Rick Bissell, emergency health services, was as an invited panel discussant at the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington, DC. The panel discussed public access to timely and valid science-based information in disasters and other emergencies. This topic has risen in importance in recent years following information inaccuracies or withholding in the following incidents: airborne particulates and contaminants secondary to the collapse of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, several “mad cow” incidents in the last decade in which information has been obfuscated, the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and various “superbug” infections at the NIH hospital, in which information was not shared with the public, emergency management, or other clinical centers.

These incidents were discussed as examples of the problem, and are not exhaustive. Bissell was one of three panelists, among 16, with an emergency public health and emergency management background. Other panelists represented journalism, food safety, environmental science, public policy, library science, political science, consumer safety, government communications, physics and nuclear proliferation, civil liberties and government accountability.

The Union of Concerned Scientists expects to have a preliminary policy paper available within the next month.

Sometimes, recent grad Roderick Howard II ’10, acting and media communications studies, just isn’t himself.

But, that’s the life of an actor — especially one, like Howard, who portrays multiple roles with the Maryland Historical Society Players. One day he’s Christian Fleetwood, a free black man who fought in the Civil War and received a Medal of Honor for bravery. The next he’s Charles Ball, a sailor in the War of 1812.

Howard loves bringing history to life. He and other MHS Players were profiled in a recent story in the Hagerstown Herald-Mail. Read it here.

For Howard, who has been with MHS since 2011 and who recently took on additional duties as a teacher for school programs, especially at the elementary and middle school level, it is exciting to teach as an actor.

“I enjoy the people I work with; the opportunity to expand my knowledge in American history, especially Maryland history; and the honor to portray a historical figure (Fleetwood) who, hopefully, will become even more of a well-known figure amongst those who consider Maryland to be their home, especially African-Americans,” said Howard.

“I also enjoy the opportunity to interact with visitors of the Maryland Historical Society and audiences of our outreach performances. It’s always a pleasure to hear how much they enjoy our performances and/or tours; how interested and knowledgeable they are with history; and stories about how historical events have directly impacted their lives or their loved ones.”

And the job has proved just as educational for Howard, he says.

“My work there has certainly opened my eyes. As an African-American, I have grown an even greater appreciation for those before me, who proudly and willing fought for the liberties and freedoms of America, despite being denied those same liberties and freedoms in their own country.”

Read more about the Maryland Historical Society Players and their schedule of appearances here.

In a fitting tribute to UMBC’s newest space — the Performing Arts and Humanities building — a stage-full of area cultural luminaries discussed the concept of “New Space” at the building’s opening ceremonies September 19. Among them was alumnus Kevin Griffin Moreno ’96, history, founder and host of Potluck Storytelling.
“The places we inhabit shape the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves,” Moreno told the audience during the standing room only panel moderated by Tom Hall, WYPR radio host and Baltimore Choral Arts Society director.
Read the full story about New Space and the PAHB opening.
Listen to a clip of Moreno at the New Space panel.
Moreno, who describes himself as “nonprofit policy geek by day; story collector by night,” runs Potluck Storytelling, which brings artists together to share stories, songs — and delicious food. Read more about Potluck Storytelling here.

In a fitting tribute to UMBC’s newest space — the Performing Arts and Humanities building — a stage-full of area cultural luminaries discussed the concept of “New Space” at the building’s opening ceremonies September 19. Among them was alumnus Kevin Griffin Moreno ’96, history, founder and host of Potluck Storytelling.

“The places we inhabit shape the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves,” Moreno told the audience during the standing room only panel moderated by Tom Hall, WYPR radio host and Baltimore Choral Arts Society director.

Read the full story about New Space and the PAHB opening.

Listen to a clip of Moreno at the New Space panel.

Moreno, who describes himself as “nonprofit policy geek by day; story collector by night,” runs Potluck Storytelling, which brings artists together to share stories, songs — and delicious food. Read more about Potluck Storytelling here.

