Tim Brennan, Public Policy and Economics, in the Washington Examiner
A Washington Examiner opinion essay focused on electricity pricing in Maryland and the potentially conflicting challenge of encouraging lower energy use. “The governor is sending incredibly mixed signals,” Tim Brennen, professor of public policy and economics, told the paper. The column, “Reregulating Energy in Maryland No Solution to High Bills,” ran Tuesday, March 24.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/marta-mossburg/Reregulating-energy-in-Maryland-no-solution-to-high-bills-41741222.html

Ellen Hemmerly, bwtech@UMBC, in the Catonsville Times
The Catonsville Times previewed a free business development seminar, held March 25 and hosted by the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce. The paper noted that Ellen Hemmerly, executive director of the UMBC Research Park Corporation, was one of the speakers. The story, “Future Business Owners Could Profit From Free Seminar,” ran Wednesday, March 18.

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/business/8460/future-business-owners-could-profit-free-seminar/

Ed Orser, American Studies, in the News
Ed Orser, professor of American studies, was a guest on “Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast,” the news and information program that airs on WYPR-88.1 FM. Orser discussed his book, Blockbusting in Baltimore, and controversial real estate practices of the 1950s and ’60s. The interview aired Tuesday, March 24.

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

The Baltimore City Paper reported Orser was scheduled to speak March 27 at the Maryland Institute College of Art regarding his research on Baltimore’s history of public housing discrimination. The news item appeared March 18 in the “Quick Sketches” section.

http://www.citypaper.com/arts/story.asp?id=17719

Hadieh Shafie ’04 in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun reported that Hadieh Shafie, visual arts ’04, is one of three recipients of the inaugural Baker Artist Award, an innovative, online honor from the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund. The Baker Artist Awards are designed to promote Baltimore-area artists on the Web and encourage other artists to relocate to the city to grow the arts community. The story, “First Baker Artists Awards Names Winners,” appeared Thursday, March 26.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-li.baker26mar26,0,7721886.story

http://www.umbc.edu/research/photolink_Hadieh_Shafie.html

UMBC in TIME.com
Time.com, the online news service of TIME magazine, reported that 30 UMBC students chose to live on campus during the recent spring break and work at local nonprofits. A year ago, the piece noted, UMBC students traveled to Kentucky to help rebuild an elderly woman’s home after it burned down. The story, “Spring Break, Recession Style: Staying Close to Home,” appeared Friday, March 20.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1886648,00.html

Hadieh Shafie ’04 Wins Baker Artist Award
Hadieh Shafie, visual arts ’04, is one of three recipients of the inaugural Baker Artist Award, an innovative, online honor from the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund. The Baker Artist Awards are designed to promote Baltimore-area artists on the Web and encourage other artists to relocate to the city to grow the arts community.

http://www.umbc.edu/research/photolink_Hadieh_Shafie.html

Brian Maguire Receives Fulbright Scholarship
Associate Professor Brian J. Maguire is a 2009 Fulbright Scholarship award recipient. Maguire will spend four months in Australia studying occupational risks among ambulance personnel, and he will also teach at three Australian universities: Edith Cowan, Charles Sturt and Flinders. His previous research projects were the first to document the occupational injury and fatality rates among emergency medical services personnel in the U.S.

Since 1999, Maguire has been a faculty member in the Department of Emergency Health Services, where he is a clinical associate professor, associate director of the emergency health services graduate program and director of the Center for Emergency Education and Disaster Research (CEEDR). He has been a consultant to the Department of Homeland Security and numerous health departments in the areas of bio-terrorism and disaster preparedness, an international consultant for systems development as well as a committee member for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Ambulance Association in the areas of ambulance and workforce safety. He is a former New York City paramedic, emergency services manager and healthcare administrator. His doctoral degree is from The George Washington University, School of Public Health.

Faculty, Alumni and Students to Participate in Transmodern Festival
Several faculty, alumni and students are scheduled to participate in the 2009 Transmodern Festival April 2-5 in Baltimore. The event promises “four days of avant performance, installation, sound, film, mayhem, ecstasy and radical culture.”

Among those performing are Assistant Professor of Visual Arts Kathryn Bell and Adjunct Professor of Visual Arts Jenny Graf, Kristen Elaine Anchor '02, Shannon Young ’08 and MFA Candidates Kathryn Williamson, Jill Fannon and Marian April Glebes.

