Bartleby Donates Journals, Faculty Advisor Receives UMBC Award
Bartleby, UMBC's creative arts journal, featuring outstanding student fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and art, is starting the new academic year with two proud announcements. First, the journal's staff has just wrapped up a donation of back issues of Bartleby to the Union Bethel AME Church, which took these to South Africa to distribute as part of its mission work there. According to the church’s Lorraine Brown, “books were the second highest item of demand” after hygiene products, making the journals a most welcome and important contribution.

Secondly, Bartleby's advisor Sally Shivnan, senior lecturer in English, has been named UMBC's 2007 Faculty Advisor of the Year in the annual UMBC Black-and-Gold Awards.

For more information about Bartleby, e-mail bartleby@umbc.edu or visit www.umbcbartleby.org.

Freeman Hrabowski, UMBC President, in the Baltimore Sun
African-American high school seniors in Maryland trailed their African-American counterparts across the country in 2007 SAT scores. In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski discussed the trend. “Maryland is different, in that we have encouraged a larger percentage of students from low-income backgrounds and minority groups to take the test and to consider going to college, which explains much of the difference in the SAT averages between blacks in this state and in the nation,” Hrabowski said. The article, “SAT Scores in Math Fall in Maryland,” appeared on Aug. 29.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.md.ci.sat29aug29,0,2552748.story

Keith Dorsey ’76 in the Catonsville Times
The Catonsville Times described the compassion and competence that Keith Dorsey ’76, economics, has brought to his work in the Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance. Dorsey recently named the county’s new director of budget and finance. The story, “Budget Director Adds Personal Touch to Numbers,” ran on Aug. 29.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=351&NewsID=829747&CategoryID=8381&on=1

Tim Mantegna ’11 in the Baltimore Sun
Toward his pursuit of making Eagle Scout, Tim Mantegna ’11 has compiled an audiotape collection of war veterans’ stories. His work is part of a Library of Congress program, the Veterans History Project. Mantegna, 17, plans to study political science at UMBC. He was featured in a Baltimore Sun story, “Scout Collects, Makes History.” The article ran on Aug. 26.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.scout26aug26,0,43935.story

UMBC in the Baltimore Business Journal, CampusTechnology.com and EETimes.com
UMBC and IBM have launched a supercomputing research center designed to marry new advances in semiconductor chip design with applications in national security, financial services and medical imaging. The Baltimore Business Journal profiled the partnership on Aug. 23, in a story titled, “IBM, UMBC to Team on Supercomputing Center.” EETimes.com, in an Aug. 24 story titled, “IBM’s Cell BE-Based Cluster to Aid Research, said the center will hold “one of the most powerful cluster supercomputers in the world.” CampusTechnology.com noted that researchers are calling the center “an ‘orchestra’ of one of the world’s most powerful supercomputing chips.” That story, “UMBC Supercomputing Center Eyes Socio-Econ Problems,” ran on Aug. 27.

www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2007/08/20/daily26.html
http://campustechnology.com/articles/49957/
www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201802222

Please click here to read President Hrabowski's Convocation address.

Ashley Barbera ’08 in the Baltimore Sun
The Carroll County Republican Club seeks to expand membership and generate support for conservative Republican causes in the county and across Maryland. The Baltimore Sun reported that Ashley Barbera ’08 addressed members during a recent club meeting, describing her work as chair of the Maryland Federation of College Republicans. The article, “Republican Club Resumes Public Meetings,” ran on Aug. 19.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.club19aug19,0,5072910.story

Emily Biondi ’09 in the Baltimore Sun
Emily Biondi ’09, who received a kidney from her father in 2003, is competing in the high jump and long jump at the World Transplant Games in Thailand. She is profiled in a Baltimore Sun story, “Leaping Into Her New Life.” The article appeared on Aug. 22.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.biondi22aug22,0,4046212.story

Charles Brown, Athletics, in the Catonsville Times
In 18 years as director of athletics at UMBC, Charles Brown has seen athletes thrive academically and athletically. Brown discussed his tenure at UMBC in a Catonsville Times profile, which notes his recent signing of a contract extension through 2011. The article, “UMBC AD Grows Along With Facilities for Four More Years,” ran on Aug. 22.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=351&NewsID=831601&CategoryID=468&show=localnews&om=1

