With 930 contributions totaling $159,441.55, the Maryland Charity Campaign at UMBC was a great success! The following groups and organizations were the most-supported agencies through the MCC.

Maryland Food Bank
American Cancer Society
Animal Rescue
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
House of Ruth of Maryland
Planned Parenthood of Maryland
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
Catholic Charities
Humane Society of Baltimore County
American Diabetes Association
American Red Cross Maryland Chapter

Jeffrey Davis, Political Science, on WYPR-88.1 FM
One of the Obama administration’s earliest actions was the executive order to close the Guantanamo detention camp within the year. “Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast” on WYPR-88.1 FM interviewed Jeffrey Davis, associate professor of political science, regarding this development and other international law issues. The interview aired Wednesday, January 21.

http://www.wypr.org/MD_MORNING.html

Barry Lanman, Martha Ross Center for Oral History, in the Baltimore Examiner
The Baltimore Examiner reported that Barry Lanman, director of the Martha Ross Center for Oral History, will present his research on the 350th anniversary of Baltimore County as the county begins a year-long celebration of the milestone. The news item, “Baltimore County Plans for 350th Anniversary,” ran Friday, January 23.

http://www.baltimoreexaminer.com/local/012309anniversary.html

Don Norris, Public Policy, in the Washington Examiner
As state leaders in Maryland and Virginia developed their budgets, the Washington Examiner reported that “those in Maryland bet on the promise of federal stimulus dollars, while Virginia leaders planned for the worst.” Don Norris, professor of public policy and director of MIPAR, told the Examiner that Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley factored prospective federal stimulus money into his $14.4 billion fiscal 2010 budget. “It’s clear the governor of Maryland did not want to spread the pain. And it looks like the Virginia legislators don’t mind spreading the pain,” Norris said. The story, “Dividing the Stimulus Among D.C., Va., Md., Metro,” ran Thursday, January 29.

http://www.dcexaminer.com/local/Dividing-the-stimulus-among-DC-Va-Md-Metro38564567.html

Manil Suri, Mathematics, on WJZ-TV Channel 13
Manil Suri, professor of mathematics and statistics, was a guest on the “Coffee With” segment of the morning news program on WJZ-TV Channel 13. Suri discussed the paperback-version release of his second novel, The Age of Shiva. The interview aired Thursday, January 29.

http://wjz.com/morningedition/Manil.Suri.professor.2.920926.html

Bill Thomas, Erickson School, in the Washington Post
The Washington Post profiled the emergency room at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland, one of the nation’s first emergency rooms designed to serve a population 65 and older. Bill Thomas, professor of aging studies in the Erickson School, helped the hospital design the new area. The story, “Serenity in Emergencies,” and accompanied video produced by the Erickson School, ran in the Washington Post and on washingtonpost.com Tuesday, January 27.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601872.html?referrer=emailarticle&sid=ST2009012601965&s_pos=

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
In his latest column for the Baltimore Sun, Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller recalled a breakfast meeting with Governor Martin O’Malley in which O’Malley reviewed the progress of his administration. “Masked as it is by his public image as the sleeveless, grinning Celtic rock band frontman, wonkiness is Mr. O’Malley’s most overlooked trait. He spews policy details and figures like an auctioneer,” Schaller wrote. The column, “O’Malley’s Midterm Exam: A’s, B’s and a C-minus,” appeared Tuesday, January 27.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller27jan27,0,5359314.column

Maurice Berger Receives Award from International Association of Art Critics
Maurice Berger, senior research scholar at the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC), is the recipient of The Best Thematic Show in New York in 2008 Award from the International Association of Art Critics for an exhibition he co-curated for The Jewish Museum. The winning projects were nominated and voted on by the 400 active members to honor outstanding exhibitions of the previous season.

Basketball Guard Carlee Cassidy Scores 1,000 Points
UMBC guard Carlee Cassidy ’10 became the 16th player in Retriever history to score 1,000 career points. Cassidy is the fourth-fastest Retriever to reach the milestone as she did it in her 77th career game and just the third to accomplish the feat during her junior season. She is only 381 points away from being the second all-time leading scorer in UMBC women’s basketball history.

http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/wbball/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=4478

Francis A. Chiafari ’82 Named Director of City Crime Lab
Baltimore police named Francis A. Chiafari ’82 director of the city's crime lab, and he began his position Tuesday, January 13. Chiafari has worked wit the city crime lab since 1994 when his company, Baltimore Rh Typing Laboratory, won a contract to perform DNA tests for Baltimore criminal cases. He also has served as a technical adviser for the Police Department.

