Manil Suri, Mathematics, in The New York Times Magazine
In its September 21 issue, The New York Times Magazine published an essay by Manil Suri, professor of mathematics and statistics, for its “Lives” section. Suri reflected on his experiences as a math professor and new discoveries he has made about effective teaching practices. The magazine cites his new novel, The Age of Shiva.

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/magazine/index.html

Lynne Schaefer, Administration and Finance, in the Baltimore Sun's B Daily
B, the free daily tabloid published by the Baltimore Sun, reported on environmentally friendly initiatives undertaken by several Maryland colleges and universities. Lynne Schaefer, vice president for administration and finance, discussed UMBC’s participation in the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. The article, “Maryland Colleges Go for Green,” appeared September 23.

http://www.bthesite.com/archives/2008/09/maryland-colleges-go-green/

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s latest column for the Baltimore Sun focused on the recent federal bailouts of failing certain financial institutions in the U.S. Schaller wrote that voters should notice “how those same chest-thumping capitalists of talk radio and at the corporate-funded think tanks often fall silent in the face of fixed markets, no-bid contracts, bailouts and subsidies for the very corporations that demand less government oversight when things are going well, then turn to Washington when things go horribly wrong. The hypocrisies abound.” The column, “Saving the Wealthy with Socialism, Conservative-Style,” ran September 23.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller23sep23,0,7915225.column

Stuart Schwartz, CUERE, in the Washington Post
Homeowners who want to install a rain garden should do some homework first about soil conditions and other factors. Stuart Schwartz, senior research scientist at the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education (CUERE), told the Washington Post it’s common for contractors to level the land and re-grade it with compacted clean fill. The story, “A Lesson in ‘Rainscaping’: Building a Garden That Makes the Best Use of Water,” ran September 20.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/19/AR2008091901656.html?referrer=emailarticle

Zeynep Tufekci, Sociology, in The New York Times
The New York Times interviewed Zeynep Tufekci, an assistant professor in the sociology department, about a Dentyne chewing gum advertising campaign that encourages young people to disconnect from the Internet and connect with one another more personally. “I think most college kids would roll their eyes at the ads,” she said. “In fact, they’re checking out these (networking) sites in the hopes that sooner or later it will end up in a hug or kiss.” The story, “Get Off the Internet, and Chew Some Gum,” ran September 25.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/business/media/25adco.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=zeynep&st=cse&oref=slogin

UMBC’s Golden Key Chapter Achieves Gold Chapter Standing
UMBC’s Golden Key chapter achieved a Gold chapter standing, the highest reporting standard in the Golden Key International Honour Society. UMBC was recently recognized for this honor at the 2008 Golden Key International Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dan Bulls ’09, Andrew Bulls ’12, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun profiled Dan Bulls ’09 and Andrew Bulls ’12, brothers who play midfield for the men’s soccer team. They are the first siblings to start for Head Coach Pete Caringi in Caringi’s 18 years at UMBC. The story, “Midfield Brother Act Has Retrievers Feeling Bullish,” ran September 17.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/other/bal-sp.colnotes17sep17,0,2429758.story

Duff Goldman ’97, Geof Manthorne in the Baltimore Sun
Geof Manthorne, who attended UMBC, is winning acclaim from fans in his role as the cake decorator for Duff Goldman ’97, history and philosophy, on the Food Network program "Ace of Cakes." The Baltimore Sun noted the program, which follows the work of Goldman’s company Charm City Cakes, “has transformed the 34-year-old Manthorne into the unlikeliest of heartthrobs.” The story, “ ‘Ace of Cakes’ Fans Have a Thing for Bakery Artist Geof Mantorne,” ran September 17.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/bal-fo.geof17sep17,0,1804256.story

Ari Ne’eman ’10 in Education Week
Some advocates on behalf of groups with specific disabilities have different perspectives on where awareness efforts should be focused. Ari Ne’eman ’10, president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, promotes “quality of life and ‘systems change’ efforts” more than finding a cure for autism. Noting that autism is not a disease to be cured, Ne’eman told Education Week, “Awareness isn’t enough. We need to look at acceptance.” The article, “In Advocacy Realm, Specific Disabilities Gain in Prominence,” ran September 17.

Manil Suri, Mathematics, in The New York Times Magazine
In its September 21 issue, The New York Times Magazine is scheduled to publish an essay by Manil Suri, professor of mathematics and statistics, for its “Lives” section. Suri reflected on his experiences as a math professor and new discoveries he has made about effective teaching practices. The magazine cites his new novel, The Age of Shiva.