Join the UMBC community Wednesday, April 1, noon-1 p.m., in the University Center Ballroom to celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding faculty and staff. A light lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.

To see a complete list of winners, visit http://www.umbc.edu/newsevents/Awards2009/.

Shortly before 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, March 25, Baltimore County and UMBC Police were called to the scene of an apparent suicide approximately 100 yards from the Technology Research Center (TRC) building, near Westland Blvd. in Arbutus. It was quickly determined that the situation posed no threat to the campus, and we have learned that the deceased has no known affiliation with UMBC.

People inside of the TRC building were asked to remain indoors both to preserve the integrity of the scene and to lessen any emotional distress on people in that area.

Had there been an actual threat to the campus community, the campus would have received specific safety instructions via E2Campus, an emergency alert text-messaging system. The system enables us to notify you regarding any campus-related emergency (for example, potential campus safety hazards or campus closures due to weather).

Today’s incident is an important reminder that everyone should sign up for E2Campus. 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.

Members of our University Counseling Services (410-455-2472) are available to anyone on campus who may be in need of support. The Web site is www.umbc.edu/counseling.

Dale Bittinger, Admissions, in the Catonsville Times
UMBC experienced a three-percent increase in applications for fall 2009 compared to fall 2008. The institution remains on pace to accept the same number of applicants as last year, Dale Bittinger, director of undergraduate admissions, told the Catonsville Times. The newspaper reported on how the economy is impacting the decisions of high school students considering college. The story, “Next Step for Class of 2009?” appeared Wednesday, March 18.

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/education/8454/next-stop/

Tim Brennan, Public Policy and Economics, in Washington Post
Washington Post Columnist John Kelly is looking for the highest mileage on a car in Washington. He made reference to friend Tim Brennan, professor of public policy and economics, whose 1989 Honda Prelude reached 300,000 miles this year. "I figure Honda's just gonna get mad because I haven't bought any more cars from them," Brennan said. The article, "Making a Point (Allegedly) About Chopper Noise" appeared Wednesday, March 18.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/17/AR2009031703002.html

Anne Scholl-Fiedler, Career Services Center, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun reported on job-hunting strategies and other career outreach activities coordinated by Anne Scholl-Fiedler, director of the Career Services Center. “What we're doing is we're encouraging the students ... to get their brand together. They clearly have to know what their motivated strengths are, how to articulate them very clearly and know how to network,” Scholl-Fiedler said. The article, “Homework for College Graduates on the Job Hunt: Stay Motivated,” ran Friday, March 13.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-bz.onthejob13mar13,0,2079146.column

Yvette Mozie-Ross, Admissions, in the Baltimore Sun
Public universities should set goals, but not quotas, for minority enrollment, University System of Maryland Chancellor William Kirwan announced Friday, March 13. Yvette Mozie-Ross, assistant provost for enrollment management, told the Baltimore Sun UMBC does not consider race at all in admissions and has no plans to do so. She said UMBC has been able to attract students from all backgrounds by creating a diverse, supportive atmosphere. The story, “Kirwan: Universities Should Set Goals for Minority Enrollment,” ran March 14.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/college/bal-diversity0313,0,4273985.story

Christopher Murphy, Psychology, on National Public Radio
The National Public Radio program "Talk of the Nation" interviewed Christopher Murphy, professor of psychology, about conventional wisdom regarding domestic abusers. Murphy is director of the New Behaviors Program at the Domestic Violence Center in Howard County. The segment, “Is Conventional Wisdom About Abusers True?” aired Wednesday, March 18.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102056732

Robert Provine, Psychology, in The New York Times
The New York Times interviewed Robert Provine, professor of psychology, about his latest research on laughter. “Jokes work because they deal with the unexpected, starting in one direction and then veering off into another,” Provine said. “What makes a joke successful are the same properties that can make it difficult to remember.” The story, “In One Ear and Out the Other,” ran Tuesday, March 17.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/science/17angi.html?emc=eta1

James Clements ’85, ’93 Ph.D. in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun reported on the selection of James Clements ’85, ’93 Ph.D. as president of West Virginia University. The article, “Towson University Provost Named to Presidency of West Virginia University," ran Saturday, March 7.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/college/bal-md.clements07mar07,0,5052339.story?track=rss

