The millions who follow the NCAA men’s basketball tournament know the importance of these three letters: RPI. Put them together and one has the Ratings Percentage Index, the system used since 1981 to select and rank teams for the March brackets mayhem so ingrained in the American sporting fabric.

The UMBC Retrievers never had beaten an opponent with an RPI ranking as high as 53. That changed December 23 in Lincoln, Neb., when the Retrievers upset the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 66-64.

Nebraska is a member of the Big 12 conference, one of the country’s top six conferences (with the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big East, Southeastern and Pacific 10 conferences). The win was UMBC’s first over a team from one of the six major conferences.

Moreover, the Retrievers, 6-5, ended the eighth-longest non-conference home winning streak in the country. Nebraska had not lost a home game to a non-conference opponent since losing to the University of Alabama-Birmingham in December 2005. The Cornhuskers’ winning streak in non-conference home games had reached 31.

In 2007-08, head coach Randy Monroe led UMBC to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament. The Retrievers, regular season champions in the America East Conference, secured an automatic bid by winning the tournament championship game at UMBC.

“I am extremely proud of our men’s basketball team and the success Randy Monroe and his staff are having after reaching the NCAA Tournament last season,” said UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III. “These young men continue to balance historic achievements for UMBC on the basketball court with a commitment to strong academic
work.”

Coverage of the upset, which ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale noted in the network’s on-air coverage December 23, can be found at

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=283580158 and

http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/mbball/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=4433.

Women’s Basketball Guard Named Rookie of the Week
UMBC guard Michelle Kurowski ’12 was named America East Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Week for the second week in a row. Kurowski currently ranks second in scoring in the America East with 17.4 points per game this season.

http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/wbball/release.asp?release_id=4421

President Hrabowski in the Raleigh News & Observer
The Raleigh News & Observer reported that President Hrabowski would receive an honorary degree from North Carolina State University during its fall commencement ceremony Wednesday, December 17. The story, “Bill Cowher of Steelers to Give NCSU Speech,” appeared Monday, December 15.

http://www.raleigh3.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=1662&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2724&hn=raleigh3&he=.com

Virginia McConnell, Economics, on National Public Radio
Virginia McConnell, professor of economics, was a guest commentator on the National Public Radio business program Marketplace. McConnell’s commentary argued that higher gas prices and taxes could be good for the auto industry and the planet. The story aired Monday, December 15.

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/15/pm_gas_tax/

John Rennie Short, Public Policy, in Stateline.org
An opinion column on Stateline.org by Professor of Public Policy John Rennie Short called for new thinking and oversight regarding spending on new infrastructure in the U.S. “In order to short-circuit the possibilities of future bridges to nowhere, we need a bipartisan commission that evaluates objectively the cost and benefit of major infrastructural investment,” he wrote. The commentary, “New Infrastructure Spending Demands New Thinking, Oversight,” ran Tuesday, December 16.

http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=363320

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
In his latest column for the Baltimore Sun, Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller assesses the opportunities and challenges Barack Obama’s election presents for African-American political leaders. “The significance has largely been couched in terms of the election of a mixed-race candidate by a multi-racial coalition in a suddenly post-racial America. This is a convenient, incomplete truth that ignores the meaning of Mr. Obama's win for national black politics, including organizations like the Congressional Black Caucus and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, as well as the African-American community generally,” Schaller wrote. The column, “Raising Expectations,” ran Tuesday, December 16.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller16dec16,0,1230529.column

UMBC in the Baltimore Examiner
UMBC has received a grant from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Higher Education Investment Fund. The grant money will support the development of courses in UMBC’s Engineering Management and Electrical Engineering master’s programs that will assist the needs of professionals relocating to Aberdeen and Fort Meade. The Baltimore Examiner cited the grant as part of its recent coverage of the BRAC initiative. The story, “State Gives Tax Break to BRAC Areas,” appeared Tuesday, December 16.

http://www.baltimoreexaminer.com/local/121608brac.html

UMBC Camerata in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun reported that the UMBC Camerata will appear with popular singer Kenny Rogers during his annual Christmas special concert Sunday, December 21, at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theater. The story, “Holiday Show Isn’t Much of a Gamble for Kenny Rogers,” appeared Thursday, December 18.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-li.kenny18dec18,0,105921.story

UMBC has received a grant from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Higher Education Investment Fund. The grant money will support the development of courses in UMBC’s Engineering Management and Electrical Engineering master’s programs that will assist the needs of professionals relocating to Aberdeen and Fort Meade.

