UMBC in The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review ranked UMBC second on its “Most Diverse Student Population” list. The list is one of 62 rankings categories included in the publication’s annual rankings guide, The Best 368 Colleges: 2009 Edition.

www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/29/earlyshow/living/parenting/main4301858.shtml

Dennis Coates, Economics, in the Baltimore Sun
Economists are skeptical that a new downtown arena for sports and other entertainment events will contribute to the city’s west-side revitalization or its overall economic base. “If we took the $200 million they’re going to spend on this arena and we spent it in some other way, what benefits would come to the community? That sort of analysis is never done,” Dennis Coates, professor of economics, told the Baltimore Sun. The story, “Bigger Facility, Biggest Events,” ran on July 25.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.arena25jul25,0,4541570.story?page=1

The state soon will announce the creation of a sports marketing division, charged with luring more athletic events to Maryland. Coates told the Baltimore Sun that a sports commission is “worth exploring” but added that competition from Washington could be one factor that limits Baltimore’s sports options. The story, “Maryland Creating Office to Lure Sports Events,” appeared on July 26.

www.baltimoresun.com/sports/other/bal-te.sp.sptmarket26jul26,0,175098.story

Kevin Eckert, Erickson School, in the Daily Record of Maryland
Many in Maryland’s medical field are preparing for the strain that could be brought by the state’s 1.55 million aging baby boomers. Kevin Eckert, dean of the Erickson School, told the Daily Record of Maryland that the school is training new leaders for important roles in the changing field of aging services. “In the past, programs focusing on aging people or older folks looked at the fact that they were declining and how to serve them. Our focus is the changing nature of the boomers and what kinds of services we need to offer and how we think about old people,” Eckert said. The article, “Maryland Braces for Boomer Impact,” appeared on July 24.

www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=6071&type=UTTM
(Subscription may be required.)

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the News
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s latest column for the Baltimore Sun addressed the Republican Party’s tendency to bash Jimmy Carter as an example of poor Democratic presidential leadership. The Republicans, Schaller argued, adopt this strategy when their own political fortunes are in trouble. The column, “Conjuring Carter: Desperate GOP Once Again Goes Back to the Well,” ran on July 30.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller30jul30,0,7587544.column

Schaller told the Washington Post that while it makes sense for Barack Obama to invest some of his considerable resources in the South to force John McCain to defend that territory, he sees little chance for victories by Obama there. The article, “For Obama, Hurdles in Expanding the Black Vote,” appeared on July 28.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/27/AR2008072701850.html

Cornelia Carapcea Named America East Conference Scholar-Athlete in Women's Tennis
Rising senior tennis standout Cornelia Carapcea was selected as the America East Conference Scholar-Athlete in the sport of women’s tennis for the 2008 season. Carapcea, a junior, was a third-team Academic All-America selection by ESPN The Magazine and CoSIDA.

www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/tennis/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=4169

Barry Lanman, Martha Ross Center for Oral History, in the Catonsville Times
The Friends of the Catonsville Library hope to complete an oral history of Catonsville, a project the group last worked on 20 years ago. Recently, the group asked Barry Lanman, director of the Martha Ross Center for Oral History and a Catonsville resident, to serve as an advisor. “These people are incredibly committed to preserving Catonsville’s history,” Lanman told the Catonsville Times. The story, “Filling in Gap: Oral History Project Might Restart,” ran on July 23.

www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/1734/filling-gap-oral-history-project-might-restart/

Don Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
Despite strong objections from animal advocates, Howard County officials plan to continue managed deer hunts in several undeveloped parks this fall, based on the results of a new public opinion survey led by Don Norris, professor of public policy and MIPAR director. The Baltimore Sun noted that “Norris wrote (in a companion report) that ‘current scientific evidence shows that contraception does not work.’ ” The story, “County to Continue Deer Hunting,” appeared on July 23.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.deer23jul23,0,3660992.story

Robert Provine, Psychology, in the News
The Toronto Globe and Mail interviewed Robert Provine, professor of psychology, regarding his research on laughter. The article, “On the Laugh Track,” appeared on July 19.

www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080718.wlaughter19/BNStory/Front/