Charles Milligan, CHPDM, on WYPR-88.1 FM
Charles Milligan, executive director of the Center for Health Program Development and Management, was interviewed live on Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast on WYPR-88.1 FM (National Public Radio-Baltimore) regarding new federal policy standards for how the Children’s Health Insurance Program will be administered. Milligan and other guests discussed how these standards’ potential impact on low-income children. The broadcast aired on Aug. 22.

www.wypr.org/MD_MORNING.html

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
Familiar last names are omnipresent among leading candidates in this year’s Baltimore City elections. Donald Norris, professor of public policy and director of the Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis & Research, told the Baltimore Sun that candidates such as Michael Sarbanes and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will benefit from their fathers’ political reputations. “They should have huge name recognition. Pete Rawlings had, up until his death, probably the biggest name in the state in the black community.” The article, “City Primary a Clash of Famous Last Names,” appeared on Aug. 23.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.names23aug23,0,3799096.story

Casey O’Brien ’06 in the Catonsville Times
The work of Casey O’Brien ’06, history, at a National Science Foundation facility in Antarctica was featured in the Catonsville Times. O’Brien, a Catonsville native, performs a number of functions at the McMurdo Station complex to support scientific research there. The article, “Resident Warming Up to Face Cold Conditions at South Pole,” ran on Aug. 15.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=351&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1293294&om=1

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s latest column in the Baltimore Sun argued that bringing slots gambling to Maryland is an unsound way to fix the state’s structural deficit. Schaller writes that “slots were just as bad an idea during Mr. Ehrlich’s term (as governor) as they are now, under Mr. O’Malley.” The column, “Amid Competing Agendas, Slots Just Not Worth It,” appeared on Aug. 22.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller22aug22,0,3983052.column

UMBC Volleyball Picked as Favorite in Preseason Poll
The UMBC volleyball team has been picked as the favorite to win the 2007 America East Volleyball Championship following a preseason coaches’ poll. The Retrievers bumped Albany out of the top spot for the first time in two years.
www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/wvball/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=3523

www.umbc.edu/aboutumbc/welcome/stateofuniv07.php

From: Antonio Williams, Chief of Police, UMBC

The start of the fall semester brings excitement and challenges. One such challenge is the task of establishing and maintaining a safe, efficient flow of traffic into and out of the UMBC campus.

I am asking everyone in the UMBC community to work with the police department to make the traffic flow safe and orderly. Please assist us by being alert at all times while driving throughout the campus and cooperating with the members of the police department conducting traffic control. We recognize this will pose an inconvenience to motorists as some driving patterns will be changed to better facilitate driving throughout the campus.

Although traffic pattern changes will be made as needed, one traffic pattern change that will be implemented from approximately 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. each day is the discontinuation of turning left from the outer loop onto Commons Drive. This area will be blocked off to prevent backups that will stop traffic entering the campus via UMBC Boulevard. Motorists will need to continue to Poplar Avenue and make a u-turn or enter the campus on the inner loop to approach this area.

We urge motorists to arrive early to avoid the heavy volume of traffic.

We thank everyone in advance for your help and cooperation in making the
drive to and from our campus safe.

In order to facilitate the move-in of our residential students, faculty/staff parking will be prohibited on campus roadways within the residential community as of 6 p.m., Friday, August 24 through 9 p.m., Monday, August 27.

The restricted area includes: Center Road, Back Road, Poplar Avenue, Walker Avenue and inner Hilltop Circle from Walker Avenue to Poplar Avenue.

Handicapped parking will be allowed in the restricted area.

Contact Parking Services with any concerns at ext. 5-2551.

With the support of the Vice President of Student Affairs, University Health Services (UHS) will be closed Wednesday, August 22. This closing is necessary for returning staff to complete required trainings and simulations. If you have a medical emergency, please call campus police at ext. 5-5555 or 911. If you need to submit immunization forms, they can be faxed
to UHS at 410-455-1125.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Jennifer K. Lepus
Director, UHS

Brian Cullum, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Receives Patent
Congratulations to Brian Cullum, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, for his issued U.S. patent #7,256,886, entitled "Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Nano-imaging Probe and Uses Therefor". This invention is a reusable nano-imaging probe useful in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic applications demonstrating nanometer scale resolution. To view this patent in its entirety, go to 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 www.umbc.edu/otd.

