James Wiggins, '75
Attorney
Co-Founder, Second Generation Scholarships

UMBC: For those who aren't familiar with it, explain what the Second Generation Scholarship is.

JW: The Second Generation Scholarship was started back in the 1980s by a group of African American alumni who wanted to give back to the campus and be more involved in what was going on at UMBC at that time. The founding members also included David Young, Harry Johnson, Diane Bell-McKoy, Donna Gaither, Michael Gambrill, Lynette Young, and Wendall Sutton. We wanted the fund to assist continuing students. Our thoughts were that continuing student funds tend to be lowered the longer they stay in college, so we wanted to try to give them a chance to finish at UMBC by assisting them monetarily.

UMBC: Did you see a need on campus that brought about the scholarship?

JW: There wasn't a particular need, but in about 1985, UMBC had a new president, Michael Hooker, who wanted to get African American alumni more involved with the school. Once we met with Michael Hooker and had an opportunity to see his vision for UMBC, we decided we wanted to be involved with that process. One way to be involved was to contribute back to the school. Generally, there's a general belief that African American alumni don't give back to their alma maters if such schools are predominantly white, but in this instance it was something that our original group wanted to do.

UMBC: You've been active alum in many ways; what keeps you inspired to stay involved with the school?

JW: Since graduating from UMBC, I have always been invited back by African American faculty and staff to speak to students interested in graduate school and the legal profession. I was honored that they believed I had something to offer UMBC students. For the past four years, I've been teaching at UMBC as an adjunct professor in the Africana Studies department. I teach about the criminal justice process and the effect it has on the African American community. My time as a student was very enjoyable, and I think I did well by going to UMBC. It gave me a competitive education that enabled me to pursue a legal career. There were individuals at UMBC like Al Joyner, Betty Glascoe and Dr. Daphne Harrison who were instrumental in supporting me and pushing me to do greater things, and the administration has done an excellent job of staying in contact with me and with other African American alums that I know, so I look at staying involved as giving back. I think sometimes students need to know there's a light at the end of the tunnel. That you can get through UMBC and when you do, you will do well.

UMBC: What do you see as UMBC's greatest asset today?

JW: The University's greatest asset, I believe, is its faculty. You look at UMBC and its full-time faculty and it's really impressive. Also, Freeman Hrabowski and his ability to beat the drums for things to happen on campus are inspiring. And the student body is just getting better and better every year.

The one thing students should realize is that if they do well at UMBC, they will be able to compete against anybody. I don't care if they're competing against Ivy Leaguers, UMBC grads will be competitive.

Just the prestige that has come to UMBC over the years has enhanced the value of my diploma! There's been an incredible change from the time I attended and how things are now. It was primarily a commuter school back then and we had only two dorms when I started and we had three when I graduated. We had about six or seven buildings and now it's just incredible.

UMBC: Where would you like to see UMBC head in the future?

JW: I haven't thought that much about that, but clearly it is heading to be competitive with other schools focused on math and science. It's more of a math and science school now than it was when I was attending. If I had a recommendation, I would say the school should not lose focus on the arts and humanities.

UMBC: What do you feel when you think about the students who have benefited from the scholarship you helped endow?

JW: I feel proud to be part of an organization that has been involved with UMBC for over 20 years in trying to give assistance to worthy students to help them finish their careers at UMBC. I hadn't really thought of it in that fashion. I just see it as giving something back. There were people who assisted me, maybe not monetarily, but they gave me assistance. Now, through the Second Generation Scholarship, I have been able to help others in some small way.

UMBC: What would you say to other alumni to encourage them to support UMBC?

JW: People need to make their own choices as to how they remember their time at UMBC and whether they believe that the education they gained at UMBC contributed to who they are now. I believe that if they honestly assess the time spent at UMBC and their current status in life, they will have to acknowledge that it was the education and training we got at UMBC that allowed us to become successful in our walks of life. I feel that we have a unique opportunity to be part of UMBC's legacy. UMBC is definitely on the move.

UMBC: When you aren't involved at UMBC, what do you do both professionally and personally?

JW: Professionally, I'm a solo practioner and that takes a lot of my time, no question about it. My legal practice is focused primarily on bankruptcy, estate administration, some civil litigation and other odds and ends. In my regular life outside of work, I enjoy bowling, and my wife and I are really into hand dancing which is similar to swing dancing. Hand dancing is something we really enjoy doing together and it is a form of exercise. And of course, going to sporting events. I also enjoy playing pinochle with other UMBC alums. We have played regularly for more than twenty-five years.

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