Student Affairs Administrators Assume National Leadership Roles
Charles J. Fey, vice president for student affairs and Patty Perillo, assistant vice president for student affairs and director student life, have both been elected to national positions within the two leading student affairs professional associations.

Fey began his role as the Region II vice president for Student Affairs in Higher Education (NASPA) in April 2007. A long-time member of NASPA and Student Educators International (ACPA), Fey is interested in creating a more inclusive region and providing effective and innovative ways that more members can participate in the region. During his term as Region II vice president, Fey will focus on three areas: promoting diversity and inclusiveness; soliciting more professionals to volunteer to serve NASPA Region II/eliciting more member input on services and activities and positioning the profession for success.

Perillo will become the vice president for ACPA effective July 1. The three-year role includes the first year as vice president followed by a year as president and the last year as past president.

UMBC Student Entrepreneurs Competed in GBTC’s MoshPit Finals
UMBC student entrepreneurs were among several aspiring collegiate business owners that competed in the April 26 Mosh Pit finals, sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Technology Council. Biblogg, the team from UMBC, created a community Web site for Christians worldwide to unite and interact. The team also placed second in UMBC’s Business Plan Competition.

The Maryland Daily Record covered the competition in “Tech Council’s MoshPit Mixes Student Inventors, Advisors.” One of Biblogg’s creators, Chiedozie Unachukwu, who is pursuing a master’s degree at UMBC, was quoted in the article.
http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=1043&type=UTTM

UMBC Tennis Team Receives ITA National Team Sportsmanship Award
The UMBC men's tennis team is the recipient of April’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Team Sportsmanship Award. According to the ITA’s Web site, the monthly award is presented to “one men's and one women's team that has exemplified outstanding sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct in the true spirit of competition and collegiate tennis.”
http://www.itatennis.com/Awards/sshipapril07.htm

April 20, 2007

Christopher Corbett Wins Award for Editorial Writing
Christopher Corbett, acting chair of the Department of English, received first place for editorial writing in 2006 by the Maryland Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists.

The award was for Corbett’s column in Baltimore Style magazine. A former editor with the Associated Press, Corbett has written The Back Page for Style since 1994 – the column has been twice awarded best column by the City and Regional Magazine Association.

Corbett’s most recent book was Orphans Preferred: The Twisted Truth and Lasting Legend of the Pony Express (Random House/Broadway Books). He is writing another book on the 19th century American West.

The awards will be presented May 20 when the SPJ holds its annual meeting.

http://www.baltimorestyle.com/index.php/style/backpage

Warren Belasco, American Studies, Speaks at European Commission International Conference
Warren Belasco, professor of American studies, spoke about the history of the future of food at the European Commission's recent international conference, "Perspectives for Food 2030," held in Brussels, Belgium April 17-18. For more information about this important meeting attended by top European agriculture and food ministers, technologists and manufacturers: http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2007/food2030/index_en.htm

The conference was streamed live, and Belasco was interviewed by Italian and French news media.

April 13, 2007

Appa Anjanappa, Mechanical Engineering, Receives Patent for Cell Sorting Invention
Congratulations to Appa Anjanappa, professor of mechanical engineering, for his issued U.S. patent #7,160,730, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Cell Sorting.” For an explanation of the invention, visit http:// www.uspto.gov, and click on Patents. If you would like more information on patents, copyrights or start up companies, visit the Office of Technology Development's Web site at http://www.umbc.edu/otd.

Rebecca Boehling, History, Invited Lecturer for Annual King-Beauregard Lecture Series
Rebecca Boehling, associate professor of history, was the invited lecturer for the Second Annual King-Beauregard Lecture Series at the University of Dayton on March 28. She spoke on "The Use and Abuse of Historical Comparison: The American Occupations of Germany and Iraq."

Weidong Zhu, Mechanical Engineering, to Serve on ASME Committee and as Associate Editor of ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics
Weidong Zhu, professor of mechanical engineering, will serve on the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) Technical Committee on Vibration and Sound (TCVS) and as an associate editor of the ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics. Zhu is an NSF CAREER award recipient and is the principal investigator on multiple research grants sponsored by federal agencies and the industry. He is a leading internationally known expert in the area of dynamics of flexible structures, elevator dynamics and non-destructive damage detection in slender flexible structures.