Men's Tennis Invited to Compete in 46th Annual ECAC Championships
The UMBC men’s tennis team is one of 16 teams to be invited to compete in the 46th Annual Division I ECAC Men’s Tennis Championships. The 2007 edition will take place at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. from September 28-October 2. It will be UMBC’s first-ever appearance in the prestigious event. The Retrievers captured their first America East Conference title in April of this year. The schools invited to compete are Boston College, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Georgetown, George Washington, Harvard, UMBC, Pennsylvania, Penn State, Princeton, St. Bonaventure, St. John's (N.Y.), Saint Joseph's (Pa.) and Yale.

Matthew Loftus ’07 in the Baltimore Sun
Matthew Loftus ’07, chemistry, a 20-year-old beginning his first year as a student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, has been named a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Program scholarship. The scholarship will cover his medical school tuition. Loftus is profiled in “Opening a Portal to a Dream,” which ran in the Baltimore Sun on Aug. 16. (Also receiving the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship is Hadi Gharabaghi, ’06, visual arts. Watch the UMBC homepage for a feature on both recipients.)

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-md.ha.scholar16aug16,0,6257278.story

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
Polls indicate a tight race between the two leading candidates for Baltimore City Council president, Michael Sarbanes and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Donald Norris, professor of public policy and director of the Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis & Research, told the Baltimore Sun, “You’ve gotta believe that each one of them is going to spend whatever they can even if they have to borrow to get their message across, given that this thing is so close.” The article, “Sarbanes Leads in Race for Money,” appeared on Aug. 16.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.president16aug16,0,2719542.story

Campaign officials for Baltimore mayoral candidate Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. say that the campaign has not been reimbursed for an additional $16,000 in personal expenditures made by Mitchell’s father from the campaign treasury. Donald Norris, professor of public policy and director of the Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis & Research, told the Baltimore Sun that “the unfortunate part is all the attention focused on the problems of the campaign finance rather than the candidate and his issues.” The article, “Mitchells’ Spending Rift Widens,” ran on Aug. 16.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.mitchell16aug16,0,6886229.story

Fred Pincus, Sociology, in the Chronicle of Higher Education
Fred Pincus, professor of sociology, compared the challenges he encountered in a difficult Web design seminar to the academic challenges many low-income and working-class students are likely to encounter upon entering an academic setting for the first time. His essay, “On the Other Side of the Podium,” appeared in the Chronicle Review in the Aug. 17 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education.

http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i50/50b00701.htm

Robert Provine, Psychology, in The Guardian
Robert Provine, professor of psychology, and his research on the science of laughter were profiled in The Guardian (United Kingdom). The article, “No Laughing Matter,” appeared on Aug. 11.

www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,,2145025,00.html

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s latest column in the Baltimore Sun discussed the candidacy of U.S. Sen. John McCain, who seeks to become the Republican nominee for president. Schaller documents McCain’s “declining fortunes” but salutes his ability to take a hard stand on many issues. “He’s a pro-life veteran who has taken firm positions on controversial issues, and his immigration stance demonstrates true courage,” Schaller writes. Schaller’s commentary, “Despite his Shrinking Candidacy, McCain is Still the GOP’s Best Bet,” ran on Aug. 15.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller15aug15,0,4769488.column

Sana Waheed ’11, Emma Goldman ’11, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun examined the trend toward online social networking among college freshmen, starting often weeks before classes begin. Two UMBC freshmen, Sana Waheed ’11 and Emma Goldman ’11, are quoted in “College Orientation, Online.” The story appeared on Aug. 13.

www.baltimoresun.com/technology/bal-te.md.facebook13aug13,0,2046747.story

E-Vision
UMBC's First Entrepreneur Club for Graduate Students

What can E-vision offer you?

*A safe and productive environment geared toward cultivating entrepreneurship and business skills.

*Helpful seminars on various business/entrepreneurial topics including francise ownership, intellectual property, business networking, financial planning, investing and much more!

*Opportunities to meet and interact with students in diverse disciplines.

What are E-vision's goals?

*To encourage members to start a business and/or enhance their executive leadership skills within their fields.

*To highlight the importance of entrepreneurship in the academy with respect to research.

*To inspire graduate student participation in local and regional business competitions.

For more information and meeting times, contact:

LeTese Briggs
lbriggs1@umbc.edu
410-455-2569

August 15, 2007

To: The UMBC Community

Fr: Freeman Hrabowski and Arthur Johnson

Re: Fall Opening Meeting

Each year, at the start of the fall semester, the UMBC community comes together to welcome colleagues and students back to campus, celebrate our achievements, and launch the academic year. Please join us at the Fall Opening Meeting beginning at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21 in the University Center Ballroom. Following the meeting, we will have the opportunity to socialize during a light-fare, buffet lunch, which will conclude by 1:30 p.m.

