In an interview with Boloji.com, one of India’s most popular e-magazines, UMBC’s Robert Deluty revealed the origins of his transformation into a poet and shared a few select pieces spanning more than 20 years.

According to Dr. Deluty, associate dean of the graduate school, he did not discover his talent for writing poetry until he was in his late 30’s when he adapted a “long-winded, self-righteous, and boring” essay into his first published poem expressing his views on entitlement. It was published in The Baltimore Evening Sun newspaper.

Surprisingly, however, it was his 30-plus years as a psychology professor and practicing clinician that drew him to pursue poetry. “When I provide therapy as a psychologist and when I write poetry, my goals are typically the same: to connect with my audience, to relieve burdens, and to promote greater awareness and insight,” said Deluty.

Deluty’s poems and essays have been published in newspapers, journals, and anthologies such as The Wall Street Journal, Modern Haiku, Psychiatric Times and the Journal of Poetry Therapy. His 42^nd book, Saluting from the Shore, will be published in August 2013.

Read the full interview »

Kevin Maxwell ’02, has been appointed chief executive officer of Prince George’s public schools. As CEO, Maxwell will be tasked with turning around the struggling school system and closing the achievement gap so it is more aligned with surrounding county systems.

Maxwell has a long history in public education, having spent more than 20 years as a teacher, principal and chief educational administrator of Prince George’s County. Most recently, he was superintendent of Anne Arundel County.

Maxwell received his Ph.D. in Language, Literacy and Culture from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

You can read more on Kevin Maxwell’s appointment below:

Washington Post article »
Baltimore Sun article »
The Bowie Blade-News article »
Afro-American Newspapers article »

On Monday, July 8, Fox News visited the UMBC campus as part of a story on the new USM requirements that all state institutions become smoke free by July 1. Students interviewed for the story shared their thoughts on past rules for smoking and how the new policy will impact life on campus.

“On one side you kind of want to have personal freedoms, but at the same time we’re at a public university that’s getting public money,” said a UMBC student.

Read the full article »

Erin O’Keefe ’08, MPP, has been named to the Daily Record’s VIP list, which honors leaders under 40 for their professional accomplishments and commitment to inspiring change in their communities. Erin is the director of the York Road Initiative at Loyola University.

Greg Sileo ’11, MPP, was named to the Daily Record’s 20 Under Twenty list, which honors Maryland up-and-comers who are in their 20s. Greg is the Director of the Office of Home Energy Programs at the Maryland Department of Human Resources, and was formerly the Director of Community Outreach for the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services.

Chosen by a panel of previous award winners, honorees are chosen based on professional development, civic involvement and impact of achievement.

When UMBC’s search committee met Tim Hall it was clear he embodied all the characteristics and values ingrained in the campus culture, Dr. Nancy Young, Vice President of Student Affairs, told the crowd at a June news conference. The Baltimore Sun article also highlighted the enthusiasm of the new AD joining a university with strong academics, as well as Division I sports programs.

“I really look at UMBC as an institution athletically that is under the radar and I don’t see any reason why we can’t be one of the best comprehensive Division I programs that doesn’t sponsor football in the country,” Hall said. “It’s a great academic institution.”

The USM Board of Regents has required all USM institutions, including UMBC, to provide a healthy, smoke-free environment for all faculty, staff, students, contractors, and visitors by July 1, 2013.

In response, a Smoke-Free Campus Task Force was appointed – with representatives from UMBC’s shared governance organizations, including students, faculty, and staff members – to make recommendations about how best to implement this policy on our campus.

After working throughout the spring semester, the task force has recommended that smoking be allowed in two designated areas removed from major pedestrian traffic, in order to provide a safe space for any students, faculty, or staff who may continue to smoke – especially after dark. For students, faculty, and staff who would like to stop smoking, University Health Services offers free visits with a medical provider who will provide support and discuss various options for quitting.

This new policy reflects a national movement to provide healthy, smoke-free environments on college campuses and brings UMBC in line with more than 800 colleges in the United States that are already smoke free. Your support and assistance is appreciated, as UMBC implements this new policy designed to make our campus community healthier for all who study, work or visit here.

