete internships, and completed a capstone project that will be helpful for my future career. As a mother and student, INDS has given me a head start for graduate studies.”

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James Grant
Plans: M.F.A. in Acting, University of Wisconsin
B.F.A. in Theatre
B.A. in Modern Languages and Linguistics
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

In 2003, James Grant, Jr. studied theatre in Guadalajara, Mexico, and he hopes to further his acting experience in the U.S. and abroad. He had a leading role in a stage reading at Baltimore’s CenterStage. Grant is co-founder of the UMBC a cappella group Mama’s Boys, and has been active in UMBC theatre productions and with the Student Government Association. At the University of Wisconsin, he will serve as a teacher’s assistant and teach Fundamentals of Acting.

“At UMBC you are more than just your major. I've learned about myself, others and many things that aren't in books. The faculty are the driving force behind these lessons.They have encouraged critical thinking about myself and careful contemplation of the world I live in.”

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Pamela Greenlee
Plans: Fulbright Scholar in Morocco, Islamic Civilization Initiative
B.A. in Political Science
Minor in French
Hometown: Urbana, Maryland

Pamela Greenlee is one of four UMBC students to receive a 2006-07 Fulbright Scholarship. She will travel on a full grant to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Under the Islamic Civilization Initiative, a component of the Fulbright program which seeks to build an understanding between America and Islamic countries, Greenlee plans to examine human rights issues, particularly the rights of Islamic women. In preparation for her research, she will spend this summer at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she completed an internship in 2005. Greenlee has also studied American foreign policy at American University’s Washington Semester program. In addition, she was an intern for the Shriver Center’s Choice Program. After her Fulbright year, Greenlee will conduct seminars for SAIS. She hopes to attend a graduate school with a strong international relations program and eventually become a foreign service officer.

“My experience at UMBC has been made remarkable by the professors and advisors whom I have been fortunate enough to encounter. Each and every one genuinely cares about the successes of their students, and that support has been crucial to my success at UMBC.”

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Adam Grossman
Plans: M.S. in Environmental Science, UMBC
B.S. in Environmental Science
Hometown: Pikesville, Maryland

Adam Grossman has excelled both on and off the field during his undergraduate career. In 2005, Adam Grossman was the lone junior in the nation named to the 2005 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country University Academic District II First Team. In his sophomore and junior years, he was named the America East Conference’s Outstanding Scholar Athlete for men’s indoor and outdoor track and field. Grossman also was an unprecedented two-time winner of the UMBC department of athletics’ Matt Skalsky Outstanding Scholar Athlete award (2005, 2006). As an athlete, Grossman won eight conference titles in indoor and outdoor track and field and was the 2005 Outstanding Male Performer at the outdoor championships at Binghamton. In that meet, he won both the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash (setting a conference record) and 4 x 100 meter relay. In 2006, he broke the conference record in the 100-meter dash. Grossman has competed in NCAA Regional competition and has been a two-time finalist at the prestigious Penn Relays.

“Being a student-athlete at UMBC was a great honor. I was able to represent UMBC in many states. I was also able to have the opportunity to compete against Olympians and world champions as well as in front of a crowd of nearly 50,000 people. These are experiences that very few people get to have and ones that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

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Kristin Hulburt
Plans: Master of Humanities, University of Chicago
B.A. in Ancient Studies and Philosophy
Hometown: Missoula, Montana

No obstacle is too large for Kristin Hulburt to overcome. Despite her dyslexia, she was able to master ancient Greek, and will graduate summa cum laude. Hulburt is a member of UMBC’s Honors College, vice president of Philosophers Anonymous and a founding member of Women Interested in Philosophy. She assisted with translation and was stage manager/producer for the Ancient Studies Club’s May 2006 production of Aristophanes’ Frogs.

“In the humanities at UMBC I have found the most amazing, talented and caring faculty and students. I am honored to have worked with such amazing people.”