We are delighted that USM Chancellor William “Brit” Kirwan will join us and present greetings. We also will hear from two of our incoming undergraduate and graduate students. Hannah Perskie, a freshman Humanities Scholar, is the sister of our 2005 Salutatorian, Lauren Perskie. Akil Word-Daniels, who is beginning the electrical engineering Ph.D. program, participated in our Graduate Horizons program while he was an undergraduate student in physics at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

The program also will include the annual State of the University Address, focusing on achievements of students, faculty, and staff and updates on our fall enrollment, the budget, campus facilities, the capital campaign, and PeopleSoft implementation, among other topics.

So that as many people as possible may attend, release time for staff will be granted from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All campus offices will remain open, and services will continue to be offered. We ask supervisors to work with staff members to arrange for staffing coverage.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

To: The UMBC Community

Fr: J. Lavelle Ingram, Director, University Counseling Services

The University Counseling Services staff will be on a planning retreat Thursday, August 16. Counseling Services will be closed on this date. If there is an emergency please call University Police at 410-455-5555 to contact the counselor on call.

Counseling Services will reopen on Friday, August 17 at 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday, August 28
3:30 p.m.
RAC Arena

What Is Convocation?
Convocation is the formal, ceremonial assembly of the members of the academic community. This traditional ceremony is observed at UMBC and at colleges and universities throughout the world. At UMBC, it marks the beginning of the new academic year. UMBC's Convocation features a special welcome to new students and their families, and the ceremony concludes with all of the new students putting on their UMBC pins for the first time, signaling that they are formally and officially members of the UMBC community.

About Regalia
One of the most colorful and distinctive elements of the ceremony is the presence of the platform party and faculty and staff dressed in formal academic regalia. The style of the robe and the color and length of the hood serve to distinguish the academic degree the wearer has earned and the institution that awarded it.

To: The UMBC Community

From: Arthur T. Johnson, Provost

Re: Classroom Upgrade Status Report

As we prepare to begin another academic year, I am pleased to share with the campus a summary of classroom projects that will be completed this summer and recognize those responsible for such accomplishments.

The Provost's office, through the leadership of Vice Provost Antonio Moreira and the Classroom Committee, has worked diligently the past few years to improve classroom facilities and classroom-related business operations. Beginning in the summer of 2005, we approved an initiative and funding to begin work on equipping a number of our classrooms with current technologies and to enhance overall utilization. Examples of this include the move to the Resource-25 software system for common scheduling, the move of the free hour to improve classroom utilization, the evaluation and replacement of classroom furniture, and a number of technology upgrades in classrooms to better support instruction. These efforts were the result of discussions in the Classroom Committee and the close cooperation and support from the Offices of the Registrar, Facilities Management, and Information Technology, among others. We recognize that there is certainly more to be done in future years, especially in matching instructional needs with the classroom capabilities.

Last summer, eight Sondheim Hall classrooms were upgraded concerning instructional technology equipment; the remaining thirteen Sondheim academic classrooms are being completed this summer, representing phase I of a multi-year campus plan endorsed by the Classroom Committee for upgrading our classrooms. This will make Sondheim the first of our older buildings to have fixed technology present in each general inventory classroom. Combined with improvements made prior to 2007, thirty nine of our general inventory classrooms (excluding lecture halls) have been addressed to support technology in teaching. This represents a milestone of over 60% completion of the technology upgrade of our mid- to large-size general classrooms.

Finally, in late May, construction began to complete the renovation and redesign of Lecture Hall IV, a project separate from the classroom upgrade plan described above. We look forward to its completion, as this room will offer premier technology, improved teaching area and two distinct seating styles, large lecture and mid size case study areas.

To learn more about classroom technology features, go to www.umbc.edu/avservices.

To request use of any general academic classroom, faculty should first check with their respective department scheduling coordinator or send an e-mail detailing the request to schedregoffice@umbc.edu.