Fr: Lynne C. Schaefer, Vice President for Administration and Finance

So that we can all be prepared, this would be a good time to review UMBC’s Inclement Weather Policy which is posted at www.umbc.edu/facultystaff/snowpolicy.html.

During inclement weather events, you will find up-to-date information posted on the UMBC homepage and myUMBC. Please note that there is a new campus hotline phone number – 410-455-6789 or ext. 5-6789 from on campus – which will be updated as situations change during such events as well.

I also encourage you to sign up for E2Campus, an emergency alert text-messaging system that will permit the University to notify you regarding any campus-related emergency (such as potential campus safety hazards or campus closures due to weather). The system is compatible with mobile phones, Blackberries, “smart phones,” satellite phones, e-mail, wireless PDAs and pagers. Normal text-messaging rates apply. There are no additional charges. Please sign up for this important service today at http://my.umbc.edu/notifications.

Thank you.

As the spring semester approaches and we look ahead to the next fiscal year, we want to bring you up to date on UMBC’s FY 2009 and proposed FY 2010 budgets.

During FY 2009, we have been managing substantial cuts by working with the Vice Presidents and Deans. The cuts total approximately $5.7 million from our original $190-million State-supported budget, which is a 1.65% reduction in our total budget of $345 million. To make these reductions and prepare for next year, we are continuing our staff hiring freeze and have cancelled a number of faculty searches. We are taking a very conservative approach to spending, including reducing operating costs for utilities, facilities renewal, equipment, and supplies. We are also implementing furloughs as part of the statewide plan. Additional tuition revenue from increased enrollment this year has been helpful in this process.

Our goal is to minimize reductions in staffing and the impact on students. However, all administrative divisions and colleges are making difficult choices as they make budget cuts, and in some cases positions will be eliminated. Based on our current budget situation, the number of positions eliminated will be substantially lower than in previous recessions.

Yesterday, Governor O’Malley released his FY 2010 State budget proposal, and it is clear he has worked hard to protect higher education. (The January 16, 2009 Chronicle of Higher Education article, “Colleges See Slowest Growth in State Aid in Five Years,” puts into perspective just how supportive the Governor has been.) The Governor’s budget includes $30 million of the $65 million in State General Funds previously cut from the University System of Maryland’s (USM) FY 2009 budget. For UMBC, the result is $2.6 million retained in our base budget. A $28-million increase in General Funds for the USM includes $16 million to support a tuition freeze for in-state, full-time undergraduate students (for the fourth consecutive year), and a variety of mandatory costs, such as health, utilities, and financial aid. The proposed budget does not include COLA and merit increases.

The Governor’s FY 2010 budget proposal must be approved by the legislature, and our advocacy for support for higher education will be crucial as legislators make very difficult budget decisions.

These budget reductions mean significant sacrifices for our community. We also know that the national and State economic challenges we face are long-term and will require us to continue to plan carefully as we prepare for the coming academic year. We are encouraged by the Federal Economic Stimulus Proposal, which addresses student access and affordability, construction, and infrastructure funds for higher education, and science and technology research funding.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work together as a campus community in these difficult times. We will keep you informed as more information becomes available.

Chancellor Kirwan’s budget update to the USM community follows.

A Message from Chancellor William E. Kirwan
to the University System of Maryland (USM) Community
January 21, 2009

This afternoon, Governor Martin O'Malley unveiled his FY 2010 budget proposal for the State of Maryland. Despite the extraordinarily difficult fiscal environment, the Governor's budget restores $30 million of general funds cut from the University System of Maryland's FY 2009 operating budget; it also includes an additional $27.3 million increase in general funds for FY 2010. The Governor once again has demonstrated his strong commitment to higher education, to our university system, and to high quality, affordable higher education for the students and families of Maryland.

Included in the increase is $16 million, which-if the proposed budget survives the legislative session-will enable USM to hold tuition flat for in-state, full-time undergraduate students for the fourth consecutive year. The Governor's budget also covers the mandatory increase in costs we face next year, including funds to operate new facilities, increases in employee benefits, and other inflationary costs.