April 6, 2007

ACTiVATE Participant Wins StartRight! Competition
Kris Appel of Newregen Inc., is the recipient of at $10,000 award from Rockville Economic Development Inc.'s (REDI) annual StartRight! Competition for developing technology that aids in stroke recovery. Appel is a participant in UMBC’s ACTiVATE program, which trains women with significant technical or business experience to be entrepreneurs.
http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2007/03/26/daily41.html

Senior Issac Matthews Named 2007 Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar of the Year
Senior mechanical engineering major Issac Matthews is featured in Diverse’s “Shattering Stereotypes” about Matthews’ high-level of performance in the classroom and on the track. Matthews is the 2007 Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar of the Year. LaMont Toliver, director of the Meyerhoff Scholars program, and David Bobb, UMBC’s head track and field coach, were quoted.
http://www.diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_7182.shtml

Dale Bittinger, Undergraduate Admission and Orientation, in the Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education profiled Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation Dale Bittinger as one of the “10 Admissions Deans Who Are Shaping Their Field.”
[Subscription Required.]

Christopher Corbett, English, in Baltimore Style Magazine
In “Armed and Dangerous?,” Interim Chair of English Christopher Corbett reviews the Silverado Gun Show in his latest Baltimore Style Magazine column. http://www.baltimorestyle.com/index.php/style/backpage/

UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski in the Baltimore Sun
UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski was quoted on April 25 in the Baltimore Sun’s “Arts Grants to Encourage Dialogue on Race Relations.” The Maryland Humanities Council announced it will provide $500,000 in grants to fund forums, seminars and other activities that will stimulate community conversations through arts and the humanities. The program, known as the King initiatives, is named after slain Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King and commemorates the 40th anniversary of his assassination.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.king25apr25,1,736982.story

Incubator Companies in the Baltimore Examiner
Two techcenter@UMBC incubator companies, Cognate Bioservices Inc. and Theradigm, were featured in the Baltimore Examiner on April 18 in “Maryland Stem Cell Industry Budding.” Cognate Bioservices’ President Alan Smith was quoted in the article about his company’s work.
http://www.examiner.com/a-680176%7EMaryland_s_stem_cell_industry_budding.html

Both companies were also mentioned in the Baltimore Examiner on April 18 in “Stem Cell Commission Weighing Applicants for Research Grants.” The companies have applied for grants that fund stem cell research and will be awarded by the Stem Cell Commission.
http://www.examiner.com/a-680177%7EStem_Cell_Commission_weighing_applicants_for_research_grants.html

Raj Kumar, Biochemistry, in the Baltimore Sun
Raj Kumar, a senior biochemistry major, was featured in the Baltimore Sun’s “Glimpsed,” which showcased Kumar’s style of fashion. The article appeared on April 22.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/custom/modernlife/bal-ml.glimpsed22apr22,0,1122542.story?coll=bal-modernlife-headlines

Jason Loviglio, American Studies, on the Marc Steiner Show
On Monday, April 23, Jason Loviglio, assistant professor of American studies, appeared on WYPR’s Marc Steiner show to discuss our society’s obsession with violence.
http://www.wypr.org/M_Steiner.html

Joanie Kvech O'Brien '82, in the Jeffersonian
On April 24, the Jeffersonian featured Joanie Kvech O'Brien '82, sociology, in “UMBC Graduate Returns, Leads Terrorism Task Force.” O’Brien supervises international and domestic terrorism investigations in the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Woodlawn.
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=811&NewsID=801005&CategoryID=9045&show=localnews&om=1

UMBC Research Park in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun profiled bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park in its April 27 “UMBC Research Park on Roll.” Ellen Hemmerly, executive director of the UMBC Research Park Corp., and Robert Deutsch, chairman of RWD Technology, the first and largest tenant in the park, were quoted in the article. Piyush Naik ’04, who interned at BDMetrics, a techcenter@UMBC company, while earning a master’s in computer science from UMBC was featured in the article. The company hired Naik after he graduated.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.umbc27apr27,0,759977.story?coll=bal-business-headlines