Anne Brodsky, Psychology/Gender and Women’s studies, in the Dallas Morning News
An opinion editorial by Anne Brodsky, associate professor of psychology and director of the gender and women's studies program, appeared in the Dallas Morning News regarding a milestone in Afghanistan history. The piece discussed the death of the former king of Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah. (The commentary originally ran in the Baltimore Sun on July 28.) "Nearly 50 years after Mr. Zahir Shah made veiling voluntary and opened new educational and occupational opportunities to women," Brodsky writes, "being a woman is arguably one of the greatest risk factors in Afghanistan." The commentary appeared in the Dallas newspaper on Aug. 2.

www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-brodsky_02edi.ART.State.Edition1.42049b5.html

Charles Brown, Director of Athletics, in the Baltimore Sun
Director of Athletics Charles Brown, who came to UMBC in 1989, signed a four-year contract extension that will keep him in the position through 2011. In a Baltimore Sun story that appeared on Aug. 2, Brown is credited with leading an athletic department that “has gained a foothold in Division I athletics.”

www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/bal-sp.umbc02aug02,0,7155027.story

Robert Garrity ’73 is New Denver FBI Chief
Robert Garrity ’73 is the new special agent in charge of the Denver FBI office. His appointment, announced by FBI director Robert Mueller, was reported in the Denver Post on Aug. 5.

www.denverpost.com/ci_6536353

Roy Meyers, Political Science, in the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal
The Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal, in an examination of payroll and other office expenses incurred by members of the North Carolina congressional delegation, cited Professor of Political Science Roy Meyers. “Many staff members are very much underpaid compared to alternative sources of employment (in the private sector), so in terms of what the taxpayers pay, they are getting a bargain,” Meyers said. The article appeared on Aug. 5.

www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352264277&path=&s

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
In the Baltimore Sun, Donald Norris, professor of public policy and director of the Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis & Research (MIPAR), discussed Republicans’ success at thwarting initiatives by Democrats in Congress. “The Republicans are able to make it very difficult for the Democrats to do anything substantial,” Norris said. The story, “GOP is Holding Ground on the Hill,” appeared on Aug. 6.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/world/iraq/bal-te.congress06aug06,0,2637807.story

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the News
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller examined the Democratic presidential field and probed for weaknesses among the front-runners in an opinion piece for Salon.com, “How Strong is the Democratic Presidential Field?” While documenting a series of problems among Republican candidates, Schaller notes “the Democratic field has its own share of problems.” The article appeared on Aug. 9.

www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/08/09/democrats/

Schaller’s latest column in the Baltimore Sun argued that it is difficult to detect many serious policy disagreements between two leading Democratic candidates, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. The column, “Little Separates Clinton, Obama,” appeared on Aug. 8. “Given that both have a decent shot of becoming America’s 44th president, it’s about time they started fighting – really fighting – like they mean it.”

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller08aug08,0,5555924.column

M.A. Anjanappa, Mechanical Engineering, Receives Patent
Congratulations to M.A. Anjanappa, Mechanical Engineering, for his issued U.S. patent #7,252,212, entitled "Long-term Liquid Storage and Dispensing System." This invention is a liquid storage and dispensing system and methods for its use in the storage, shipping, and accurate dispensing by manual or automated methods. To view this patent in its
entirety, go to 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 www.umbc.edu/otd.

Graduate Student Jordan Hadfield '07 Receives Schaefer Scholarship
UMBC public policy graduate student Jordan Hadfield '07, political science, is the recipient of a 2007-08 William Donald Schaefer Scholarship. Named for the former Baltimore major and comtroller, the scholarship was created to encourage Maryland students to prepare for careers in public service.

Diane Auer Jones ’88 M.S. Named Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education
Diane Auer Jones ’88, M.S. applied molecular biology, was recently confirmed as assistant secretary for postsecondary education at the U.S. Department of Education. She was previously deputy associate director in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/08/08062007.html

Adjoa Smalls-Mantey ’07 Admitted to Prestigious OXCAM Class of 2007
Adjoa Smalls-Mantey ’07, biochemistry/molecular biology, was admitted to the NIH/Oxford/Cambridge Scholars Program (OXCAM) Class of 2007. The scholarship provides full financial support for its students who spend two years at Oxford and also conduct biomedical science research at NIH while in pursuit of a Ph.D.

Jesse Mashbaum, assistant director of business services for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and John Moran, university police officer III for the University Police, are the Employee of the Quarter recipients for July 1 to September 30, 2007. Each recipient will receive a check for $500, a personalized parking space, one day of administrative leave, a certificate, his/her name on the Employee of the Quarter plaque and an invitation to the annual Service Award Ceremony for all recipients.