Vice Provost for Continuing and Professional Studies John Martello said, “This grant will enable UMBC to meaningfully respond to BRAC workforce needs, and will usefully extend our reach and reputation in areas of critical need through our professional master's programs in Engineering Management and Electrical Engineering.”

UMBC will enhance two existing degree programs in order to respond to BRAC workforce needs:

*M.S. and Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management: In order to provide convenience for working students, reduce commuting time and increase classroom capacity, UMBC will convert five graduate courses to a hybrid format. Four of the five courses comprise a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management that will have broad appeal with a variety of technical or engineering managers at Fort Meade and Aberdeen. All of these courses also transfer into UMBC’s Engineering Management master’s program.

*M.S. in Electrical Engineering: Based on feedback from a series of focus groups with engineering CEOs and managers in organizations moving to Fort Meade and Aberdeen, UMBC will develop four new graduate courses in electrical engineering that are responsive to workforce needs. These new courses will become part of UMBC’s existing M.S. in Electrical Engineering, and four of the courses will comprise a new graduate certificate.

“Congratulations go to Chris Morris, director of new program development in Continuing and Professional Studies and lead author and Co-PI on the project, as well as our colleagues in the College of Engineering and Information Technology,” added Martello. “We are very proud to have been selected, and we are grateful for the leadership and collaboration on the part of the Provost, Dean's Council and faculty who contributed to this effort, particularly Charles Nicholas, professor and chair of computer science and electrical engineering; Ted Foster, assistant dean, College of Engineering and Information Technology; and Charles LaBerge, instructor, computer science and electrical engineering.”

The following employees were honored at the annual Service Awards ceremony held Wednesday, December 10, in the University Center Ballroom.

Office of the President
5 Years
Bria McElroy, Office of the President

Academic Affairs
5 Years
Michael D’Archangelo, Athletics
Jessica Hammond, Athletics
Michael Feder, Hilltop Institute
Rebekah Porter, Undergraduate Admissions
Janelle Price, Upward Bound program

10 Years
David Bobb, Athletics
John Malloch, Hilltop Institute
Nataliya Lysenko, Financial Aid
Arthur Brown, International Education Services
Christina Williams, Library
Pamela Hawley, Office of the Registrar

15 Years
Debra Mathews, Athletics
Donald Zimmerman, Athletics
Lamont Toliver, Meyerhoff

20 Years
Beverly Conner, Library
Alicia Arkell-Kleis, Office of the Registrar
Sarah Hill, Office of the Registrar

Academic Affairs
25 Years
Laura Weathers, Library

30 Years
Lidia Schechter, Library
Paulette Jackson, Office of Enrollment Management
Stanley Kahn, Office of Enrollment Management

35 Years
Kathleen Zerrlaut, Athletics

Retirees
Virginia Thomas, Hilltop Institute
Sherma Platt, Library
David Hollander, Office of Enrollment
Eileen Neville, School of Social Work

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
5 Years
Eric Smallwood, Imaging Research Center
Kirsty Carrihill-Knoll, Psychology

10 Years
Dawn Orndoff, MIPAR
Pamela Mollen, Public Policy

15 Years
Torpkai Miazad, MIPAR
Phyllis Addison, Visual Arts

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
20 Years
Mary Bokman, Psychology
Charles Myers, Visual Arts

25 Years
Janice Jackson, Music
Janice O’Neill, Office of the Dean
Elaine O’Heir, Psychology

30 Years
William Tudor, Center for Art and Visual Culture

Retiree
Terri Harold, Psychology

College of Engineering and Information Technology
5 Years
Shirley Zongker, STEM Education