Due to the ongoing fiscal crisis, the FY 2010 proposal for USM does not include funds for salary increases for employees, significant enrollment growth, or program enhancements. Nevertheless, the Governor's budget would avoid the need for further significant cuts and enable our institutions to remain focused on our top priorities: providing students affordable access to excellent higher education opportunities; performing leading-edge research; playing a major role in economic and workforce development; and advancing the quality of life in Maryland and the nation.

Gov. O'Malley also proposed $172 million in capital funding for USM, which includes the acceleration of several important academic facilities.

Thanks to the outstanding work of USM faculty and staff, our university system has earned a well-deserved reputation for academic and research excellence, and sound management and financial practices. Our institutions continue to earn top national rankings. Our ongoing Effectiveness and Efficiency Initiative has gained considerable national attention and resulted in more than $100 million in cost savings. And, we are making impressive strides on our three major USM initiatives: closing the student achievement gap; advancing the state's STEM and research competitiveness; and addressing the issues of climate change.

The last several months have been stressful and challenging for everyone. During the current fiscal year, we have sustained general fund reductions totaling $51 million, which were handled primarily through a hiring freeze and furloughs. But through it all, thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our faculty and staff, our institutions continue to move forward. While today's economic climate may slow the rate of our progress, I am so proud of the way our faculty and staff work relentlessly to build the quality of our institutions with an unwavering dedication to the students and the state we serve.

While we face the distinct possibility of further budget cuts if economic conditions in the nation and state continue to decline, our immediate focus must be on protecting the Governor's proposed budget as it is considered by the Maryland General Assembly. Reductions to this budget would be harmful to our students, our institutions, and our state. I look forward to working with our regents; presidents; system-wide faculty, staff and student councils; and other members and friends of the USM community to support full funding of the Governor's proposed FY 2010 budget.

As always, I appreciate everything that USM faculty, staff, and students do to advance our university system, all the more so during these very difficult economic times.

Patricia A. Young Publishes Instructional Design Frameworks and Intercultural Models
The global technological marketplace has brought with it the need to address international and local target audiences. To remain competitive, companies have begun to design ICTs with a focus on generic and specialized users and learners.

In her book, Instructional Design Frameworks and Intercultural Models, Assistant Professor of Education Patricia A. Young meets the needs of practitioners and researchers by providing frameworks for integrating culture into design. This book offers practical applications for the
construction of user interfaces, products, services and other online environments useful in the development of culture-based designs. For more information or to order this publication, visit http://www.igi-global.com/reference/details.asp?ID=9671.

Steve Bradley, Visual Arts, Baltimore City Paper
The Baltimore City Paper included in its “Critic’s Pick” section a “small processes concert” that was to be performed Thursday, January 22, by Steve Bradley, associate professor in the visual arts department, at the Hexagon in downtown Baltimore.

http://www.citypaper.com/calendar/event.asp?whatID=118398

Michael Fallon, English, on Maryland Public Television
Michael Fallon, a senior lecturer of creative writing in the English department, was a guest on the Maryland Public Television program “Direct Connection with Jeff Salkin.” He joined a roundtable discussion Monday, January 19, regarding the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allen Poe.

http://mpt.org/publicsquare/dc/archive/2009/090119_poe.cfm

President Hrabowski in the News
President Hrabowski wrote an opinion piece for the Baltimore Sun reflecting on the significance of President Obama’s inauguration. The piece, “The Power of Education to Transform Lives,” appeared in a special section Sunday, January 18.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-in.hrabowski18jan18,0,4094608.story

President Hrabowski was among the local leaders who shared with the Catonsville Times what he would like to see from President Obama. “From the perspective of UMBC, we are especially excited about investments in higher education. It’s fairly apparent that this new administration understands the important role that colleges and universities can play in building the economy,” he said. The article, “Looking to Obama for Help and Hope,” appeared Wednesday, January 21.

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/6794/looking-obama-help-hope/

The Greenville (S.C.) News reported that President Hrabowski spoke at Clemson University’s annual “MLK March and Memorial Service.” The report noted that students should believe in their ability to reach goals and education can make a critical difference in their lives. The story, “Inauguration Day March Memorializes King’s Dream” appeared Wednesday, January 21.