April 20, 2007

Paula Carder, Erickson School, in Assisted Living Consult
Paul Carder, assistant professor in the Erickson School, co-wrote “Medication “Management: Integrating the Social and Medical Models,” published in Assisted Living Consult. The article analyzes policies and procedures for medication safety in assisted living facilities.
http://www.assistedlivingconsult.com/issues/03-02/ALC03-02_MedMgmt.pdf

J. Kevin Eckert, Erickson School, in the Birmingham News
Dean of the Erickson School J. Kevin Eckert said turning 50 for some people has both practical and symbolic meanings in the Birmingham News’ “The Many Meanings of 5-0,” which was published on April 15.
http://www.al.com/living/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/living/117662676312880.xml&coll=2

Joe Gribbin, Erickson School, in the Baltimore Sun
Joe Gribbin, affiliate professor in the Erickson School, discussed social security reform in the Baltimore Sun’s April 15 “Satire Lowers the Boom on Social Security.”
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/custom/modernlife/bal-ml.boomer15apr15,0,1222550.story?coll=bal-modernlife-headlines

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s Baltimore Sun column, “Support for the War Helps to Sink McCain,” was published on April 11. Schaller explains why John McCain’s support for the war could hinder his bid for the White House.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller11apr11,0,3786446.story?coll=bal-oped-headlines

UMBC Sailing Team in the Baltimore Sun
On April 14, the Baltimore Sun’s “Regatta Puts Focus on UMBC, Essex Waterfront” reported on the UMBC Sailing team’s two-day collegiate regatta in Essex, Md., held the weekend of April 14. The regatta included teams from Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Marc Zupan, professor of mechanical engineering and the sailing team’s faculty advisor, and senior Rick Dunn, who also served as co-chairman of the regatta, were quoted in the article.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-md.co.regatta14apr14,1,1601951.story?ctrack=3&cset=true

April 13, 2007

ACTiVATE Participant in Washington Post
On March 22, the Washington Post’s “Women's Software Firm Hits the Charts With Medical Device,” announced that Kris Appel of Newregen Inc., received a $10,000 award from Rockville Economic Development Inc.'s (REDI) annual StartRight! Competition. Appel developed technology that aids in stroke recovery. She is a participant in UMBC’s ACTiVATE program (http://www.umbc.edu/activate/), which trains women with significant technical or business experience to be entrepreneurs.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/21/AR2007032101066.html

UMBC, President Freeman Hrabowski in the Chronicle of Higher Education; New York Times
On April 9, the Chronicle of Higher Education published “'Still Young Enough to Be Hungry,'” a feature on Freeman Hrabowski’s 15-year leadership as university president. Also referenced in the article are Kevin Eckert, dean of the Erickson School, and Jack Suess, vice president for information technology and chief information officer.
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i32/32a03001.htm
[Subscription Required.]

In the April 9 New York Times’ “To Close Gaps, Schools Focus on Black Boys” Hrabowski discussed the importance of achievement-gap programs that are specifically designed for male black students.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/nyregion/09school.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

“Highlights: Recent Acquisitions of the Photography Collections” in the Baltimore Sun
A review of the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery’s exhibit, “Highlights: Recent Acquisitions of the Photography Collections,” appeared in the Baltimore Sun on April 11. “Photos Expose Value of UMBC Gallery” gives an overview of some of the 50 photographs that make up the exhibition.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/lifestyle/bal-to.artcol11apr11,0,5216755.column?coll=bal-artslife-today

Barry A. Lanman, Martha Ross Center for Oral History, in the Baltimore Sun
“The Daring Young Man in His Flying Machine,” an article on French aviator Hubert Latham, was published in the Baltimore Sun on April 7. An account of Latham’s flight over Baltimore in 1910 is retold in Halethorpe Heritage: A Story of a Maryland Community written by Barry A. Lanman, director of UMBC’s Martha Ross Center for Oral History.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.backstory07apr07,1,2441132.column