Human Resources extends a special thanks to everyone that nominated an employee for the award. Previous nominations received will be eligible for consideration for one year from the date received. The next Employee of the Quarter recipients will be selected in October. For more information, visit www.umbc.edu/hr/EOQ/EOQ.html.

Jesse Mashbaum, assistant director of business services for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, is UMBC's Exempt Employee of the Quarter. Mashbaum began his career at UMBC in October 2001 as a business services manager and was promoted to assistant director in July 2005. He is responsible for the department’s budget, financial aspects of sponsored research activities, coordination of the administrative end of faculty recruiting, staff and student recruiting and procurement. Prior to coming to UMBC, he taught for nine years at a small private college and worked for fourteen years at a technology start-up company where he was vice president of operations.

“I am proud to say that I nominated Jesse, in recognition of his stewardship during the chair-transition, staff hiring and training we went through last year” said Nagaraj Neerchal, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “The department has seen a number of changes over the past year. Jesse has been an invaluable resource to our department by keeping our administrative machinery functioning, in spite of the severe staff shortage we experienced. Due to staff turnover, Jesse had to shoulder many additional responsibilities. Jesse coordinated the hiring process for several positions. As the only person left in the department with institutional memory, Jesse had to shoulder the responsibility of training the new people.”

Mathematics and statistics faculty and staff were pleased to hear that Jesse was selected. Boris Alemi, network administrator, said, “Jesse is a very good employee and is serious about his work.” Assistant Professor Muruhan Rathinam said, “Jesse assists me in writing grant proposals by handling the administrative side and preparing the budgets. He is knowledgeable about the rules and regulations. His abilities allow me to focus on the technical side of the grant proposal.”

Janie Stevenson, assistant dean, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, agreed. “In light of all of Jesse’s hard work, it is not surprising to learn that Jesse was given the Employee of the Quarter award. This past year has been especially difficult due to a change in staff and the appointment of a new chair. Throughout all of this, Jesse has continued to stay on top of the PeopleSoft reports while providing excellent service to faculty, staff and students. Jesse is an expert when it comes to maintaining the details of the department’s financials in his very own custom built shadow system. He will take the necessary steps to accomplish the current task in a timely fashion.

“One of his strengths is his willingness to share his knowledge and techniques with others,” added Stevenson. “He typically shares his spreadsheets with new business staff. Jesse always provides sound advice and is considered one of the most successful peer mentors when it comes to managing the PeopleSoft conversion. On a personal level, Jesse is always willing to take time to catch up with co-workers. It is a pleasure working with Jesse and I can always count on his assistance and cooperation, I have always found him to be friendly and eager to help out whenever necessary.”

Mashbaum has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. He has been married for over 30 years and is the proud father of two children. In his free time, Mashbaum enjoys reading and playing piano. He is also an avid amateur photographer who has exhibited work in local galleries.

The formal EOQ presentation ceremony will be held during the CIRC social hour on August 31 at 10 a.m. Faculty, students and staff will be in attendance to help Jesse celebrate this honor.

John Moran, university police officer III for the University Police is the nonexempt Employee of the Quarter. He began his career at UMBC in July 2001 as a university police officer II and was recently promoted. Moran has over 20 years of state service in law enforcement.

Sergeant Bruce Perry, university police officer IV, nominated Moran for the award. “John is involved in many initiatives and programs at UMBC and in the community,” said Perry. “He shows his leadership by constantly motivating members of his squad and participates in our community policing effort by patrolling on his mountain bike and on foot. He participates in the department’s ARRIVE program, which aims to reduce the alcohol availability to minors and reads to two classes of fifth graders at North Glen Elementary as part of the Reading Across America program. He participated in a campaign with the Center for Missing and Exploited Children to mail out 250,000 missing child cards in Anne Arundel County.

“John took the initiative to create a map for the department so officers could identify and quickly locate apartments in the new Walker Avenue Apartment complex,” added Perry. “This map can be found on the departmental web site. John constantly makes recommendations to the Department and took the initiative to attend first responder training given by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. He made arrangements to receive a command board to be used should a major incident occur at the University and also took the initiative to attend the Standardized Field Sobriety Training at the Baltimore County Police Department.”

Moran asisted in successfully negotiating the first employee contract [Memorandum of Understanding] with the University representing the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #82 and serves as its vice president. He is a member of the Arundel Gardens Improvement Association. He is a major in the Maryland Army National Guard. Moran has a master’s degree in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in business management.