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090121/NEWS01/901210358/1001

Doug Manzelmann ’09 in the Baltimore Sun
Doug Manzelmann ’09 wrote an opinion essay for the Baltimore Sun about the start of the Obama administration. “I am hopeful that Mr. Obama will continue to embrace the Internet to facilitate communication among the public, academia and the government,” he wrote. His commentary, “Young People Will be White House Watchdogs,” appeared Tuesday, January 20.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.obamadoug20jan20,0,1051190.story

RLTV Network in the Wall Street Journal
The Retirement Living TV Network (RLTV), established by Erickson School founder John Erickson, has signed a deal with Comcast Corp., the nation’s largest cable operator when measured by subscribers, to bring RLTV into more than 12 million homes. The story, “Retirement Living TV Gets Boost,” was reported by Wall Street Journal.com on Friday, January 16.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123206842595288271.html

UMBC in the Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education, in a profile of the chief financial officer at Wright State University, recognized UMBC’s strengths as a research institution. “Wright State is also a young institution. Like other upstarts with solid research bases, like the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, the university has a history of being nimble,” the Chronicle reported. The story, “A Number Cruncher Goes Out of His Way to Put Students First,” appeared in the Friday, January 23.

http://chronicle.com/temp/email2.php?id=rzgqqh4VbfsQ9hxmkdYmrNjrZfyCgQYX

Luanna Azulay ’10 in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun reported that Luanna Azulay ’10 is one of approximately 80 area college students who flew to Israel on Sunday, January 11, with a program that offers Jewish young people free trips to the country. Azulay was pictured. The story, “Despite Gaza Violence, Maryland Students Take Birthright Trip to Israel,” appeared Wednesday, January 14.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-te.to.israel14jan14,0,974083.story

Don Norris, Public Policy, in The Associated Press
The Associated Press interviewed Don Norris, professor of public policy and director of MIPAR, about the political impact of Baltimore Mayor Sheila’s Dixon indictment on theft and perjury charges. “It would seem that unless the prosecutor’s case becomes much stronger than it currently appears to be, this is not likely to have much impact on her ability to govern,” Norris said. The story, “Indictment Could Hamper Baltimore Mayor’s Ability to Govern, but Many Stand Behind Her,” ran Sunday, January 11.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-baltimore-mayor-probe,0,4656968.story

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
In his latest column for the Baltimore Sun, Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller assessed how the federal government is attempting to reinvigorate the economy. “So there is a precedent for the country going deep into debt and growing our way out. The real question is what we do with a 13-figure chunk of borrowed money,” Schaller wrote. The column, “Let Stimulus Spark Long-Term Growth Through Innovation,” appeared Tuesday, January 13.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller13jan13,0,2934472.column

UMBC Erickson School in the Washington Post
Bruce R. Grindrod was named chief executive officer of Erickson Retirement Communities. The Washington Post reported that Grindrod, while president of Erickson Developing Enterprises, “led new business opportunities that included the Erickson School at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.” The news item appeared in the “In Brief” section Thursday, January 8.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/07/AR2009010702165.html

UMBC in the News
The Princeton Review included UMBC in its “Best Value Colleges for 2009” list. MSNBC.com and WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported on UMBC’s selection Friday, January 9.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28565463/

UMBC Training Centers in the News
UMBC Training Centers announced that a new program, “Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST),” was added to its IT training curriculum. The course will provide individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to take and pass the two exams required to achieve Microsoft's MCDST Certification. MSNBC.com and the Marketwatch.com announced the initiative Wednesday, January 14.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/new-microsoft-training-program-helps/story.aspx?guid={89CA0F68-5585-436F-87DE-A35F5B8B1496}&dist=msr_8

Darryl Proctor named America East Co-Player of the Week
Senior basketball forward Darryl Proctor ‘09 has been named America East Conference Co-Player of the Week for games ending Sunday, January 11. Proctor shares the award with Boston University sophomore wing John Holland.

On Thursday, February 5, UMBC joins colleges and universities around the U.S. for the 2009 National Teach-in on Global Warming. In 2007, Freeman Hrabowski signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. Since then UMBC has constituted a Climate Change Task Force (CCTF) with the goal of developing a sustainability and carbon neutrality plan.