The syndicated radio program Earth and Sky interviewed Provine on the phenomenon of yawning, an area he has studied extensively. “Why Do We Yawn” aired on July 22.

www.earthsky.org/radioshows/52646/why-do-we-yawn

Video Gaming, Students Arthur Gould and Paul Oliver, in the Baltimore Sun
Students Arthur Gould and Paul Oliver have started Legendary Studios, a gaming company that builds creative, non-violent games. The Baltimore Sun profiled the students and the company. Their work has attracted the attention and support of Microsoft and a private investor. The story, “Gamer Making a Career of It,” appeared on July 24.

www.baltimoresun.com/technology/bal-bz.oliver24jul24,0,2454824.story

Delana Gregg, assistant director of the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, is the first recipient of the annual Jakubik Family Endowment Award. The Jakubik family created this award to recognize outstanding UMBC staff persons who have made a significant difference in the lives of our students and contributed meaningfully to the campus.

In nominating Delana Gregg, Roy Meyers, director of the Sondheim Scholars Program and professor of political science, cited her "incredibly impressive record of achievement over the past six years." Delana recruits new Sondheim Scholars, develops and teaches courses related to public affairs and arranges
service-learning opportunities for the Scholars. She coaches, counsels and supports all 50 Scholars, including overseeing their development of e-portfolios that promote student assessment, reflection and career preparation.

"Along with David Hoffman of Student Affairs, Delana is the recent winner of a UMBC Kauffmann grant to develop a course on Civic Imagination and Social Entrepreneurship. This course will support initiatives by UMBC students to improve UMBC and the surrounding community. She will be working across departmental and division lines to provide a true interdisciplinary experience for our students," added Meyers.

Staff members who have worked at UMBC for at least five years and made a positive contribution to student success many be nominated for this annual award. The awardee receives $500 in recognition of his or her service.

Installation by Lisa Moren, Visual Arts, on View at Chelsea Art Museum
Récord, recórd, recollection (II) by Lisa Moren, associate professor of visual arts, is part of the international group exhibition, “The Sonic Self,” at Chelsea Art Museum in New York City. The exhibition is on view through August 30. For more information, visit www.thesonicself.org and www.chelseaartmuseum.org. For more information on Moren, visit http://art.umbc.edu/varts/faculty/moren.php.

Lisa Moren and Jaimes Meyhew, Visual Arts, on WYPR-88.1 FM
Lisa Moren, associate professor of visual arts, and graduate student Jamies Meyhew were guests on Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast. They discussed their Artscape project, Station North Works: A Full Service Garage. The interview aired July 15 on WYPR-88.1 FM.

www.wypr.org/MD_MORNING.html

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s latest column for the Baltimore Sun addressed the new challenge facing Rep. Chris Van Hollen, selected by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to chair the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 2007-08 election cycle. The column, “Van Hollen Aims to ‘Beat History,’ ” ran on July 16.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller16jul16,0,1160423.column

Schaller spoke with the Associated Press about Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s vow to increase the turnout by African-American voters in the South. “I’ll believe a 30-percent increase in the black vote when I see it,” Schaller said. “If Obama does it he will have proved to doubters like me that his organizing skills in Chicago, coupled with his vision and charisma, are truly transformative.” The story, “Obama Predicts Huge Increase in Black Voters, Opening Up Usually Republican Southern States,” appeared on July 16.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-obama-winning-the-south,0,5737677.story

Bill Thomas, Erickson School, in the News
WYPR-88.1 FM interviewed Bill Thomas, a professor in the Erickson School, regarding his development of the Green House, a radically new approach to long-term care where nursing homes are torn down and replaced with small, home-like environments. He appeared on Midday with Dan Rodricks on July 17.

www.wypr.org/mid_day.html

Thomas spoke with the Associated Press about the age of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who is 72. “People in old age are fully capable of imaginative and skillful work,” McCain said. “A person’s age is not a block to doing fantastic work.” The story, “Medical Experts Say McCain’s Age Should Not Be a Factor,” ran on July 15.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-mccain-age,0,3188751.story

Please join me at a reception in honor of Vice President for Institutional Advancement Sheldon Caplis on Monday, July 21, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. on the 7th Floor of the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery. As you know, Sheldon will be leaving UMBC at the end of this month to become Vice President for Community Relations at CITI Bank.