The University Police will present Moran with his award at a celebration in the near future.

Parking permits for the upcoming academic year go on sale August 15, 2007. The faculty/staff parking permit annual cost in FY 2008 will be $260, an increase of $28 or 12% over the cost in FY 2007. Faculty and staff permit costs have not increased since August 2002, while over the
same time period student permit fees have increased by $76, to an annual fee in FY 2008 of $308. The increased revenues generated will help pay for new parking structures to replace lots 9 and 16 which will be lost with the construction of the new Performing Arts and Humanities building.

The new permits may be displayed immediately. Permits are enforced year round. UMBC Parking Rules and Regulations are posted at www.umbc.edu/parking. For additional information, contact Parking Services by calling ext.5-2551 or e-mailing parking@umbc.edu.

GATE CARD HOLDERS
For faculty and staff parking in gated lots, the gate card fee will be $80. Gate card holders will be issued new gate cards this year.

PERMITS PURCHASED THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTION
Faculty and staff already enrolled in the pre-tax payroll deduction program will not need to complete new forms. Anyone wishing to end their participation in the payroll deduction program due to termination, payment in full at the cashier or a new parking location, must submit a cancellation form to Parking Services. Parking Services will handle the distribution of permits and gate cards for employees participating in the payroll deduction program. Permits and gate cards for eligible employees actively enrolled in the payroll deduction program during the past year will be delivered to the employee's department the week of August 20, 2007. Payroll deductions will begin with checks dated September 7, 2007 and continue through checks dated May 30, 2008. The bi-weekly payroll deduction will be $13 for a permit and $17 for a gated permit and gate card.

New participants in the payroll deduction program must complete payroll deduction forms and obtain their permits and gate cards (if applicable) from Parking Services. Eligible employees who wish to initiate participation in the payroll deduction program must register no later
than August 27, 2007. Payroll deduction forms will be accepted for new employees only within two weeks of their hire dates from August 28, 2007 to February 26, 2008. Anyone purchasing a parking permit after February 26, 2008 will be required to pay by cash, check or credit card only.

For additional information regarding the parking payroll deduction program, contact Parking Services at ext. 5-2551.

PERMITS PURCHASED BY CASH, CHECK OR CREDIT CARD
Faculty and staff paying by cash, check or credit card may purchase a permit at the Cashier's Office (1st Floor, University Center), 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. beginning August 15, 2007. However, permits purchased through the payroll deduction program will not be available at the Cashier's Office.

Faculty and staff with outstanding debts to UMBC must satisfy them before they can purchase new parking permits/gate cards. The replacement cost for lost/stolen/misplaced permits and/or gate cards is $25. All replacement requests must be submitted to Parking Services,
and an authorization letter will be provided to obtain a replacement at the Cashier's Office. Refunds will not be issued for parking permit fees.

An intergenerational production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” directed by UMBC interdisciplinary studies senior Gina Hrybyk, will be presented at Charlestown Retirement Community’s Muriel Caulfield Auditorium on Friday, August 10 and Saturday, August 11 at 7 p.m.

The production is Hrybyk’s capstone project for her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, “Arts in Community.” It brings together students from UMBC and other local colleges with members of Little Theatre Company (LTC), a non-profit group based at Charlestown.

Hrybyk decided to complete her undergraduate degree after selling the flower shop she owned for 30 years in Ellicott City. “I chose the interdisciplinary studies major because it made it possible to synthesize my interests and talents,” said Hrybyk. “My commitment to community development through the arts led me to mesh studies in sociology with my prior studies in art.” In 2000, she also started a non-profit children’s theatre group.

UMBC students involved in the production include Josh Kemper, theatre (“Schroeder”); Rosie Hrybyk, interdisciplinary studies (“Lucy”); Lauren Conley, media and communication studies (“Sally”); Tatiana Claridad, psychology (choreographer); and Katie Better, visual arts (animated sequence).

Tickets for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," are $7 and can be reserved by calling (410) 206-9924. Charlestown Retirement Community is located at 715 Maiden Choice Lane in Catonsville.