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in Reason Magazine
Reason magazine’s April 2007 issue published a favorable review of Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s book, Whistling Past Dixie: How the Democrats Can Win Without the South in “The West Will Rise Again.”
http://www.reason.com/news/show/119359.html

UMBC in the Baltimore Business Journal
The Baltimore Business Journal on April 10 published “UMBC to Launch Graduate Biotech Programs.” The article reports on two new graduate programs the University will offer in fall 2007 – masters of professional studies in biotechnology and a certificate in professional studies in biotechnology management. http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2007/04/09/daily14.html

Steve Young, Modern Languages and Linguistics, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun’s April 7 “San Francisco Bans Plastic Bags as They Float on Elsewhere” quoted Steve Young, associate professor of modern languages and linguistics, on his weekend ritual of retrieving plastic bags from tree branches.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bal-to.kasper07apr07,1,4804021.column

April 6, 2007

Kris Lindenmeyer, History, in the Hartford Courant
On April 3, the Hartford Courant’s “More Game, Less Shame” quoted Kris Lindenmeyer, professor and chair of history, on historical stereotypes surrounding women's collegiate sports.
http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-womfeat0403.artapr03,0,6002888.story

Don Norris, MIPAR and Public Policy, in Electionline.org
On March 29, Electionline.org’s "Criticisms of Holt Bill Aired" quoted Don Norris about the potential hazards of using paper ballots in elections.
http://www.electionline.org

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
In Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s April 4 Baltimore Sun “President Bush's Worst Broken Promise: Help For the Troops,” Schaller explains why Bush offered false hope to the nation’s troops in his Uniter-Not-Divider's 2000 campaign.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller04apr04,0,4572882.story?coll=bal-oped-headlines

The Department of Human Resources congratulates Bill Shewbridge, manager of the Office of Information Technology’s New Media Studio, and Josephine (Josie) Penn, program management specialist for the English Language Center (ELC), for being named the Employees of the Quarter.

Non-exempt Employee of the Quarter Josephine Penn joined UMBC’s ELC in July 2000 as an administrative assistant.

“Penn’s outstanding work performance, particularly her detailed attention to each student, has contributed to the Center’s success, which witnessed a significant increase in non-credit enrollment over the past six years,” said Paul Taylor, the Center’s academic director.

As a result of Penn’s central role among students, faculty and staff from around the world, she has prioritized developing cross cultural communication skills, and took multiple credit and non-credit courses and workshops to support her efforts. Serving as the primary liaison with various offices such as Residential Life, Food Service, University Health, Campus Card, Parking, Bursar and Police, Penn works closely with these offices to coordinate new student orientation and to ensure ELC students receive excellent student services in order to feel comfortable in their new surroundings.

Penn is currently earning a bachelors in psychology with a concentration in personnel and industrial psychology. She is also a popular part-time aerobic instructor for UMBC.

Shewbridge, the exempt Employee of the Quarter Award recipient, has served as manager of UMBC's New Media Studio since its inception in 2001. He previously worked as a video and multimedia producer and has more than 20 years of experience at UMBC providing educational media support and expertise.

"Shewbridge’s work is distinguished by his patient persistence. He listens well and knows how to 'cut to the chase' of a problem and propose an effective solution," says John Fritz, director of Instructional Technology & New Media. "He is extremely creative and well-versed in all kinds of new media technology (e.g., Web, multimedia, podcasting and video production/streaming). He is also very responsible, doing whatever it takes to complete a project on time to the client's satisfaction."

By working with campus leaders and historians, Shewbridge and his staff produced UMBC’s 40th anniversary oral history video and its interactive timeline. With his leadership, the Studio annually produces over 100 projects with limited number of staff.

He sits on the advisory board of the New Media Consortium's 2007 Horizon Report, which looks at new and emerging technologies over the next one to five years. He also served on the advisory board's 2005 Horizon Report.

Finally, Shewbridge helped serve as a liaison for Retirement Living TV’s (RLTV) temporary relocation in the UMBC TV Studio in ACIV, and served as an advocate for faculty affected by the move. He also led the development of several "Digital Storytelling" projects involving residents at Charlestown Retirement Community, which may likely appear on RLTV as pilots.