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/magazine/index.html

Corris Davis to Serve on Council for Opportunity in Education Board of Directors
UMBC Upward Bound Director Corris Davis was elected president-elect of the Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP), which is UMBC’s regional association of TRIO professionals in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. In December 2008, she will officially become a member of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) Board of Directors. The Upward Bound Program at UMBC was initiated in 1989 and promotes the development and enhancement of students’ basic skills, academic and cultural enrichment and the motivation necessary to matriculate at and gradate from college. Upward Bound serves students who have demonstrated academic potential and who meet the income and first generation to obtain a four-year college degree criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education.

Former UMBC Lacrosse Players Chosen in National Draft
Cayle Ratcliff and Terry Kimener ’08, two former UMBC men’s lacrosse standouts, were chosen in the National Lacrosse League 2008 Entry Draft Sunday, September 7. Ratcliffe played one season for the Retrievers and was an America East all-rookie selection in 2007. Kimener was the 2008 America East Player of the Year.

Piotr Gwiazda Serves as Writer-in-Residence, James Merrill House
Piotr Gwiazda, associate professor of English, is currently writer-in-residence at the James Merrill House in Stonington, Connecticut. He will spend this fall semester pursuing creative writing and researching his book on U.S. poetry in the era of globalization.

Bill Shewbridge Promoted to Director of New Media Studio
Bill Shewbridge has been promoted from manager to director of UMBC's New Media Studio. The Studio has flourished under Shewbridge’s leadership, which has also been recognized nationally. Following a 2007 Telly Award for the Studio's Digital Storytelling project at the Charlestown Retirement Village, Shewbridge and the NMS staff were recently honored with a 2008 Centers of Excellence Award by the New Media Consortium for "leadership in capturing and disseminating digital stories across the institution.

For more information about the New Media Studio, visit http://www.umbc.edu/studio.

Baltimore City Paper Names Elena Zlotescu Best Costume Designer
Elena Zlotescu, associate professor of theatre, was named Best Costume Designer by Baltimore City Paper. Zlotescu has been the resident costume designer for more than 20 years for UMBC’s theatre and dance productions.

To read the complete article, visit http://www.citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=16678.

2008 Regent Award Winners Announced
Catherine M. Bielawski, director of undergraduate student services in the Department of Information Technology and Engineering, received an award for "Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment."

For "Exceptional Contribution to the Institution and/or Unit to Which a Person Belongs," Dennis P. Cuddy, manager of administration and facilities in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, received the exempt award and Patricia Martin, program management specialist from student support services, received the non-exempt award.

From the Office of Institutional Advancement, Karen Sweeney-Jett, executive administrative assistant, and Earnestine Baker, assistant to the vice president and executive director of the Meyerhoff Scholarship Program, were both recognized at the Board of Regents meeting with 2008 Regents Awards. Both were recognized in the category of “Extraordinary Public Service to the University or the Greater Community.”

Rachel Franklin, Music, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun reviewed a live jazz piano performance by Rachel Franklin, an adjunct faculty member in the music department, at the 49 West Coffee House in Annapolis. The story cited the “distinctive jazz magic” she offered with her husband, bass guitarist Jonathan Miles Brown. The story, “Franklin Sparkles at the Piano,” ran September 11.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.franklin11sep11,0,4668320.story

Josh Michael ’10 in the Baltimore Sun
Josh Michael ’10, the student regent on the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents, wrote an opinion essay for the Baltimore Sun recognizing the quality and value of educational opportunities provided by USM schools. “USM includes 11 universities that provide broad choices in academic and professional programs and a wide range of campus and cultural experiences. Thousands of students are making their own ‘first choices’ and discovering just how far Maryland's public universities can take them,” Michael wrote. The piece, “Maryland Universities Offer an Ideal Path to Success,” ran September 5.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.say05sep05,0,2277833.story

Edward Orser, American studies, in the Baltimore Sun
A four-alarm fire on September 8 destroyed one end of Edmondson Village Shopping Center, a historic outdoor strip mall in West Baltimore. “It was the Harborplace of its day,” Edward Orser, professor of American studies, told the Baltimore Sun. Orser has studied and written about the neighborhood extensively. The article, “Blaze at Historic Strip Mall,” ran September 9.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.fire09sep09,0,4858018.story

Zeynep Tufekci, Sociology, in The New York Times Magazine
The New York Times Magazine interviewed Zeynep Tufekci, an assistant professor in the sociology department, about social computing and new media. “The current generation is never unconnected,” Tufekci said. “They’re never losing touch with their friends. So we’re going back to a more normal place, historically. If you look at human history, the idea that you would drift through life, going from new relation to new relation, that’s very new. It’s just the 20th century.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07awareness-t.html?pagewanted=6&_r=1&sq=maryland%20baltimore%20county&st=cse&scp=4

Karen Sweeney-Jett and Earnestine Baker Receive 2008 Regent Awards
From the Office of Institutional Advancement, Karen Sweeney-Jett, executive administrative assistant, and Earnestine Baker, assistant to the vice president and executive director of the Meyerhoff Scholarship Program, were both recognized at the Board of Regents meeting with 2008 Regents Awards. Both were recognized in the category of “Extraordinary Public Service to the University or the Greater Community.”

Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company Wins Two Metro DC Dance Awards
The Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company, directed by UMBC alumnus Daniel Singh 00’, visual and performing arts dance, has won two awards in the 2008 Metro DC Dance Awards. Dakshina, which is located in the District of Columbia, was given awards for both "Emerging Group" and "Excellence in Costume Design" (shared with Roxann Morgan). For more information, visit http://dakshina.org/News/Online%20articles%20Full/MDCDanceAward9-9-08.php

Plant Sensory Systems Receives a 2008 Innovator of the Year Award
Plant Sensory Systems, which is housed in UMBC's Incubator and Accelerator, has won a 2008 Innovator of the Year Award for genetically engineering plants to be better for the environment. Sponsored by the Maryland Daily Record, these awards honor thinking outside of the box in many ways with different discoveries, inventions, new studies and innovations throughout the state of Maryland in 2008. An awards ceremony will be held Wednesday, October 15, at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, 6-9 p.m. For more information, contact Gail Clough at gail.clough@mddailyrecord.com.

Andrew Bulls Named America East Conference Rookie of the Week
Freshman midfielder Andrew Bulls has been named America East Conference Rookie of the Week for games ending August 31, 2008.

http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/msoccer/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=4202.

Alyssa Lang Named America East Conference Rookie of the Week
UMBC volleyball freshman Alyssa Lang (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) has been named America East Conference Rookie of the Week for the first week ending August 31, 2008.

Lang is the first recipient of the Rookie of the Week award for the 2008 season and the fourth Retriever in a row to win the first conference weekly award.

http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/wvball/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=4201.

Dan Bailey, Imaging Research Center, in the Washington Post Magazine
A combination of sophisticated computer imaging and traditional historical research has helped architects make important discoveries about how city planners first envisioned Washington, D.C., more than 200 years ago. The Washington Post Magazine prominently cited contributions to the project led by the Imaging Research Center and its director, Dan Bailey. The article, “The Beginning of the Road,” appeared August 31.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/magazine/features/2008/dc-1791-to-today/story.html

Christopher Corbett, English, in Baltimore Style Magazine
Christopher Corbett, professor of the practice in the English department, wrote “Once Upon a Mattress” for the September/October issue of Baltimore Style magazine. The column reflected on his wife’s desire for a new mattress and the couple’s effort to find one that is mutually compatible.

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

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the News
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s latest column for the Baltimore Sun suggested the Democrats would be wise to ignore Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin “and let the national conversation about Mrs. Palin go in whatever direction the media take it.” The column, “Dems, Don’t Take the Bait,” ran September 3.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller03sep03,0,6735573.column

As the Republicans planned a list of speakers for their quadrennial convention, presidential nominee John McCain worked to distance himself from the nationwide unpopularity of Republicans in Congress, where southerners dominate the party’s leadership. “The Republican Party is more Southern than it has ever been in its history, but you won't see anything proportionate to the representation of Southern Republicans in Congress,” Schaller told the Boston Globe. The story, “GOP Speaker Roster to Steer Far from Deep South Base,” appeared August 31.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/08/31/gop_speaker_roster_to_steer_far_from_deep_south_base/

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Washington Post
Professor of Public Policy Donald Norris told the Washington Post that despite Gov. Martin O’Malley’s current weakness in public approval polls, he still has a substantial advantage in Maryland because of party registration. The article, “Md. GOP Focuses on Future Possibilities,” ran September 2.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/01/AR2008090102539.html?referrer=emailarticle

Bill Thomas, Erickson School, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun profiled Bill Thomas, a professor in the Erickson School, and his groundbreaking ideas to transform care for elderly people. The story also quoted President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III. The article, “ ‘Superstar’ on Aging,” ran August 31.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/ideas/bal-id.thomas31aug31,0,2729783.story

Join fellow members of the UMBC community and our own Mama's Boys at Frederick Road Fridays on September 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Frederick Road and Egges Lane.

The event will also include local band Red Sammy, and many restaurants will offer specials.

UMBC Transit will provide transportation.

UMBC is a sponsor of Frederick Road Fridays, along with other local organizations.