During the Teach-In, the CCTF will engage the UMBC community by sponsoring a fair of local green businesses and climate action groups, sustainability performing art and film events, campus-wide open classes on global warming across disciplines and a panel discussion on climate.

On Wednesday, February 4, and Thursday, February 5 we hope to have as many faculty as wish to open their classes to non-enrolled but interested students, faculty and staff. Several faculty from the Departments of Geography and Environmental Systems, Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology, Economics and Education have already expressed interest. We plan to make a list of all participating faculty to let students know what is being offered. We think it could be all or part of class and that many disciplines could identify relevant discussion topics. Examples: How is the European press handling the subjects? How are artists responding to the crisis? What insights does environmental psychology have? What preparations are EMH professionals making for climate emergencies?

Professors Jeff Halverson and Mary Rivkin are collecting all information. Faculty should email them with their:

• Name
• Class title/ location time
• Topic of Class
• Any special topic or guest lecturer for the day

Courses should address some aspect of climate change, global warming or sustainability directly or indirectly. This broadly includes scientific, technological, political and human dimensions of these issues. Submit information to Jeff at ext. 5-3350 or jeffhalv@umbc.edu or to Mary Rivkin at ext. 5-2259. The deadline for your reply is Friday, January 23.

More can be learned about the national Teach-In project at http://www.nationalteachin.org/about.php

The Presidential Inauguration 2009 will be covered all-day Tuesday, January 20, at The Commons, as most TVs will be airing coverage. The Sports Zone will be the gathering place, and the largest TV will be on display. There will be FREE food sponsored by SEB. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, visit The Commons information desk.

As a member of Construction Owners Association of America (COAA), UMBC employees and their relatives are invited to compete for one of two $1,500 scholarships and to be recognized as one of the rising stars in the design and construction industry.

To Apply:

• Applicant must be either an employee or a relative of an employee of a COAA member.
• Applicant must be a full-time undergraduate student who has successfully completed the freshman year in a technical field of study such as architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction management or a similar field.
• Applicant should have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (a current copy of the student transcript may be requested).

Eligible students must submit an application, two letters of recommendation - one of which must be from a current COAA – member – and an essay on one of the two following topics:

• What attracted you to construction, and what are your career plans in the industry?
• What do you find to be the most critical issue facing the construction industry and why?

For complete details visit COAA's Albert E. Phillips Scholarship page. If you have further questions, contact Lucie Castro at 1-800-994-2622. The deadline is Saturday, January 31.

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the News
In his latest column for the Baltimore Sun, Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller offered “43 remembrances of the departing administration” of President George Bush. The column, “43 Reasons We Won’t Miss President Bush,” ran Wednesday, December 30.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller30dec30,0,7657650.story

The few remaining moderate Republicans in Congress have an opportunity to wield outsized influence on what President-elect Barack Obama can accomplish with legislators. “The power of moderates is declining in the country: They are fewer in number, and the country has polarized. But in any vote where you are down to one or two votes, there are always going to be people in the middle who have decisive power,” Schaller told the Tribune Newspapers Washington bureau. The story, “In Increasingly Polarized Senate, Moderate Republicans are Key,” appeared Friday, January 2.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.moderates02jan02,0,5947867.story

Michael Summers, Chemistry and Biochemistry, in the Catonsville and Arbutus Times
Michael Summers, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator at UMBC, was profiled in the Wednesday, January 7, issues of the Catonsville Times and the Arbutus Times. UMBC’s neighborhood newspapers focused on a recent licensing agreement between UMBC and the Swedish biotech company Vironova for possible anti-HIV drug technology developed in Summers' Lab.

While the drug development process is very lengthy and uncertain, Summers and Vironova are excited at the possibilities for a new weapon in the fight against AIDS and HIV. "This could turn into a very productive partnership," Summers said. "The information that we have now suggests that these compounds, if we're smart in how we proceed, could really lead to something useful." The Times also featured a brief personal profile on Summers, detailing what drew him to UMBC and what makes him passionate about teaching and research.