10 Years
Leon Dague, Office of the Dean
Bethany Spore, Office of the Dean
Robert Chester, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

15 Years
Victor Fulda, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
John Gottschalk, Mechanical Engineering
Lyn Randers, Office of the Dean

20 Years
Andrea Lorick, Information Systems

25 Years
Vera Douglass, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

35 Years
James Milani, Office of the Dean

College of Engineering and Information Technology
Retiree
Joy Abee, Office of the Dean

College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
10 Years
Anthony Baney, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dorothy Caplan, Office of the Dean
Kathleen Wimpling, Physics

15 Years
Carol Greitner, Biology

20 Years
Susan Schneider, Biology
Colleen Wilkens, Biology

35 Years
Paul Ciotta, Physics

Retiree
Gloria Cameron, Office of the Dean

Continuing and Professional Studies
Shriver Center
5 Years
Katherine Randall, The Choice Program-Shriver Center
Casey Miller, Shriver Center

10 Years
Beverly Bickel, English Language Center, Continuing and
Professional Studies
Christopher Steele, Continuing and Professional Studies
LaMar Davis, The Choice Program-Shriver Center
Cindy Poland, Shriver Center

15 Years
Timothy Lynch, Continuing and Professional Studies

25 Years
Bridget Stone, Continuing and Professional Studies

Erickson School of Aging Studies
5 Years
Kathleen Marmon, Erickson School of Aging Studies

10 Years
Tammy Pedrick, Erickson School of Aging Studies

Retirees
Jean Shryock, Erickson School of Aging Studies

Office of Undergraduate Education
5 Years
Lorine Dabek, Learning Resources Center

15 Years
Barbara Smith, Undergraduate Education

Research Administration and Graduate Education
5 Years
Katherine Lemich, Graduate School
Pamela Lubaszewski, Graduate School
Renetta Tull, Graduate School

Research Administration and Graduate Education
10 Years
Kathleen Miller, Graduate School
Kathlyn Miller, Graduate School
Lisa Portis Morgan, Graduate School

20 Years
Vicki Greisman, Graduate School

Retiree
Kelly Caples, Graduate School

Research Administration and Graduate Education
5 Years
Bernadette Hanlon, Center for Urban Environmental Research & Education

20 Years
Wendy Martin, Office of Technology Development

25 Years
Timothy Sparklin, Human and Animal Research Protections Office

Administration and Finance
5 Years
Rene McCoy, Campus Card and Mail Services
Gerald DeBethizy, Facilities Management
Herman Mooney, Facilities Management
Carl Anderson, University Police
Thomas MacDonald, University Police
Chester Smith, University Police

Administration and Finance
10 Years
Stanley Antoszewski, Facilities Management
Sheldon Finkelstein, Facilities Management
Charles Hogan, Facilities Management
Robert Penn, Facilities Management
Robert Preston, Financial Services
Sharon Quinn, Procurement
Sylvia Wickham, Procurement
Walter Schulz, Technology Center
Bruce Perry, University Police

15 Years
James Donlan, Facilities Management
Joseph Klein, Facilities Management
Alvin Blakely, Facilities Management
Norbert Wilson, Facilities Management

20 Years
Victoria Lloyd, Campus Card and Mail Services
Courtney Allen, Human Resources
Teresa Werner, Human Resources

25 Years
Richard Mason, Facilities Management
Barry Riley, Facilities Management
James Williams, Technology Center

30 Years
David Cole, Facilities Management
Larry Hern, Facilities Management

35 Years
George Vitak, Campus Card and Mail Services
William Wilkins, University Police

Administration and Finance
Retirees
Clolita Vitale, Administration and Finance
Phillip Carroll, Campus Card and Mail Services
Robert Nielsen, Environmental Safety and Health
Nancy Gunkel, Facilities Management
Ronald Hamilton, Facilities Management
Edward Strine, Facilities Management
Michael Tunney, Facilities Management
Cynthia Turgeon, Financial Services
Darlene Williams, Financial Services
Charles Gibson, University Police