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Nicolas M. Johnson
Plans: M.D./Ph.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Hometown: Columbia, Maryland

A Meyerhoff Scholar, Nicolas M. Johnson had several significant hands-on research opportunities. In addition to conducting HIV research with Howard Hughes Medical Investigator and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mike Summers at UMBC, Johnson worked with Professor of Neuroscience David Ginty at the Johns Hopkins University and participated in the HHMI Undergraduate Scholars Program. She presented her research at the 18th Symposium of the Protein Society and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. The 2006 recipient of the National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship, Johnson is also a UMBC MARC U*STAR Scholar, and a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and the National Society for Collegiate Scholars.

"My experience at UMBC has provided me with many opportunities to conduct undergraduate research, while giving me a quality education under the instruction of dedicated faculty. UMBC has adequately prepared me for my future scholastic endeavors."

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Joe Jones
Plans: Continue as President of the Center for Fathers, Families and Workforce Development
B.A. in Social Work
Minor in Political Science
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Joe Jones, who has served as an advisor to former Vice President and presidential candidate Al Gore, is founder and president of the Center for Fathers, Families and Workforce. He is a graduate of the Weinberg Foundation Fellows Program, is vice chair of the Open Society Institute’s Baltimore Fund and completed a practicum in the Mayor’s Office of Children, Youth and Families. In March, he was one of several commentators for a PBS feature on the struggles of African American men.

"My time at UMBC has been one of the most gratifying and challenging experiences of my life. The faculty set a standard for excellence that will benefit me as I move further into a demanding world that accepts no excuses if you are to succeed."

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Andrew Kohlway
Plans: Ph.D. in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics, Yale
B.S. in Bioinformatics
Minor in Mathematics
Hometown: Sykesville, Maryland

In addition to his research experiences at UMBC, Meyerhoff Scholar Andrew Kohlway has attended several summer research programs at other universities. He participated in the Summer Research Undergraduate Program at Yale University and Bioinformatics and Bioengineering Summer Institutes at Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. At UMBC, he has conducted chemistry research with Professors Susan Gregurick and Daniele Fabris. A UMBC MARC U*STAR Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa, Kohlway recently received a Goldwater Scholarship, awarded to outstanding mathematics, natural sciences or engineering majors who are committed to pursuing research careers, and a UMBC Alumni Award for Outstanding Undergraduates. He has also been a tutor in the Chemistry Tutorial center.

“UMBC has provided me with so many opportunities throughout my four years here. I am thankful that I have been supported the entire time by the UMBC faculty, administration and, of course, my family.”

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Brian Krummel
Plans: Ph.D. in Mathematics, Stanford University
B.S. in Mathematics
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Brian Krummel has conducted research in differential geometry in two Research Experience for Undergraduates programs at Tulane University and Lafayette College. Krummel’s thesis in differential geometry was funded by a UMBC Undergraduate Research Award. Recently named an Outstanding Graduating Senior in Mathematics, he was president of the Math Honor Society, Pi Mu Epsilon, and the Mathematics and Statistics Council of Majors. Krummel hopes to become a mathematics professor and conduct research.

"UMBC has provided me with the environment and wealth of opportunities that I have needed to succeed. My interactions with the faculty and my peers have allowed me to grow both academically and personally. I will always cherish my time at UMBC."

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Hye Won Lee
Plans: Doctor of Dental Medicine, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
B.S. in Psychology
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Hye Won Lee has been nominated by UMBC for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarship, a national award that supports graduate or professional study for outstanding students who have financial need and have overcome obstacles to their education. Lee has worked at the National Institutes of Health, Dental and Craniofacial Research and the National Institute of Health, Nursing Research divisions. She recently presented a paper at the annual conference of the American Pain Society. Lee, who is listed in the 2005 Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, recently received a Distinguished Achievement Award in Psychology. She hopes to eventually pursue a Master of Public Health. In addition to her research experiences, Lee participates in volunteer work, including teaching Korean language, culture and history to adopted children from Korea, and is a percussionist at her church.

“At UMBC, I found amazing professors and friends, and challenging experiences.”

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Lindsay Mannchen
Plans: SAIC
B.S. in Information Systems
Minor in Psychology
Hometown: St. Charles, Maryland

Lindsay Mannchen is a member of the first graduating class of UMBC CWIT (Center for Women and Information Technology) Scholars. As part of the Enhancing Science and Technology Education and Exploration Mentoring (ESTEEM) program, she volunteered her time to help pique young girls’ interest in technology. A founding member of Alpha Sigma Kappa, a sorority for women in technical studies, she was recently named an Outstanding Senior in Information Systems and received a UMBC Alumni Award for Outstanding Undergraduates. Mannchen also volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club and the Humane Society, and helped start a women’s Frisbee team at UMBC.

