Staying in the Loop is a new post series from the Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni (CBLA) that seeks to create connections between alumni, faculty, staff, and other supporters of UMBC and CBLA. Click here for more information about CBLA.

Name: Dr. Tamara L. Lewis
Major: Psychology
Grad year: 1992

Q: What do/did you enjoy most about being a part of the UMBC community?

From the moment I arrived on campus as a freshman, faculty, staff, and students reached out to encourage me to take full advantage of all the campus had to offer. After graduation, I still felt the campus was reaching out to me. I frequently received mailers and email correspondence about campus activities and opportunities to become involved as an alumni. I appreciate the opportunity to remain supportive and I stay connected by participating on various alumni committees and regularly attending alumni events. Currently, I serve on the Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni and the Alumni Board of Directors. I also enjoy co-hosting an annual alumni reunion of my sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated during Homecoming.

Q: UMBC is approaching its 50th anniversary (2016) and certainly the campus has come a long way – from a small commuter school to the nation’s #1 “up-and-coming” university – in such a relatively short period of time. What, in your opinion, makes UMBC so unique/special? What’s your most memorable experience/moment at UMBC?

One of the first UMBC items I purchased was a t-shirt decorated with flags and the statement, “The world is our campus.” That t-shirt reflected my perception of UMBC while I was a student and it still reflects my perception. I am excited by the world of opportunity UMBC affords its students.

Q: If you could meet one person in the world who would it be and why?

I’d like to meet President Barack Obama because he overcame many hurdles to accomplish something my ancestors never imagined – becoming the first African American President of the USA.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?

Giving back and saying “thank you” are two important lessons my parents taught me as a child. Upon graduating from UMBC, I couldn’t help but show my appreciation for the positive role UMBC played in my professional and personal development. It’s important for alumni to give both of their time and monetary donations, no matter how small.

Q: What is one book you think everyone should read?

I love to read, so recommending one book is difficult. However, the most important book I’ve read is the Bible.

Q: What is one thing you can’t live without?

I could never live without my belief in God because I draw all of my strength from my faith.

English alumna Loris Nebbia ’95 has published her first novel, Solomon’s Puzzle. A modern-day take of an age-old Bible tale, an excerpt of the 700-page book won the Maryland Writers’ Association’s 2010 prize for short fiction. (Nebbia also earned a master’s degree from UMBC in 1999.)

In an interview with the Annapolis Capital newspaper, Nebbia said writing a novel was a “dream come true.”

Learn more about Nebbia and Solomon’s Puzzle here.