UMBC50

Throughout the Ages: Past, present, and future converge at annual Hilltop Society Dinner

UMBC has accumulated a rich history in its first 50 years, rising from a patch of Baltimore County farmland through the social and political turbulence of the mid-20th century to become a university nationally recognized for the quality of its education and its commitment to diversity. This year’s annual Hilltop Society dinner, in addition to being a “thank you” to our donors, carried on that story, as guests dined amid the “UMBC at 50: Sharing the Past, Building the Future” exhibit at the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery. The exhibit was curated by Tom Beck and Lindsey Loeper ’04, American… Continue Reading Throughout the Ages: Past, present, and future converge at annual Hilltop Society Dinner

A Lens on UMBC History

Richard Chisolm ’82, interdisciplinary studies, has a unique vantage point on UMBC’s history. He lived on the edge of campus as the university grew. In this essay, the award-winning documentary filmmaker and recipient of UMBC’s Alumnus of the Year award in 2001 explains how his career path was influenced by proximity to the university. “How did you get into filmmaking?” For over three decades, I’ve been working as an independent cinematographer and documentary filmmaker, travelling the world, interacting with remarkable humans on both sides of the camera, and being a messenger of information, education, and entertainment. It is an unpredictable,… Continue Reading A Lens on UMBC History

Back Story – Fall 2016

UMBC’s 50th anniversary coincided with the release of Our UMBC: A Strategic Plan for Advancing Excellence. It is a road map for UMBC’s future in key areas including academic research and scholarship, student experience, innovative curriculum, and how the university connects with the world outside it. UMBC Magazine talked about Our UMBC with Provost Philip Rous, who led the effort, and with two alumni – former alumni board President Bennett Moe ’88, visual and performing arts, and UMBC’s coordinator for student organizations Romy Hübler ’15, Ph.D., language, literacy, and culture – involved in creating the plan. What principles in drafting… Continue Reading Back Story – Fall 2016

House (of Grit) Party

UMBC celebrates its 50 years in style Saturday, September 17, 2016 was a day to remember for any Retriever who made it to campus to join in the  biggest celebration of black and gold pride ever. Over 3,300 alumni, students, faculty and staff from across the campus community came together to attend the event – which included a puppy parade, storytelling, hands-on demonstrations and lectures across disciplines, athletics events, and a dazzling display of fireworks to cap it off. We wanted to share that day – including some of the best stories from faculty and alumni – with our readers.… Continue Reading House (of Grit) Party

Alumni Awards – October 6, 2016

The 2016 Alumni Awards recipients were honored at the Linehan Concert Hall, UMBC. Learn more about our past award winners

Grit & Greekness

Sorority and fraternity memories shone out at the Grit & Greekness Event held at the Columbus Center on October 15, 2016.

Visual Arts Golden Ball

Creative costumes were all the rage at the Golden Ball hosted by the Visual Arts program and its alumni on October 15, 2016.

Accomplishment & Aspirations

The UMBC campus unites on Founders Day to take stock of the past and look boldly into the future. September 19, 2016 was the official anniversary of UMBC’s founding in 1966, and the university held a ceremony including students, faculty, staff, and alumni that celebrated a number of qualities that had helped it grow over five decades into a major public research university: talented students, shared governance of the campus, and visionary leadership. Among the highlights of the ceremony included an address to the campus by UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, and a letter from UMBC’s first graduate, Robin… Continue Reading Accomplishment & Aspirations

The Power of 50

Tracing the Impact of UMBC – and its Alumni – After Five Decades In his Founders Day address, UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, made the case for UMBC’s vitality and influence as a public research institution. But how do you quantify the university’s success and impact over its existence?The university asked Sage Policy Group, a prominent economic analysis firm, to assess UMBC’s impact as a university and as an engine of fiscal growth in Maryland.The group’s report – UMBC at 50: Momentum and Impact – makes a clear and compelling case for the university’s dynamic intellectual, social, and economic… Continue Reading The Power of 50

Fab (Four) Storytellers

A collection of vivid vignettes from UMBC’s founding. The Stoop Storytelling Series – created by Laura Wexler and Jessica Henkin – has become a fixture in Baltimore arts community, encouraging “ordinary” people to tell the extraordinary stories of their lives. So it was a natural for the Stoop Stories team to organize “Retrieve Your Memories: Stoop Stories with the ab Four and Friends” to tell stories of UMBC’s first students and faculty, with a special guest appearance by UMBC President Freeman A, Hrabowski, III. Each speaker stepped into the spotlight for a few moments and brought the early days of… Continue Reading Fab (Four) Storytellers

Deep Roots

A gathering to honor UMBC founders provides insights in university history. The Roots of Greatness Luncheon, held September 17, celebrated the founding generation of students, faculty, and staff. Among the highlights of the program was a portrait of founding chancellor Albin O. Kuhn, delivered by Wendy Salkind, professor emeritus of theatre, and a discussion of a new history of the university – Improbable Excellence: The Saga of UMBC – written by George La Noue, professor emeritus of public policy and political science. The discussion was moderated by John Jeffries, dean emeritus of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences,… Continue Reading Deep Roots

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