“UMBC has helped shape me as a leader and as a young woman, and I feel extremely confident about making my way in the world of information technology. Because UMBC truly cares about its undergraduates, I have had more opportunities here than I would have anywhere else. This school has provided me with all the tools, skills and support I need to become a successful and confident businesswoman.”

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Paulette Martinez
Plans: Special Education Teacher, Teach for America (Texas)
B.A. in Modern Languages and Linguistics
Hometown: West Islip, New York

Prior to her studies at UMBC, returning student Paulette Martinez worked as a Master Well Driller, a union tile setter, and in the environmental restoration field, breaking barriers for women in all fields. She graduates with a 4.O GPA, and recently received an Overall Academic Achievement Award in Modern Languages and Linguistics. Martinez volunteered with the Hispanic Youth Symposium, a program hosted on the UMBC campus designed to offer practical help and inspiration for Hispanic high school students who are considering attending college.

“I have greatly benefited from the open intellectual community of UMBC and from the diverse experiences and opinions of my peers and professors. My time at UMBC has helped me to understand the impact each individual can have and has strengthened my commitment make a positive contribution to my community.”

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Skylar Neil
Plans: M.A. in Classical Archeology, Tufts
B.A. in Ancient Studies
Hometown: Wall, New Jersey

Skylar Neil will spend this summer as an intern with the Lost Towns Archeological Project in Annapolis, Md. She recently received the Christopher Sherwin Award, given to an outstanding major for archeological excavation or travel/study abroad and in 2005 received the Robert and Jane Shedd Award for Excellence in Ancient Studies, which funded her archeological research project in Greece. Neil assisted with the translation for the Ancient Studies Club’s May 2006 production of Aristophanes’ Frogs. She is the past captain and president of UMBC’s Women’s Rugby team.

"For me, the best parts about UMBC have been my singular experiences with both the ancient studies department and the women's rugby team. Never have I encountered such dedicated and passionate groups of people, committed to success despite adversity. They serve as proof that there are amazing opportunities at UMBC, if one takes the initiative to look."

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Nicole Onyeneho
Plans: Ph.D., University of Michigan in Macromolecular Science
B.S. in Chemical Engineering
Minor in Sociology
Hometown: Elmsford, New York

Meyerhoff Scholar Nicole Onyeneho was recently named the National Society of Black Engineers National Distinguished Member of the Year. Active with the group for five years and president for two, Onyeneho’s leadership in 2004 helped UMBC’s chapter win the Society’s Student Organization of the Year award. She recently received an award for Highest Academic Achievement of Seniors Majoring in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. Onyeneho is a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. After receiving her Ph.D., Onyeneho hopes to conduct research in the areas of biomaterials and drug delivery.

"The UMBC experience is truly what you make of it. Opportunities abound for academic, leadership and personal growth. While at UMBC, I have been able to accomplish goals within each of these realms that I would have never thought possible. But it was with the encouragement of my unwavering support structure here at UMBC that I have been able to realize these goals. The support that faculty and staff offer to students is unmatched. Anytime your advisor is willing to sit and talk with you until 7 o'clock in the evening, you can be assured that he believes in your potential for success."

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Asynith Palmer
Plans: Fulbright Scholar, Faulkner Foundation, Universite de Rennes, France
B.A. in English
B.A. in Modern Languages and Linguistics/French
Hometown: Severna Park, Maryland

Humanities Scholar Asynith Palmer is one of four UMBC students to receive a 2006-07 Fulbright Scholarship. Palmer will travel to France, where she will continue her ongoing research on the French admiration of William Faulkner’s literary work and sharpen her skills in reading, writing and speaking French. A UMBC 2005-06 Undergraduate Research Award enabled her to study for two weeks at the Universite de Renne’s Faulkner Foundation, and she presented her work at UMBC’s 2006 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day. She has also participated in a study abroad program at the University of Nice International School. At UMBC, Palmer worked as a research assistant for UMBC Professors Christoph Irmscher (English) and Elaine Rusinko (Russian studies). She was co-editor of the UMBC Review, a journal of undergraduate research and creative works, and founder of UMBC’s Running Club. She recently received a UMBC Alumni Award for Outstanding Undergraduates. After completing her Fulbright year, she plans to enter a Ph.D. program at the University of Michigan.