Shewbridge holds a B.A in history from UMBC, a M.S. in Instructional Design from Towson University, a certificate in environmental studies from Johns Hopkins University and a Doctor of Communications Design from the University of Baltimore.

TO: The UMBC Community

FROM: Freeman Hrabowski

RE: The Tragedy at Virginia Tech

In the wake of Monday’s tragedy on the campus of Virginia Tech, we want to extend our deepest sympathies to all members of the university community there – students, their families, faculty, staff, and alumni.

We recognize that the tragedy has had profound reverberations on college and university campuses across America, including UMBC. I want you to know that our Emergency Preparedness Council, headed by Dr. Charles Fey, Vice President for Student Affairs, is already intensively reviewing existing university policies regarding campus safety and security, particularly as they relate to the kind of horrific events that occurred at Virginia Tech. We will continue working to strengthen those policies to ensure that our community is as safe as possible. We will keep the UMBC community informed about our progress.

Our Student Government Association will convene an open forum on Friday, April 20, at 12:00 noon in The Commons (2nd floor student organization area). Members of the campus community will have an opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns. Representatives from Counseling Services, Residential Life, Student Life, Campus Police, the Interfaith Center, and the administration will be available.

Members of our University Counseling Services (410-455-2472) are available to anyone on campus who may be in need of support. The website is www.umbc.edu/counseling.

Again, I know that you share my sorrow following yesterday’s tragedy. Please hold the Virginia Tech community in your thoughts and prayers.

TO: UMBC Campus Community

FROM: Charles J. Fey, Ed.D., Vice President for Student Affairs
Patricia A. Perillo, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
Manuel A. Lewis, Acting Chief of Police

RE: Quadmania 2007

DATE: April 17, 2007

As you know, our annual spring festival, Quadmania, will take place on-campus this Friday, April 20th, Saturday, April 21st and Sunday, April 22nd. Friday’s events will include national entertainment (The All American Rejects) in the RAC from 7:30 – 11:00pm and a carnival in Lot 17 from 5:00 – 10:00pm. The carnival will continue on Saturday, with outside live music, from 12:00 – 10:00pm and Sunday from 12:00 – 6pm.

We want to take this opportunity to invite you, your family and friends to attend. We want to especially highlight Sunday as we are working with staff in OIA to target community members for this day. Carnival tickets are available for $10 at the Commons Information Center and concert tickets are available for $30 via Ticketmaster.

In order to facilitate a successful and enjoyable event, we need to prepare space for carnival rides, games and musicians. Starting tomorrow, April 18th, through April 22nd, half of Lot 17 (lot closest to Geffen Hill) will be closed to all non-essential vehicles. Staff in Student Life, Parking Services and Athletics has worked closely together to facilitate this process; there will be minimal impact on parking and scheduled athletic events.

Due to the increase in the number of people on campus throughout the weekend, we are advising campus members of the following:
• Given the significant increase in pedestrian traffic, please stay alert, be mindful of your speed, and remember that pedestrians always have the right of way;

• Please do not leave your car on-campus over this weekend;

• All buildings, except The Commons, A.O.K. Library and Sondheim Building , will be closed and secured over the weekend (as is standard campus protocol) - buildings will be locked, checked and patrolled by campus police;

• Campus police want you to know that if you already have key access to a building on-campus, you will certainly be able to enter. Please note, however, for additional safety purposes, security personnel will ask for appropriate UMBC campus identification before entering. If you do not have key access and will need access to your building over the weekend, for any reason, please contact campus police prior to April 20th. In order to keep buildings secured, access will only be granted in cases where it is absolutely necessary, and when proper UMBC campus identification is shown;

• If you are hosting an event on-campus and you have not registered with or reserved your event through the Campus Scheduling Office already, please contact Manuel Lewis, Acting Chief of Police, at mlewis@umbc.edu or 410-455-3733; and,

• If you would like more information regarding Quadmania 2007 please call the Office of Student Life at 410-455-3462, email Lee Calizo at calizo@umbc.edu, and/or check out the Quadmania website at www.umbc.edu/seb.

Thank you for your cooperation and support of this 25-year UMBC campus tradition.