On election day this November, some Marylanders will be voting on bond issues in addition to candidates and referenda. These ballot questions ask voters if their city or county should borrow money to fund particular projects, such as improvements to parks, schools and the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.

At a time when government budgets are on everyone’s mind, Sheilah Kast of WYPR’s Maryland Morning asks UMBC political science professor Roy Meyers to shed light on these bond issues.

_Music of the Mind: Cliche Verre Photographs and Digital Imagery of Jaromir Stephany_, with an essay by Tom Beck, UMBC chief curator, has been published by the Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery. The life and work of Jaromir “Jerry” Stephany, an Associate Professor of Art from 1973 to 1999, are presented in a monograph for the first time. Stephany has the distinction of being one of only a few artists ever who devoted so much of his career to making cliché verre photographs. He learned the technique from his mentor Henry Holmes Smith (acolyte of Moholy-Nagy), and made such “cosmic” series as “Landscapes of Outer Space” and “Psychosis.” Later in his career, he scanned his negatives into a computer and added vibrant colors to the work, thereby achieving an emotional load much like the classical music that he enjoyed throughout his life. Stephany’s last body of work, “Dark Music,” captures the last movement of a life inspired by such music as Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor. The book will be distributed by D.A.P. (Distributed Art Publishers).

UMBC political science professor Thomas F. Schaller appeared on television, radio and online media across Australia yesterday in coverage on the U.S. presidential election.

Schaller told “The World Today” and news.com.au that he expects the Democrats to hold the Senate and the Republicans to hold the House, by small margins, and President Obama to win the election by three or four points. Although one might expect high unemployment to hurt Obama’s chances, Schaller noted, many in the U.S. still blame former President Bush for current economic woes.

In a television interview on Australia World News, Schaller discussed Romney’s remarks about “the 47%,” which have dominated U.S. election news, and also the limited impact at this point of remaining undecided voters in key swing states. See the extended interview video for additional commentary.

Greg Cantori ’85, geography, will take the helm of Maryland Nonprofits, on October 1, the organization reports.
From the Maryland Nonprofits website:

Greg brings an impressive record of leadership experience to the position – as the CEO of two nonprofit organizations and key leadership roles in the region’s foundation community. He began his career as a Senior Cartographer at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (formally known as the Defense Mapping Agency), where he helped support our forces during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He then joined the nonprofit sector, serving seven years as Executive Director of the Light Street Housing Corporation, where he implemented a comprehensive vision of “homelessness to homeownership.” Moving to the philanthropic community, he directed the general operations of the Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation for 12 years. He served as an advisor to many nonprofits including the Bearman Foundation, as President of One Less Car, and as a boardmember of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers. Most recently he served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Sailing Center.

Read stories about the appointment in:

• Baltimore Business Journal
• The Washington Examiner
• Maryland Reporter

Cantori is the son of Lou Cantori, late professor of political science, and brother of Eric Cantori ’86, computer science.

Greg Cantori ’85, geography, will take the helm of Maryland Nonprofits, on October 1, the organization reports.

From the Maryland Nonprofits website:

Greg brings an impressive record of leadership experience to the position – as the CEO of two nonprofit organizations and key leadership roles in the region’s foundation community. He began his career as a Senior Cartographer at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (formally known as the Defense Mapping Agency), where he helped support our forces during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He then joined the nonprofit sector, serving seven years as Executive Director of the Light Street Housing Corporation, where he implemented a comprehensive vision of “homelessness to homeownership.” Moving to the philanthropic community, he directed the general operations of the Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation for 12 years. He served as an advisor to many nonprofits including the Bearman Foundation, as President of One Less Car, and as a boardmember of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers. Most recently he served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Sailing Center.

Read stories about the appointment in:

• Baltimore Business Journal
• The Washington Examiner
• Maryland Reporter

Cantori is the son of Lou Cantori, late professor of political science, and brother of Eric Cantori ’86, computer science.