“I didn’t think it was possible to get so much out of a college experience. In my four years as a UMBC student, I have discussed literature with internationally renowned scholars, edited a research journal and crossed the ocean to study an author who moved me. My incredibly devoted professors helped me make the most of these opportunities. Their enthusiasm for learning continues to inspire me.”

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Sarah Pueschel
Plans: D.V.M., Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech
B.A. in Ancient Studies
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Hometown: Essex, Maryland

A member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Golden Key National Honor Society, Sarah Pueschel’s dual degrees reflect her love of both history and animals. Pueschel has been a vet tech at the Animal Medical Clinic of Dulaney Valley since she was 16. While her main interest is small animal internal medicine, she is looking forward to gaining experience with large animals while in veterinary school. Pueschel hopes to eventually have her own practice.

“UMBC has helped me to realize my dream of going to vet school. I have made friends that have supported me and helped me stayed focused. I have had professors that have constantly encouraged me. The strenuous classes have prepared me for the years of study to come.”

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Arun Ram
Plans: Booz-Allen Hamilton
B.S. in Computer Engineering
Hometown: Laurel, Maryland

After transferring to UMBC, Arun Ram took advantage of the University’s many opportunities for undergraduates to conduct research. He worked with Professors Govind Rao and Iordan Kostov on biosensor research, helping to design and program a mechanical apparatus that controlled the mixing of chemical agents on a biosensor. Ram was a co-author on two papers about the research published in peer-reviewed journals.

"Having transferred from another institution, the most striking aspect of UMBC is its focus and excellence on teaching. It is not enough to have intelligent faculty, faculty must have the ability to impart complex concepts in a simple manner, for the primary purpose of any University must be to teach and to teach well. I can honestly say that UMBC has faculty who are excellent in their area of expertise and have the ability to teach."

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Caitlin Reavey
Plans: Ph.D., Harvard Medical School
B.S. in Biochemistry
Hometown: Frederick, Maryland

Caitlin Reavey won first place at the 8th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences in 2006, and has been active in research on yeast genetics with UMBC Professor Philip Farabaugh. A member of UMBC’s Honors College, she recently received the William C. and Gregory O. Faith Scholarship. Reavey was president of Alpha Sigma Kappa, Women in Technical Studies, and a chemistry tutor. She hopes to eventually obtain a Ph.D. in genetics.

"UMBC has provided me with an environment in which it is cool to be smart. The enthusiasm of the professors and students for their fields is contagious. I was given the freedom and encouragement to pursue all of my interests."

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Jessica Richards
Plans: Study Manager, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
B.S. in Psychology, concentration in Biopsychology
Certificate in Women’s Studies
Hometown: Glen Burnie, Maryland

Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar Jessica Richards has conducted research at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research on the cognitive and psychological effects of sleep deprivation. A member of UMBC’s Honors College, Richards is a founding member of Women Involved in Learning and Leadership (WILL), a feminist organization that integrates academics and activism in order to raise awareness of women’s issues. A recent recipient of a Distinguished Achievement Award in Psychology and two UMBC Alumni Awards for Outstanding Undergraduates (English and Women’s Studies), she is co-president of the UMBC chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society of Psychology, and has served in many leadership roles in the last four years with Best Buddies, a community service organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities. At Walter Reed, she will continue her research as a study manager on a sleep restriction study. In the future she would like to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

"UMBC has provided me with opportunities to gain leadership experience, provide service to my community, enhance my research and analytical skills, expand my academic and intellectual interests and pursue my passions. With the help of the amazing faculty here at UMBC, I have gained the knowledge and confidence to succeed as both a scholar and a professional."