Anne Brodsky, Psychology/Gender and Women’s studies, in the Baltimore Sun
Anne Brodsky, associate professor of psychology and director of the gender and women’s studies program, contributed an opinion editorial to the Baltimore Sun regarding the death of the former king of Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah. “Nearly 50 years after Mr. Zahir Shah made veiling voluntary and opened new educational and occupational opportunities to women,” Brodsky writes, “being a woman is arguably one of the greatest risk factors in Afghanistan.” The commentary appeared on July 29.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.afghanistan29jul29,0,2570100.story

LaMar Davis, Choice Program, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun invited LaMar Davis, director of the UMBC Choice Program, to contribute to a collection of essays from area researchers and activists on strategies to tame crime in Baltimore City. In discussing the successful models of the Choice Program, Davis writes, “The real answer lies in the work of dedicated, caring and committed individuals who believe that one person can make a difference.” The article appeared on July 29.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/ideas/bal-crime0729,0,5026792.story?page=4

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s latest column in the Baltimore Sun discussed the long-shot presidential campaigns of Democratic congressman Dennis Kucinich and Republican congressman Ron Paul. Schaller recognizes the frank and consistent positions both have expressed regarding Iraq. Schaller writes that “at least their positions have the benefit of consistency: If you oppose the war and think it is going badly, they insist, then vote against it.” The column appeared on Aug. 1.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller01aug01,0,2344646.column

CASPR Researchers Featured in Girl Scouts of America Brochure
UMBC's Center for Advanced Studies in Photonics Research (CASPR) is featured prominently in "Lighten Up," a new educational brochure from the Girl Scouts of America and the Optical Society of America (OSA). "Lighten Up" is designed to make the science of optics, photonics and light fun to learn for Girl Scouts across the country. The brochure features CASPR Director Anthony Johnson, CASPR Assistant Research Scientist Elaine Lalanne, and applied physics master's student Francis Carter.

Anne Spence, Mechanical Engineering, to Attend Space Shuttle Launch
Anne Spence, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, was invited by the Maryland State Department of Education to attend the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour scheduled for August 7 from Kennedy Space Center. Spence will also attend the shuttle mission's August 5-7 pre-launch educational conference on cultivating America's science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce. Spence, who has received national recognition for her work with Project Lead the Way and other STEM education initiatives, will represent STEM education in Maryland as a VIP guest during the launch.

From: Arthur T. Johnson, Provost
Vivian Armor, Director, Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship

Last December, UMBC and the Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship were awarded a $2- million grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to expand entrepreneurship initiatives across campus. UMBC was one of nine universities selected to participate in this round of funding. A key element of our proposal focused on the identification of Faculty Fellows -- respected entrepreneurial thought and practice leaders of our campus community who would lead the way in infusing entrepreneurship across all disciplines.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of William LaCourse, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, Kriste Lindenmeyer, professor and chair of history and Uri Tasch, professor of mechanical engineering, as our first Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows.

Their appointment is for three years and during that time they will be responsible for institutionalizing entrepreneurship within their academic disciplines and their colleges. In this role they will serve as faculty champions for entrepreneurship to raise the profile of entrepreneurship within their respective areas.

We greatly appreciate the support of the Deans in the selection process and the interest of other faculty members who submitted nominations for consideration.

We offer sincere congratulations to Bill, Kriste and Uri and we look forward to the expansion of entrepreneurial initiatives across UMBC's campus as a result of their leadership.

All UMBC part-time faculty are invited to attend a workshop on effective teaching on Saturday August 25, 9:30 a.m.- noon in Academic IV, Room 219. (Please enter ACIV in Wing A, across from the Information Technology/Engineering Building).

Topics to be discussed include: motivating and engaging students; aligning course goals, assignments, and tests; developing active learning classes; lecturing to advance learning; and promoting academic integrity. Continental breakfast will be served 9-9:30 a.m. Lunch provided at noon.

Following the forum, faculty interested in learning how to use BlackBoard for their courses are welcome to attend a training session, 12:30-1:30 p.m. To register, contact Sue Hahn in the Faculty Development Center at ext. 5-3916 or hahn@umbc.edu.

An orientation for new part-time faculty will be held Tuesday, August 21, 6-8 p.m., with a reception, 5:30-6 p.m. in the University Center, Room 312. (New IDs will be available 5:30-6 p.m.)

Topics to be covered in the session include: technology resources (myUMBC, Blackboard, library e-reserves), administrative information (getting an ID, parking) and support for effective teaching. While this event is directed toward new and returning part-time faculty, all faculty are invited to attend.

To RSVP, contact Sue Hahn in the Faculty Development Center at ext. 5-3916 or hahn@umbc.edu. This event is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Office of Information Technology and the Faculty Development Center.