During his tenure as Vice President over the past 15 years, Sheldon has provided outstanding leadership as UMBC has grown substantially in our fundraising and communications activities. His ability to cultivate strong, multi-level partnerships with companies, foundations, and donors has been invaluable, helping UMBC advance toward its goal of being one of the nation’s leading public research universities.

Again, I hope you will join me on Monday, July 21, in thanking Sheldon and wishing him the best on his new venture.

Also, I hope you will consider making a gift to the Joseph Caplis and Joseph Waldman Scholarship Fund, in recognition of Sheldon’s many contributions to UMBC. He and his wife, Jamie, established the fund in honor of their fathers to provide financial support to a Meyerhoff Scholar. Please contact Kim Robinson in Institutional Advancement at ext. 5-3700 or trowbrid@umbc.edu for more information.

When Provost Art Johnson stepped down as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs on June 30, he not only left a legacy of success from his 10-year tenure, but a new scholarship to support students transferring to UMBC.

Johnson recently created the Arthur T. Johnson Transfer Scholarship Fund to recognize the academic achievements of outstanding Maryland community college transfer students who wish to continue their studies at UMBC (including UMBC programs at Shady Grove). In addition to contributions from Johnson, over the past few months, members of the UMBC community and friends of the University have contributed nearly $17,000 towards the Fund.

Transfer students make up forty percent of UMBC’s undergraduate population. “I am establishing this scholarship to symbolize the importance of our transfer students and to send them the message that their success at UMBC is important to us,” said Johnson. “Community college transfers in particular will become increasingly important to UMBC as our enrollment grows.”

One of five University System of Maryland institutions enrolling the largest share of Maryland transfer students, UMBC is one of the few that draw transfer applications from all 16 Maryland community colleges – from as close as the Community College of Baltimore County to as far as Garrett and Allegany Community College. Most transfer students come from Montgomery College, followed by Anne Arundel Community College, the Community College of Baltimore County and Howard Community College.

UMBC also recognizes the accomplishments of its transfer students through a number of merit-based awards, including the Academic Achievement Award for Transfers (AAAT), the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) merit award, the Transfer Recognition Award, the Honors College Scholarship and the Maggie Hrabowski Teaching Award. Over 120 of UMBC’s incoming transfer students are recipients of these awards.

For more information on donating to the Arthur T. Johnson Transfer Scholarship Fund, contact Kim Robinson in Institutional Advancement at ext. 5-3700 or trowbrid@umbc.edu.

For more information on financial aid and scholarships, visit www.umbc.edu/financialaid/.

Warren Belasco, American Studies, in the Baltimore Sun
Professor of American Studies Warren Belasco discussed the region’s culinary identity, telling the Baltimore Sun that “the marked decline of the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population ‘is a little disturbing. It is so much a part of the Chesapeake identity. (But) that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways that foods have meaning besides where they’re actually produced.’ ” The story, “Fine Smorgasbord for Marylanders to Savor,” appeared on July 9.

www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/bal-fo.iconic09jul09,0,60137.story

Thomas Blass, Psychology, in the New York Times
The New York Times interviewed Thomas Blass, professor of psychology, regarding the psychologist Stanley Milgram’s obedience studies during the early 1960s. The story cited the biography Blass wrote on Milgram, The Man Who Shocked the World. The article, “Decades Later, Still Asking: Would I Pull That Switch?” ran on July 1.

www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/health/research/01mind.html?ref=science

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the News
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s latest column for the Baltimore Sun focused on the unique qualities of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. “The fact that he is not just a different American politician but an atypical African-American politician has played a significant role in Mr. Obama’s history-making run this year,” Schaller wrote. The column, “Obama Unlike Any Politician, Black or White,” ran on July 3.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller03jul03,0,7194328.column

