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Alumni Stories

Ian M. Ralby, UMBC's 2002 Valedictorian, will enter the M.Phil. program in International Relations at Cambridge University with funding provided by the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, considered one of the world's most selective academic awards. Full Story

After more than 30 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bob Garrity '73 has pretty much seen it all. He has traveled the country as an agent, worked on high-profile cases, and helped to steer the organization into the highly-technical 21st century. It's no wonder he's still excited about the job after all these years. Full Story

Every year, swarms of talented people move to Los Angeles for a chance at stardom. A meager few actually do it. Many more fail, finding the road too difficult. Then there's former UMBC tennis standout Josef Novotny '04. Using his skills on the courts to network and secure odd jobs on the sets of movies like Eli Roth's "Hostel: Part II," he has begun the long climb to fulfilling his dream of becoming a filmmaker. Full Story

Eric Conn '85 doesn't exactly have a traditional career. Then again, he was never a traditional student. In fact, it's Conn's adventurous edge that has allowed the computer science alum to prosper as an inventor and entrepreneur. Full Story

At just 26 years old, Rithy Chhay '02 is already on the fast track to success as a senior software engineer with Red Arch Solutions, a software and systems engineering firm in Columbia, MD. Full Story

When it comes to spotting trends, Jamie Smith Hopkins '98 is - appropriately - usually one step ahead of her competitors. At 28 years old, Hopkins' instinctive nose for news and willingness to complete months-long data studies have already propelled her to the top of her craft as a business reporter for the Baltimore Sun. Full Story

Just a few months after graduating from UMBC, Justine Wagner '04, Spanish and economics, traveled to Costa Rica on a Fulbright Research Award. Full Story

What's it like being a pioneer? Ask Dr. Adam Freeman '95, chemistry, an innovator in the chemistry of paper and one of the first generations of UMBC's Meyerhoff Scholars. Full Story

As the world reeled amid the latest terrorist attacks in London in July 2005, Vikki Valentine '96 pushed her fears aside to do what she does best - tell it as she sees it. Full Story

In the spring, Linnyette Richardson-Hall's '84 phone never stops ringing. The brides—22 of them this season, to be exact—call her about the important details of their weddings at all hours of the day. Full Story

For more alumni stories, visit our alumni community at retrievernet.umbc.edu.