Student Affairs
5 Years
Sharon Jacobs, Residential Life
David Hoffman, Student Life
Joel Dewyer, University Commons

10 Years
Ryan Bos, Residential Life
Curtis Roberts, Residential Life/Facilities Management
Saju Velliyamattam, Residential Life/Facilities Management
Lisa Swaby-Rowe, Student Life
Joseph Regier, University Commons

20 Years
Joan Allen, Career Development Center
Valerie Grays, Residential Life
Shelly Graham, Student Affairs
Donique Lewis, Student Affairs
Susan Hughes, University Health Services

Student Affairs
35 Years
Myrle Combs, Student Affairs

Institutional Advancement
10 Years
Sandra Campbell, Institutional Advancement
Charles Rose, Marketing and Creative Services

25 Years
Earnestine Baker, Institutional Advancement

Information Technology
5 Years
Kevin Joseph, Business Systems

10 Years
Todd Haddaway, Business Systems
Paul Harley, Business Systems
Jeff Glascock, Infrastructure and Support
Jason Griego, Infrastructure and Support
Anderson Johnston, Infrastructure and Support
Daniel Loftus, Infrastructure and Support
Anna Perez, Infrastructure and Support
Charles Philipp, Infrastructure and Support
Robert Armstrong, New Media

15 Years
Elizabeth Blanchette, Business Systems
James Krebs, Infrastructure and Support
John Fritz, New Media

Information Technology
20 Years
Debora Grimm, Information Technology
Laura Brown, Infrastructure and Support
Barbara Myers, Infrastructure and Support

25 Years
Steven Ostrove, Infrastructure and Support

35 Years
Joan Costello, Instructional Technology

President’s Council
15 Years
Gregory Simmons, Institutional Advancement
David Gleason, Legal Affairs

20 Years
Geoffrey Summers, Research Administration

35 Years
John Jeffries, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Retiree
Sheldon Caplis, Institutional Advancement

To view a complete list of winners, click here.

The UMBC community celebrated the dedication and achievements of UMBC staff at the annual Service Awards on December 10 in the UC Ballroom. Sponsored by the Department of Human Resources, the ceremony honored staff for years of service as well as retirees and employees of the quarter this year.

“The Service Awards Program is a special time for the Human Resources Department,” said Valerie Thomas, associate vice president, human resources. “The event provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the accomplishments of members of the UMBC community. We believe that the talents and dedication of UMBC’s staff members contribute enormously to the University achieving its mission and vision. We are honored to have the privilege and pleasure of hosting the event that highlights the service of our staff.”

This year was especially exciting, as Human Resources worked with the New Media Studio to produce 30-45 second digital stories, giving Service Awards recipients with 30 or more years of service an opportunity to share their thoughts about the UMBC experience. The idea to incorporate the stories into the ceremony came from one of the newest members of the HR team, Jill Weinknecht Wardell, training and OD specialist. The theme of the video was “Gifts given, gifts received and the lessons for the next UMBC generation of faculty and staff.”

Human Resources thanks the Service Awards Planning Committee members for all they did to make the day special: Rochelle Sanders, Kimberly Harris, Shobhna Arora, Sherrell McNamara, Denise Rollins, Shannon Mize, Michele Kimery and Jill Weinknecht Wardell.

To view a complete list of winners, click here.

Alan Gephardt ’78, M.A. Historical Studies, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun profiled Alan Gephardt ’78, M.A. historical studies, and his work as a ranger at the Hampton National Historic Site. Gephardt also works at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. For the past 15 years, he has created programs and managed volunteers at various historic sites throughout Maryland. The story, “We Are All Connected,” appeared Sunday, December 7.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/investing/bal-bz.ml.atwork07dec07,0,395874.story

Robert Hanyok ’02, M.A. Historical Studies, in The New York Times
The New York Times reported that Robert Hanyok ’02, M.A. historical studies, contributed to a documentary history released earlier this month by the National Security Agency regarding U.S. intelligence immediately before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. “Washington also missed potential warning signs because intelligence resources had been diverted to the Atlantic theater, (Hanyok) said, and the Japanese deftly practiced deception to mislead Americans about the whereabouts of Tokyo’s naval strike force.” The story, “Report Debunks Theory That the U.S. Heard a Coded Warning About Pearl Harbor,” ran Saturday, December 6.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/us/07pearl.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Hanyok&st=cse

