Looks like good things happen in pairs for Retrievers! Four members of our community have been recognized in the media for their hard work. Rachel Hirsch and Miguel Palmeiro were featured on The Daily Record’s list of successful professionals under 40, and alum Jim Bailey and current student Seamus Ertel have been featured in two Baltimore Sun articles recognizing their dedication to Baltimore’s historic Fort McHenry.

Rachel Hirsch ’03, political science, and Miguel Palmeiro ’06, biological sciences, are on The Daily Record’s 2015 VIP Successful Before 40 list. Hirsch is currently a senior attorney at Ifrah Law, and Palmeiro also works as an attorney in private practice.

To see the full list of winners, click here.

Jim Bailey ’03, history, M.A. ’08 history, and current student Seamus Ertel ’17, describe their work at Fort McHenry. Bailey works as the coordinator of volunteers and oversees between 400-600 volunteers each summer as they work together to provide re-enactments for those visiting the fort.

Ertel’s involvement with Fort McHenry started at a very early age, when his father began working as a volunteer and then an employee. Seamus has followed in his footsteps, and currently works as a park ranger and in the fife and drum corps.

Find out more about Bailey and Ertel.

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Here at UMBC, we take pride in what our alums accomplish after graduation. Take a moment to see which Retrievers have been on the move and making news!

Baltimore’s Fort McHenry recently celebrated the 200th- anniversary of the “Star Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key in September 1814. Jim Bailey ’03 and ’08 M.A., history, took part in the festivity by portraying Major George Armistead, the fort’s commanding officer. Dressed in uniform, Bailey played his role and told history’s story, patrolling around the fort with thousands of children watching. Read the full article.

Brittany Walker ’12, sociology, was one of the first to train as a peer leader for Upward Bound at UMBC, a program which helps high school students with low-income families to prepare for college. Working as a mentor gives the mentor leadership skills and proves the younger students someone who can give them guidance. Walker now works there as a full-time academic advisor. Upward Bound is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. See the complete story.

Have a story of your own to share? Submit a class note.