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Claire Ryan
Plans: M.A. in Classical Art and Archeology, Kings College, University of London
B.A. in Ancient Studies
Minor in History
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

A Humanities Scholar with a love for classical languages, literature and archaeology, Claire Ryan spent last summer participating in an excavation of a Roman villa in England, an experience that was funded by the Washington D.C. Explorers’ Club. Prior to her trip to England, she studied in Wales. A member of UMBC’s Honors College, Ryan served as co-vice president of the Ancient Studies Club and assisted with translation and performed several roles in the club’s May 2006 production of Aristophanes’ Frogs.

“UMBC has given me a wonderful four years, and I greatly appreciate all the friendships, experiences, and opportunities I have discovered here. I have had incredible professors and courses, and I leave with a greater understanding of myself, as both a student and a person, and of the world around me.”

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Len Salter
Plans: Fulbright Scholar, Teaching English in Malaysia
B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Gales Ferry, Connecticut

Len Salter is one of four UMBC students to receive a 2006-07 Fulbright Scholarship. Salter will use his teaching grant to teach English in Malaysian high schools and universities. Salter has worked for Pfizer for three summers conducting immunology research. He is a member of UMBC’s Honors College and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and served as president of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. He has also been a chemistry assistant for three semesters, researching experiments, collecting materials and demonstrating the experiments to his peers. When Salter returns from Malaysia, he plans on applying to doctoral programs in immunology, biomedical engineering, protein imaging or stem cell research.

"UMBC has given me a chance to find out who I am as an individual, what I am capable of, and most importantly, the drive to set lofty goals and see them through to their completion."

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Rebecca Stephen
Plans: Ph.D., University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
B.A. in Ancient Studies
Minor in Judaic Studies
Hometown: Mount Savage, Maryland

Rebecca Stephen has participated in archeological projects in Annapolis, Md., New York and Greece, and also studied abroad in Rome. She recently received an Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in Judaic Studies and a UMBC Alumni Award for Outstanding Undergraduates. Stephen was resident authentic Greek costume expert for the Ancient Studies Club’s May 2006 production of Aristophanes’ Frogs.

"I came to UMBC already knowing my major and what I wanted to do after graduation. Though I did not stray from that path, the side roads that I took enriched me as a student and a human being. In spending time with students from other universities both here and abroad, I realize that the liberal education that I gained at UMBC was quite unique, and I feel privileged to have received such a multifaceted education.”

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Janet Tai
Plans: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
B.S. in Biochemistry
Hometown: Frederick, Maryland

Meyerhoff and MARC U*STAR Scholar Janet Tai has participated in summer research programs at MIT and Stanford University. At UMBC, she conducted HIV research with Howard Hughes Medical Investigator and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mike Summers, and presented research at the University’s 2006 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day.

“Along with its rigorous curriculum, UMBC has provided numerous research opportunities that will prepare me for my graduate studies. I didn’t fully appreciate the diverse student body and faculty at UMBC until I had visited other universities. Just by walking through The Commons, I was exposed to various cultures, and I am truly thankful for that. This journey has been a growing and rewarding experience, and I hope that my future will be just as exciting.”

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Brendan Tauras
Plans: M.F.A. in Saxophone Performance, Penn State University
B.A. in Music Performance
Hometown: Perkasie, Pennsylvania

Brendan Tauras, a UMBC Linehan Artist Scholar and Music and Teaching Fellow, has performed with many University ensembles, including the Musicum Collegium Medieval Recorder Ensemble, Chamber Players, Jazz Big Band and Saxophone Quartet. He performed at the 23rd Annual New England Saxophone Symposium. Tauras is a member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society for students in computer science and Golden Key International Honor Society. In addition, he was a systems administrator for UMBC’s Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and a UMBC Ambassador, conducting tours and providing information for prospective UMBC students and their parents. He recently received an Achievement Award in Music and a UMBC Alumni Award for Outstanding Undergraduates.

“UMBC and the Linehan Artist Scholars program have given me many unique experiences in artistic and technical fields. UMBC has helped me link music and computer science and understand relationships between technology and the arts. These experiences have taught me many skills necessary for my career goals of combining music and technology.”