President Hrabowski on WMAR-TV 2
President Hrabowski was interviewed by WMAR-TV 2 regarding the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. The live interview aired Monday, December 9, during the station’s Good Morning, Maryland program.

http://www.abc2news.com/content/gmm/megan-blog/story/Crossroads-Of-History/0A8pHBO6fES6YySHpJ81sA.cspx

Robert Provine, Psychology, in the News
The National Public Radio program Morning Edition interviewed Professor of Psychology Robert Provine regarding a recently published book on how happiness can be contagious. The interview aired Friday, December 5.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97831171

Provine spoke with the British Broadcasting Corporation program The Naked Scientists about why humans laugh at jokes. The interview aired during the Sunday, December 7, weekly broadcast.

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/questions/question/2188/

UMBC in the Annapolis Capital/Gazette Newspapers
The Anne Arundel County Public Schools System has initiated a science, technology, engineering and mathematics magnet program. The Annapolis Capital/Gazette Newspapers reported that UMBC and Anne Arundel Community College are providing instructors to help guide lessons. The story, “Hands On Education” appeared Wednesday, December 10.

http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/news/mdgazette/2008/12/10-02/Hands-on+education.html

Camerata and Choir to Perform with Kenny Rogers (12/21)
The UMBC Camerata and Choir will perform with singer Kenny Rogers on Sunday, December 21, 7 p.m., at the Hippodrome Theatre, during the portion of Rogers' show devoted to Christmas music.

Tickets for the general public cost $75 to 100 and are available at the Hippodrome Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, Charge-by-Phone 410-547-SEAT and 800-551-SEAT and online at http://www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Groups of 15 or more should call 866-577-7469.

Student Isolates Bacteriophage
Honors College student Nhikita Kaul ’11, financial economics, isolated and named the bacteriophage Nastiophage. Kaul isolated the phage while a student in HONR215, Phage Hunters. The course was developed and taught by Steve Caruso, James Sandoz and Jessica Kelsey with guidance from Graham Hatfull and training and support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance program.

President Hrabowski in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun reported that President Hrabowski was named to theU.S.News & World Report “America’s Best Leaders 2008” list. The story noted that President Hrabowski has turned UMBC “into a top-ranked research institution.” The column of assorted news items ran Friday, November 28.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella28nov28,0,2796360.column

George LaNoue, Political Science, in the Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that George LaNoue, professor of political science and public policy, is co-author of a paper for the Catholic University Law Review arguing that many colleges have largely disregarded the U.S. Supreme Court’s admonition to consider other options before using race-conscious admissions policies. The story, “Colleges Are Accused of Giving Little Consideration to Alternatives to Affirmative Action,” ran in the paper’s news blog Monday, December 1.

http://chronicle.com/news/index.php?id=5584&utm_source=pm&utm_medium=en

Dana Mark Levitz '70, Theatre, in the Daily Record of Maryland
The Daily Record of Maryland profiled Dana Mark Levitz '70, theatre, as he retires from the bench of the Baltimore County Circuit Court. “It’s been phenomenal. I can’t imagine a more satisfying profession,” he said. The story, “Judge Levitz Steps Down After 23 Years,” appeared Sunday, November 30.

http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=9162&type=UTTM

Janet Rutledge, Graduate School, in the Chronicle of Higher Education
At a session during the annual meeting of the Council of Graduate Schools, three scholars said there is no legitimate reason for universities to give up on diversifying doctoral education. “Diversity programs can only be successful if the climate for all students is a good one,” said session panelist Janet Rutledge, the interim vice provost for graduate education. The Chronicle of Higher Education reported on the session and noted that UMBC is among the 29 institutions participating in the Council of Graduate Schools’ Ph.D. Completion Project. The story, “What Universities Can Do to Graduate More Minority Ph.D.’s,” ran Thursday, December 4.