Lynnda Dahlquist, Psychology, in Time magazine
Some children suffer from chronic, unexplainable pain. A talk-oriented psychotherapeutic approach called “acceptance and commitment therapy” has shown encouraging results, Time magazine reported. Professor of Psychology Lynnda Dahlquist told the magazine many parents reinforce avoidance behavior in kids with chronic pain. The story, “Talk Therapy for Kids’ Pain: Better than Pills?” appeared in the Tuesday, March 3 issue.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1882901,00.html

Kevin Eckert, Erickson School, in U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report interviewed Kevin Eckert, dean of the Erickson School, regarding Copper Ridge an assisted living facility in Sykesville, Maryland, for patients with Alzheimer’s. “Copper Ridge is nationally recognized for its extraordinary commitment to a multidisciplinary integration of biomedical, clinical, and social approaches to dementia care,” he said. The story, “Alzheimer’s Care: How Copper Ridge Nursing Home Gets it Right,” appeared in the Wednesday, March 11 edition.

http://tinyurl.com/autluq

President Hrabowski, Lisa Akchin, OIA, in the Catonsville Times
The Catonsville Times reported that 1,200 responses were received from members of the UMBC community within 48 hours to a survey created by UMBC, the Arbutus Business and Professional Association and the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce. The survey sought feedback on the kinds of businesses members of the UMBC community would like to see in both towns. President Hrabowski and Lisa Akchin, assistant to the president and associate vice president for marketing and public relations, were cited. The story, “Business Groups Survey UMBC Community,” ran Wednesday, March 4.

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/business/8034/business-groups-survey-umbc-community/

Dan Ritschel, Center for History Education, in the Delmarva Times
Although corned beef is considered a traditional food for St. Patrick’s Day, it has not historically been a common food in Ireland because most Irish people could not afford it. “Though associated with St. Paddy's Day, corned beef and cabbage are not particularly Irish," Daniel Ritschel, associate professor and director of the Center for History Education, told the Delmarva Times. “Few Irish peasants would have been able to afford any meat except on special occasions, which may explain its association with St. Patrick's Day.” The story, “Corned Beef not Everyday Irish Meal,” ran Wednesday, March 11.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090311/LIFESTYLE/903110427/1024

UMBC Research Park in the Catonsville Times
The Catonsville Times reported that Columbia BioSystems, a company that recently joined the bwtech@umbc technology business incubator program at UMBC, has won two separate state grants to continue its research on ways to detect the presence of two lethal bacteria often found in hospitals. The story, “Firm at UMBC Research Park Awarded Two Grants,” appeared Friday, February 27.

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/7975/firm-umbc-research-park-awarded-two-grants/

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the News
In his latest column for the Baltimore Sun, Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller called the opening weeks of President Obama’s presidency “unlike any in the United States since the oft-referenced arrival of Franklin D. Roosevelt.” The column, “For Obama, a Frenetic First 50 Days,” appeared Tuesday, March 10.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller10mar10,0,3327689.column

James P. Clements ’85, ’93 Ph.D. Named President of West Virginia University
Former provost of Towson University, James P. Clements ’85, ’93 Ph.D. was recently named president of West Virginia University. Clements earned a bachelor's degree in computer science and a master's and a doctorate in operations analysis, all from UMBC.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/college/bal-md.clements07mar07,0,5052339.story?track=rss

Join us for the departure of the men's basketball team from Administration Drive at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, headed to Binghamton for the 2009 America East title game.

The farewell officially begins at 1 p.m. with "The Randy Monroe UMBC Basketball Show", which takes place at the Sports Zone in The UMBC Commons. The show will air that evening on Fox 1370 Sports Radio (6-7 p.m.) with host Paul Mittermeier.

The Retrievers will board the bus and head north for their second consecutive title game appearance. Join the UMBC spirit support groups in wishing the team well in its quest to "Do It Again!"

Please join us for both events on March 12!

Go Dawgs!

On March 14, the men's basketball team will compete in the America East Championships at Binghamton.

Student tickets will go on sale at The Commons Information Desk at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 9. The ticket price is $10. The title game will take place at the BU Events Center on the campus of Binghamton University at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14. A valid UMBC ID must be presented to purchase these tickets.

Additional ticket and transportation information will be available within the next 24 hours. Please watch the homepage and myUMBC for updates.