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Stephen Uithoven
Plans: Assistant Software Engineer, RWD Technologies, a bwtech@UMBC company
B.A. in Visual Arts/Imaging and Digital Arts
Minor in Computer Science
Hometown: West Friendship, Maryland

An internship during summer and winter breaks turned into full-time employment for Stephen Uithoven, who also manages his own Web design and development company, Solar Flare Studios, in his spare time. Uithoven began working as a programming intern at RWD Technologies, located at bwtech@UMBC, the University’s research and technology park, in the summer of 2004, and continued his internship during his winter and summer breaks at UMBC. Previously, he worked on eLearning development at The Vision Cube.

“UMBC has provided excellent academic support even though I went through a broad arc of majors. Starting out with an excellent mechanical engineering program and then following my true calling to equally outstanding visual arts and computer sciences programs can not be done at just any university. In addition, UMBC helped me find my internship at RWD, and once I graduated I was able to seamlessly enter my full-time position because of it.”

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Wambui Wamae-Kamiru
Plans: Return to Kenya to Work with Dagoretti United Sister’s Club (women’s soccer team), Write and Produce Film
B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (“Development Studies: International Perspectives on Community and Gender”)
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

Originally from Kenya, Wambui Wamae-Kamiru transferred to UMBC in 2004. She recently received an Academic Achievement Award in Interdisciplinary Studies. In the summer of 2005 she received a UMBC Honors College grant to interview outstanding Kenyan women. She has received the Baltimore Sun Excellence in Advertising and Journalism Scholarship and volunteers with the International Rescue Committee. During the summer she will work with the Women's Panorama at the Zanzibar International Film Festival, which showcases the art and expression of women from regions around the Indian Ocean. Wamae-Kamiru plans to write and produce a biographical film about a former woman Mau Mau freedom fighter. Upon her return from Kenya, she would like to attend a graduate program in international development.

"In designing my major through the INDS department here at UMBC, I have been privileged to put together all my interests bringing into focus who I am, where I am and where I want to be in order to help others. Through the McNair Program and the Honors College I gained support for my research, taking theory and making it practice. UMBC has been my incubation period and with what it has endowed me with in terms of learning and experience through internship, I am ready to take on the world!"

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Geoff Bell
Plans: To Teach Art and Technology
M.F.A. in Imaging and Digital Arts
Hometown: Norwalk, New York

A 2005 recipient of the RTKL Scholarship, which recognizes excellence in the visual arts, Geoff Bell was recently invited to participate in an exhibition at the prestigious Eyebeam Gallery in New York City. Bell also worked with UMBC faculty and graduate students on a collaborative art project with faculty and students at the University of Applied Sciences in Schwabisch Hall, Germany. One of Bell’s films received third place in the experimental film category at the International Film Festival in Germany.

"UMBC has been an amazing place to develop as an artist. The school not only has some of the best resources for new media artists, but offers a great interdisciplinary arena to gain knowledge and collaborate with scholars from different fields. Some of the insights gained from my experience at UMBC will stay with me for the rest of my career."

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Carlise Bethel
Plans: Post-doctoral Program in Cancer Research, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences
Hometown: Fort Washington, Maryland

Meyerhoff Graduate Fellow Carlise Bethel, who received her B.S. from UMBC in 1994, is the first African-American to graduate from UMBC with a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology. During her busy graduate career, she also married and had two children. Bethel received the Acres of Diamonds Award at the National Institutes of Health Minority Training Research Forum the Pre-doctoral Fellowship Award from the National Cancer Institute.

“What makes UMBC a jewel is the strong sense of community shared by the diverse faculty, staff and students. The faculty and staff at UMBC are enthusiastic about propelling students forward and preparing them for the future. UMBC is devoted to investing in the students and taking the time to develop their talents. I have enjoyed the company of scholars, and my experiences on this campus have been crucial to my personal and professional development.”

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Katherine de Medeiros
Plans: Continue Work as Senior Research Fellow, Copper Ridge Institute
Ph.D. in Gerontology
Hometown: Medina, Ohio

Kathryn de Medeiros is the first student to graduate from UMBC with a Ph.D. in Gerontology. After receiving a B.A. in English from Northwestern University in 1989, and a M.S. in Gerontology from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1999, she was awarded the National Institutes of Health Individual Pre-doctoral Fellowship to study depression in the elderly. The fellowship enabled de Medeiros to take additional class work at UMBC as well as at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins University, and to complete her dissertation. She is a founding member of the Delta Lambda Chapter of Sigma Phi Omega, a national gerontology honor society. She recently became a senior research fellow at the Copper Ridge Institute in Sykesville, Md, a dementia research institute in affiliation with Johns Hopkins University.