Schaller’s opinion column for the New York Times opinion page refuted the strategy offered by some Obama supporters that being an African-American will help Obama carry the South, a barren area for Democratic candidates in recent elections. The column, “The South Will Fall Again,” ran on July 1.
www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/opinion/01schaller.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Speaking with one of the newspaper’s national political reporters, Schaller told the New York Times, “The notion that the Democrats have to win in the South is just a fiction.” The story, “Obama Camp Thinks Democrats Can Rise in South,” appeared on June 30.
www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/us/politics/30south.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&hp&adxnnlx=1214811592-0cuny2K3ql0P6vlkHb3eBg&oref=slogin

Schaller discussed his book on Democratic Party presidential politics, Whistling Past Dixie, in a question-and-answer interview with Forbes.com. The interview, “Southern Discomfort,” ran on July 26.
www.forbes.com/books/2008/06/26/soouth-obama-election-oped-books-cz_dr_0626bookreview.html

The women’s political action committee EMILY’S List seeks to rebound from losses in 2006 and Hillary Rodham Clinton’s failed White House bid. “People will ask if they’ve lost their mojo, just because Hillary (Clinton) lost and because of the (2006) congressional elections,” Schaller told National Journal magazine. “I don’t think it is necessarily because of anything that they’ve done, but I don’t know that it’s not. People are puzzling over this.” The story, “Can EMILY’S List Get Its Mojo Back?” ran in the June 28 issue.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cs_20080628_6871.php

Anne Spence, Mechanical Engineering, on WTTG-Fox 5
Anne Spence, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, appeared live on WTTG-Fox 5 during a remote broadcast from Port Discovery in Baltimore. The station, based in Washington, D.C., interviewed her about a robots exhibition at the children’s museum. The interview aired during the morning of June 23.
www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=6826801&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=5.2.1

Manil Suri, Mathematics, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun profiled Manil Suri, professor of mathematics. The cover story in the Sunday “Arts & Life Today” section focused on Suri’s novel, The Age of Shiva, and his work as a mathematician. The story, “Family Ties,” ran on July 6.
www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/custom/altoday/bal-al.suri06jul06,0,3400198.story

UMBC in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
Diverse: Issues in Higher Education reported on the success of the UMBC Meyerhoff Scholarship Program as the program celebrated its 20th anniversary. The article, “The Meyerhoff Model,” quoting President Hrabowski and several alumni, ran in the July 10 issue.
http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_11378.shtml

Robert Deluty, Psychology, Featured in The Pegasus Review
Robert Deluty, associate professor of psychology, is the featured poet in the July 2008
issue of The Pegasus Review. Eleven of his poems appear in this issue, including the following:

Getting It

To be content, I must create
A work of art, of literature, of science;
Something unique, something my own.
And to be happy, truly happy,
My creations must be recognized,
Acclaimed and enduring.

How sad, his wife replied,
That evoking a smile, teaching a lesson,
Watching a sunset, relieving a burden
Provide you with neither contentment
Nor happiness.

You don’t get it, he shouted.
Thank goodness, she sighed.

Brendan Mundorf ’06 Named to Second Consecutive Major Lacrosse League All-Star Team
Former UMBC Retriever attackman Brendan Mundorf ’06, sociology, has been selected to compete in the seventh annual Major League Lacrosse (MLL) All-Star game. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, July 17, 8 p.m. MT at Denver’s INVESCO Field at Mile High.

The all-stars were selected by the league's head coaches, general managers and players. Drew Westervelt ’07, economics (Outlaws), Terry Kimener (Chicago Machine) and Josh Porcell (Boston Cannons) are other former Retrievers competing in the MLL.

www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/mlacrosse/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=4162

UMBC Receives Award from the National Safety Council
UMBC has received an Occupational Excellence Achievement Award from the National Safety Council. The award recognizes members who have reported injuries and illnesses that resulted in lost days equal to or less than 50% of the Bureau of Labor Standards rating.

Because of the physical and financial toll of workplace injuries and illnesses (health care and workers' compensation costs, absenteeism and decreased productivity), safety practices are vital. Good safety habits, behaviors and attitudes contribute to creating a healthy, vital work environment and support UMBC’s Wellness in the Workplace Initiative.

Although the award for outstanding safety practices was presented to the Environmental Safety and Health Department, it appropriately names UMBC as the recipient. This is truly a community accomplishment.