http://chronicle.com/daily/2008/12/8011n.htm

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
In his latest column for the Baltimore Sun, Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller argued that in these times “America is no center-right country” politically. “Pluralities, if not majorities, of Americans favor protecting reproductive choice, maintaining Social Security, doing more to combat global warming and investing more in education.” The column, “Closer Look Shows ‘Center-Right’ Nation Leans to Left,” ran Tuesday, December 2.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller02dec02,0,6805680.column

UMBC Department of Public Policy, Erickson School in the Baltimore Sun
The November 2008 Baltimore Sun special section on education featured both the Department of Public Policy and the Erickson School. Don Norris, professor of public policy and director of MIPAR, discussed the curriculum and diversity of students in the department. The article was titled, “Public Policy: Higher Education Key to Advancement.” David Sachs, academic program chair and vice dean of the Erickson School, discussed the school’s undergraduate and graduate management of aging services degree programs in the article, “Boomers Reshape Aging Programs.”

(The Baltimore Sun does not provide an electronic link to its Sunday, November 23, Education supplement.)

Kevin KAL Kallaugher to Participate in Stoop Storytelling Series
Kevin KAL Kallaugher will tell a seven-minute story at the Stoop Holiday Hoopla: A Charm City Season Spectacular on Monday, December 15, at the The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore.

Each Stoop show features seven storytellers who get seven minutes each to tell a true, personal story about a specific theme. No notes, no scripts, no actors - just true stories, artfully told. Other storytellers at the December 15 event include Mary Alice Yeskey, “Ace of Cakes” star and manager of Charm City Cakes; Maria Broom, actress on “The Wire;” and Shelia Dixon, mayor of Baltimore.

For more information, visit http://www.stoopstorytelling.com/.

Alan M. Scherr ’85, visual and performing arts - photography and his daughter Naomi were among the Americans killed in the terrorist attacks at the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai, India, on November 26, 2008.

Scherr is remembered by UMBC faculty and staff as a superlative craftsman and an inspired image maker. He later earned an M.F.A. degree from George Washington University.

Jaromir Stephany, associate professor emeritus, visual arts, said, "There is so much I remember about Alan. I thought his work was provocative and remember how he spent so much time to thinking out his images. He was profoundly interested in the thoughts of Minor White, my mentor, and the unknown edges of life."

Scherr taught photography at UMBC in the 1980s and at Loyola College of Maryland in the 1990s while working as a freelance photographer. He also worked as a master printer specializing in platinum and palladium printing. His prints from the negatives of John G. Bullock, Photo-Secessionist and associate of Alfred Stieglitz, were the basis of renewed appreciation for Bullock’s images in the 1989 Library Gallery exhibition and the book titled An American Vision: John G. Bullock and the Photo-Secession by Tom Beck (Aperture in Association with University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1989). Scherr also provided the platinum prints for The Artful Eye: Images by John G. Bullock, a portfolio of six prints published by UMBC in 1997.

Chief Curator Tom Beck remembers that Scherr developed his exacting approach to making images while a student at UMBC. “He took to the use of the large sized view cameras, and photography became a means of meditation for him; it was a connection to the inner pulse of the world,” Beck says. “In Scherr’s view, photography was a way of developing one’s potential in all realms of life, and this was a value that he gave to his students. He was a man of peace whose contemplation of trees was an expression of his belief that humanity could live in harmony with the natural world. “

For many years, Scherr was closely associated with the Synchronicity Foundation -- a non-profit, non-sectarian, spiritual and educational organization -- and served as its president.

"Alan was a participant in the early days of the visual arts department," said Stephany. " Both my wife Therese and I are in shock that such a caring and thoughtful man came to such an undeserving end. Our hearts go out to his family and friends for this tragic conclusion to a life of gentleness."

The thoughts and sympathies of the UMBC community go out to Kia Scherr, his spouse, and the Scherr family: his mother Carolyn; his brother Mark; and his sister Susan.
A tribute site is online at www.alanandnaomi.com/.