More information about the full implementation plan will be provided in the coming weeks.

TO: The UMBC Community

FROM: Dr. Nancy Young, Vice President for Student Affairs

RE: Announcing the Appointment of Tim Hall as Athletic Director

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Hall as Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, effective July 8, 2013.

Hall joins the UMBC community from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), where for the past six years he has served as Director of Athletics. Prior to leading UMKC athletics, he served as Associate Athletics Director for Development at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Hall’s appointment builds on substantial UMBC momentum, including championships in seven different sports over 10 seasons in the America East Conference. He succeeds Dr. Charles Brown, who will retire June 30, completing a 24-year tenure that has elevated both the Retrievers’ athletic and academic performance.
On behalf of the entire campus community I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to all members of the Search Committee, chaired by Jack Suess. Their commitment and hard work constitutes an outstanding contribution to the future of the UMBC athletics program.

During his time at UMKC, Hall propelled the university to new heights at the NCAA Division I level in athletic competitiveness, academic success, fundraising and community service efforts. He led UMKC to conference championship wins in men’s soccer, men’s golf, men’s tennis and softball and, most recently, drove the UKMC athletics program into a new era, announcing that it would join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) on July 1, 2013. Hall is also in a three-year term on the NACDA Division I-AAA Executive Committee and serves on the NCAA volleyball rules committee, as well as the NCAA committee on Women’s Athletics.

Hall will have direct responsibility for the UMBC’s NCAA Division I Intercollegiate Athletics program, all campus recreational programs (intramurals, club sports, recreational activities) and the Physical Education program. His primary responsibility will be to encourage and support the total development of all students and student-athletes at UMBC through competitive, recreational and educational sports programs and activities sponsored by the university.

We couldn’t be more enthused to welcome an athletic director with a competitive spirit, integrity and a proven track record of success. I know Tim Hall will be a valuable addition to our campus community. Please join me in welcoming and supporting him.

Search Committee Members:

• Jack Suess (Chair), Vice President for Information Technology and CIO
• Dale Bittinger, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
• Stanyell Bruce, Professional Staff Senate Representative
• Jesse Fox, Graduate Student Association Representative
• Aly Gazarek, Student Athlete Advisory Committee Representative
• Hannah Khan, Student Government Association Representative
• Cindy Kubiet, Director of Sports Medicine
• George LaNoue, Athletic and Recreation Policy Representative
• Kim Leisey, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
• Marvin Mandel, NCAA Faculty Representative
• Charles Nicholas, Athletic and Recreation Policy Chair
• Chase Plummer, Student Athlete Representative
• Greg Simmons, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
• Valerie Thomas, Associate Vice President for Human Resources
• Don Zimmerman, Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach / Pete Caringi, Head Men’s Soccer Coach (Co-Representatives)

The UMBC athletic program matched its best-ever finish by placing third in the race for the America East Conference’s Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup. The Retrievers’ 19-sport program also finished third in 2007-08 and 2010-11 and bested last year’s fourth-place finish. UMBC has finished in the top four of the league in six of the last eight seasons.

UMBC won a pair of titles, capturing league crowns in men’s soccer and men’s swimming and diving. It was the second league championship in three seasons for Pete Caringi Jr.’s squad, while Chad Cradock’s team won the coveted title for the ninth time in ten AEC campaigns.

The Retrievers also pulled down a league-high five runners-up finishes in women’s swimming & diving, women’s indoor track & field, men’s lacrosse, men’s tennis and men’s outdoor track & field.

Read the full release »

New Media Studio and Maryland Traditions’ “Mill Stories” Project in Dundalk Eagle.

The 2013 Baker Artist Award winners were announced this week, and Jenny O’Grady, Director of Alumni and Development Communications, is one of nine b-grant recipients.

The b-grant Prize is awarded annually to up to nine artists, and recognizes emerging artists and established artists exploring new directions in their work. Read more about the prize and view O’Grady’s work at the Baker Artist Awards website, or view the coverage of the awards’ announcement in the Baltimore Sun.