When American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, this UMBC graduate--a naval intelligence analyst--was killed. UMBC has established a scholarship fund in Angela Houtz's memory, and at the 2002 Alumni Awards Reception, the Alumni Association paid tribute to her and her achievements. English professor Jim McKusick fondly recalled his former student and offered condolences to her parents, Julie and Joe Shontere, who were present. "During her time at UMBC, Angie's energy, enthusiasm, and dedication were a joy to everyone who knew her. Angie was an excellent student, eager to learn about English literature, and a keen conversationalist on many topics," says McKusick. "Before she graduated from UMBC, we talked about her intended career with the Defense Department; Angie was thrilled to know that her talents could be put to such practical use in the service of her country."

Stacey-Ann Baugh '96 last spoke with her friend, Angela Houtz, on Sept. 10. "She was in a wonderful mood," Baugh says. Houtz had just celebrated her 27th birthday by visiting Ocean City with her family and was enthusiastic about her work with the Pentagon, where she was a senior analyst for Naval Intelligence.

The friends planned to get together soon so Baugh could give Houtz her birthday gift. That, however, would never happen. The next day, Sept. 11, Angela was working when the Pentagon was attacked by terrorists. She would not survive.

"Her life was short, but good," says Baugh.

Houtz, who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English in 1996, was a member of the first class of UMBC Humanities Scholars. She and Baugh met their first year. "We were so different," says Baugh, a Jamaica native. "Different ethnicities, different countries, different religious and political views. But we embraced our differences."

"She was a beautiful and spiritual person," says Baugh. "She loved people." Dedicated to helping others, Houtz organized a program that fed the homeless, tutored an inner city student, volunteered for the Choice program at UMBC, worked with the YWCA in Baltimore and sponsored a child through Compassion International.

Baugh says her only regret is that she will never get to tell her friend that she is now pregnant, adding, "My child will have lost so much by not knowing her."

But Houtz will not be forgotten. Whether it is by being honored by her alma mater or by being frequently and lovingly recalled to a child who would have been her godchild.