“Professor's research may hold key to HIV fight” can be read online at http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/education/6347/professors-research-may-hold-key-hiv-fight/

“UMBC campus had right elements for chemist” can be read online at http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/education/6349/umbc-campus-had-right-elements-chemist/

UMBC Chess Team in the News
The UMBC chess team earned a share of the title at the Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship, finishing in a tie with the University of Texas-Dallas (UTD). The Baltimore Sun, The Associated Press, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News and Catonsville Times filed reports during the week Tuesday, December 30, to Wednesday, December 31.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.briefs311dec31,0,7841463.story

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/community/6359/news-brief/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/04/AR2009010401409.html

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/123108dnmetchess.38c6d62.html

http://www.examiner.com/a-1768923~UMBC_chess_team_ties_for_first_in_Pan_Am_tourney.html

UMBC in the Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education profiled UMBC’s extensive use of the Blackboard course-management system, noting that UMBC “is perhaps the first (campus) nationally to publish campus-wide usage statistics.” Assistant Vice President for Information Technology John Fritz, Associate Professor of Information Systems Gerald Canfield, Instructor of Social Work Katherine Morris and Lecturer of Physics Lili Cui were cited or quoted. The story, “College 2.0: A Wired Way to Rate Professors—And to Connect Teachers,” ran Thursday, January 8.

http://chronicle.com/free/2009/01/9311n.htm (Subscription access possibly required)

UMBC Mechanical Engineering in the Urbanite
Baltimore-based Pique Performance Inc. has developed an insole-like device that redistributes pressure to the middle of the foot and the heel, relieving the stress on the ball of the foot that comes from wearing typical high-heeled shoes. Inventor Angela Singleton is creating the device with the help of mechanical engineers at UMBC, the Urbanite reported in its January 2009 issue. The item appeared in the “Breakthroughs” section.

http://www.urbanitebaltimore.com/sub.cfm?ArticleID=1124&IssueID=68&SectionID=4

UMBC in USA TODAY
The Princeton Review named UMBC to its “Best Value Colleges for 2009” list. In its Thursday, January 8, edition, USA TODAY released the 100 institutions selected by The Princeton Review.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/best-value-colleges.htm

Seth Vacek ’08 in the Baltimore Examiner
The Baltimore Examiner reported that Seth Vacek ’08 has become the youngest accepted applicant in the history of the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis. Vacek, who has cerebral palsy, graduated Thursday, December 18. The story, “Vacek Going to Boston Grad School,” appeared Tuesday, December 30.

http://www.baltimoreexaminer.com/local/123008newsmaker2.html

Louise Schlegel ‘09 Featured on TLC’s “Countdown to the Crown”
Winner of the Miss Maryland 2008 title, Louise Schlegel ’09, theatre, will be featured on TLC’s “Countdown to the Crown,” a four-part reality series that began Friday, January 2. In this program, all 52 state title holders live together and face a series of competitions to win gold sashes, which could possibly advance them into the top 15 at the Miss America pageant. The pageant airs live from Las Vegas on Saturday, January 24, at 8 p.m. on TLC.

Shriver Peaceworker Fellows to Walk in Inaugural Parade
The National Peace Corps Association will have a group of 200 returned Peace Corps volunteers marching in the Inaugural Parade. Among those 200 will be Shriver Peaceworker Fellows Amy Panoni ’11, a master’s student studying public policy, and Phil Stafford ’11, a master’s student studying geography and environmental systems. Panoni served in Peace Corps Costa Rica, and Stafford served in Peace Corps Belize.

Works by Eric Dyer, Visual Arts, Gain Recognition
Works by Eric Dyer, assistant professor in the Department of Visual Arts, have gained recent international recognition. His film "Copenhagen Cycles" was shown at the 11th International Cairo Biennale (Cairo, Egypt) in December 2008 and will be shown at the 6th Biennial Tehran International Animation Festival (Tehran, Iran) in March 2009. From January 2009 through January 2010, his work "Bellows," an installation using painted 3-D prints and live video, will be on display at the Neue Bilder vom Menschen (New Images from Humans) exhibition at ARS ELECTRONICA in Linz, Austria. For more information, visit his website at http://userpages.umbc.edu/~dyer/Eric_Dyer/Home.html.

Swedish Biotech Firm Licenses HIV-drug Technology from UMBC
The Swedish biotech firm Vironova has reached an agreement with UMBC to license patented technology developed in the laboratory of Michael Summers, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator at UMBC, which could lead to new anti-HIV drugs. Summers, one of only two HHMI Investigators at Maryland public universities, is a world authority in HIV research. To read more about his research, visit http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/umbcnews/2008/12/post_1.html.