"When I was looking into doctoral programs in aging, I made a "wish list" of the best possible scenario: a heavy focus on research, coursework to help me expand my previous training in language, linguistics and aging, and contact with nationally recognized faculty. I found all of these and more at UMBC."

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Giuliano Scarcelli
Plans: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biomedical Optics, Harvard
Ph.D. in Applied Physics
Hometown: Bari, Italy

Born and raised in Italy, Giuliano Scarcelli came to the U.S. to study quantum optics at UMBC. During his graduate career he conducted experimental research in quantum and imaging optics. He plans to explore the possibility of translating this new quantum imaging technology into real-life imaging applications in medical research.

"My experience has been great, and now, leaving makes me a little sad. I have enjoyed the organization of the campus, the Soccer Club, but most of all the physics department. There, I have found reachable, capable and caring people who have been valuable mentors and great role models. I hope to come back in the future."

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Colleen Shaughnessy
Plans: Adjunct ESL Instructor, Beloit College
M.A. in Instructional Systems Development
Hometown: Springfield, Illinois

After working as a high school science teacher for the Peace Corps in Ghana, Colleen Shaughnessy came to UMBC to pursue a M.A. in ESOL/Bilingual Education. She recently received the Albert T. Marckwardt Travel Grant from TESOL, which is awarded to only four graduate students in the world. Shaughnessy participated in the design and implementation of diversity training for employees of UMBC’s Choice Program, a community-based, family-centered case management approach to delinquency prevention and youth development. She also facilitated collaborative efforts between Baltimore City Community College and UMBC to tutor Somali Bantu children. Shaughnessy recently presented her research at the 2006 UMBC-UMB Graduate Research Conference.

"UMBC has allowed me a great deal of flexibility in creatively involving others in my experiences teaching English and literacy to adult refugees in Baltimore City. My professors and colleagues have encouraged me to apply my experiences to research and helped me to share the unique practical tools I gained from this teaching opportunity with fellow graduate students and professionals in my field."

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Effie Shockley
Plans: Research Analyst at U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group
Ph.D. in Public Policy
Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia

Effie Shockley, who graduated with a M.P.P. from UMBC in 2004, has received the University’s Jessica Soto Perez Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Shockley was a research assistant at the Center for Maternal and Child Health, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygene, and for several years has served as graduate community coordinator for UMBC’s Office of Graduate Student Life. She is also active with the Graduate Student Association.

“My graduate academic career at UMBC has been a life altering experience through which I learned a tremendous amount in my discipline. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have studied at UMBC and been part of such a stellar institution. I look forward to continuing my relationship with UMBC as an active alumnus.”

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Farris Shuggi
Plans: Ph.D. in Economics, Washington University in St. Louis
M.A. in Economic Policy Analysis
Hometown: Walkersville, Maryland

During his graduate career, Farris Shuggi worked as a research affiliate at the Office of Policy Development and Research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the economics honors society, Shuggi received his Bachelor of Science in Financial Economics from UMBC in 2004.

"UMBC combines the attention of a small college with the resources of a large university. If you are ready to work hard, success awaits you here."

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Wan Hsi Yuan
Plans: Continue Working with OpenPosting.com
M.S. in Information Systems
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan

Entrepreneur Wan Hsi Yuan co-founded OpenPosting.com, the first online classified community for college students, with UMBC undergraduate Jason Servary. The site now has 1500 registered users and receives about 4,000 page views per day. While they look for funding to help bring OpenPosting to a national audience, Yuan and Servary are participating in the Alex. Brown Center’s IdeaLab at techcenter@UMBC, which offers support for faculty and students engaged in the start-up phase of high-technology companies. They recently won the UMBC Business Plan Competition and are finalists for the annual Mosh Pit Business Plan Competition sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Technology Center. Yuan also tutors students in information systems.

“Throughout graduate school, I was able to apply OpenPosting.com to more than half of my course projects. My professors are very supportive, especially my advisor, Dr. Ozok, who is always there for me when I need help.”

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