Read more about the team's latest win here: www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/basketball/womens/bal-sp.umbc09mar09,0,900626.story

Applying machine learning to a robotics problem typically requires substantial human oversight to design the learning system, tune the parameters, define the task, determine the input and output representations and create the training data set. In contrast, biological organisms are able to learn autonomously from unlabeled data in an open-ended fashion. Developmental robotics is an emerging field that strives to build better robots by applying insights from biological developmental processes. In this talk, Lisa Meeden of Swarthmore College will review several recent approaches from developmental robotics that use prediction to generate teaching signals. This results in a task-independent kind of learning in which the robot focuses on novel stimuli.

The talk, part of the CSEE Colloquium, will be Tuesday, March 10, noon-1 p.m., in the Information Technology and Engineering building, Room 325B. Lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m. for those who would like to meet Meeden before the talk. The host is Associate Professor of Computer Science and Electrical EngineeringMarie DesJardins. For more information, e-mail mariedj@cs.umbc.edu.

Helen Burgess, English, in Nature
The research journal Nature reviewed a DVD-ROM co-authored by Helen Burgess, an assistant professor in the English department. The DVD-ROM, Biofutures, examines the issue of owning human tissue and genetic material for research and potential profit. “The authors use their broad backgrounds in science policy, history and English literature to locate the questions of body ownership within the wider fields of social science and bioethics,” the review said. The piece, “The Body as a Commodity,” appeared in the Thursday, March 5 issue.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v458/n7234/full/458033b.html

http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/umbcnews/2009/03/dvdrom_coauthored_by_helen_bur.html

Christopher Corbett, English, in Baltimore Style
In his regular column for Baltimore Style, Christopher Corbett, professor of the practice in English, identified a new measure of the recession’s severity: a purported once-in-a-lifetime investment promoted by the man who cleans his gutters. The column, “The Financial Opportunity of a Lifetime,” ran in the March/April issue.

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

Phil Davis ’07 and Vin Grabill, Visual Arts, in the Baltimore City Paper
The Baltimore City Paper reviewed the Dead Air exhibit at the Metro Gallery in Baltimore that features the work of Phil Davis ’07 and Vin Grabill, associate professor and interim chair of the visual arts department. The exhibit is a collection of video pieces that address the imminent demise of analog broadcast television. The piece, “Lost Signals,” ran Thursday March 4.

http://www.citypaper.com/arts/story.asp?id=17651

Tim Finin, Computer Science, in the Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun reported that the National Security Agency is joining a new, highly classified social network that links its analysts for the first time with thousands of colleagues at other U.S. intelligence agencies. “There are still barriers, legal barriers and a natural disinclination to share information,” Finin told the paper. The Sun cited Finin’s research on software that encourages information-sharing while maintaining high levels of privacy and security. The story, “NSA Joining Social Network for Intelligence Analysts,” ran Thursday, March 4.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/technology/bal-te.md.spybook04mar04,0,2709017.story?page=2

Seth Sawyers ’99, English, in the Baltimore Sun
Seth Sawyers ’99, an adjunct instructor in the English department, wrote an opinion essay for the Baltimore Sun that voices his affection for Baltimore’s quirks, regardless of public perceptions. The column, “Viewpoint: Baltimore Doesn’t Need Me to Defend It,” ran Thursday, March 5.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.viewpoint05mar05,0,827043.story

Tom Schaller, Political Science, on the Fox Business Channel
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller was interviewed on the Fox Business Channel to discuss his Baltimore Sun column about the potential damage that the mortgage interest deduction has brought on the ailing U.S. economy.

http://tinyurl.com/dd4glv

Chris Swan, Geography and Environmental Systems, Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun blog “Bay & Environment” cited research conducted by Chris Swan, assistant professor in the department of geography and environmental systems, on the environmental impact of rock salt used to treat icy roads. “Swan found even modest amounts of salt are bad for zooplankton, the microscopic animals swimming on water that feed on algae, and upon which some fish feed.” The blog post, “Icy Dilemma: Road Salt Taints Streams, Reservoirs,” appeared Wednesday, March 3.

http://tinyurl.com/umbcroadsalt

Associate Professor Cathy Cook, Visual Arts, Winner at 2009 Wisconsin Film Festival
Associate Professor Cathy Cook's feature-length film "Immortal Cupboard: In Search of Lorine Niedecker" was one of four winners of this year's Wisconsin Own Jury Prize at the 2009 Wisconsin Film Festival. A $500 award accompanies the distinction. The Festival runs Thursday, April 2, to Sunday, April 5, in Madison, Wisconsin. Several undergraduate and graduate students from the Department of Visual Arts assisted Cathy in various ways as she created the film, as did faculty from the Department of Visual Arts and Music.