Another dog-tastic weekend is in the books with the conclusion of UMBC’s 2025 Homecoming celebration. Past, present, and future Retrievers enjoyed more than 40 events this year, participating in popular UMBC classics such as the Homecoming Bonfire, GRIT-X, the Carnival, and especially, the Puppy Parade.

Check out the festivities at this year’s—thankfully, not rainy—Homecoming!

Firing up Homecoming

UMBC’s annual Homecoming Bonfire was a perfect way to kick off the Homecoming festivities and create a nice warm welcome for attendees. The UMBC Down and Dirty Dawg Band brought the spirit as family and friends gathered around the Bonfire.

Retriever Madness returned to hype up the Retriever community for all the athletics teams playing during Homecoming and beyond. UMBC’s athletics teams came together with the campus community to introduce themselves before the basketball season began, and volunteers played games—including a dance battle—to win amazing prizes and Retriever swag. 

Also hot this Homecoming celebration were the UMBC GRIT-X presentations. This annual series of presentations celebrates the passion and achievements of UMBC’s alumni, faculty, and graduate students. The TED-style talks invite the community into ongoing research on campus, as well as invite alumni experts to share about their work in cutting-edge fields. 

Tents were set up along Erickson Field with different clubs, departments, organizations, and vendors. At the Division of Professional Studies booth, Gowtham Karaka, M.P.S. ’24, played six simultaneous games of chess, against six different opponents, for nearly four hours straight. In total, he faced 28 challengers, and not one managed to beat him.

In order for all these events to work smoothly, volunteers from across campus worked to help create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for Homecoming guests. Gavin Gilliland, assistant director of first-year academic programs, explained his eagerness to help out: “I chose to volunteer at Homecoming because it’s so community focused. It’s a way to connect with the UMBC community broadly and interact not only with current students, faculty, and staff, but alumni, parents, guests, friends of UMBC, community members, and more.” 

Gilliland, who helped check people into the Alumni and Friends Welcome Tent on Saturday, said that “being a small part of such a big day is an easy way to make an impact. I’m a people person and I love making small talk and helping people find their way, not just in my day job but at events like Homecoming as well. My favorite part of the day was seeing it all come together and seeing all of the friendly faces enjoying the celebrations.”

Fun, family, and friends

A “phun” and out of this world event at Homecoming was Phun Phamily Physics. Attendees got to explore the UMBC Observatory with a rotation of family-friendly physics and astronomy demonstrations, as well as tour the control room and dome of the UMBC Observatory—the largest optical telescope on the East Coast! 

Bringing folks back down to Earth, a record number of runners and walkers participated in this year’s sold-out Retriever 5K and Family Fun Run, exploring the highs and lows of aptly-named Hilltop Circle. This event’s emphasis was on camaraderie, bringing together all paces and styles to enjoy the fun.

At a more sedate pace later in the day, furry friends, big and small, showed off their costumes in the Puppy Parade! After strutting their stuff, it was time for the costume competition. From mermaids to spaghetti and meatballs, dog breeds of all kinds showed their true “Retriever” spirit!

The Homecoming Carnival is one of UMBC’s main events. Jenn Harvey Miranda ’09, modern languages and linguistics, M.A. ’11, TESOL, celebrated this year’s Homecoming by bringing her family for the first time to enjoy all the festivities. “It was pretty incredible being back on campus, especially since this fall marks exactly 20 years since I started there as a freshman! I was surprised at how being physically back in the space where so many memories took place transported me so completely back to my college days,” says Miranda. 

“It was really special thinking back on the many friendships that were forged over my years there, and I’m so grateful I got to share the day with two of those very friends who I joined at Homecoming. And my 4-year-old is still talking about all of the rides he got to go on, so he had a lot of fun too.” 

Retrievers of all ages (dogs included) know what it means when the sweltering summer heat and humidity begin to be replaced with the cool, crisp air of autumn. When the pumpkin spice lattes flow from the University Center and hoodies become the marquee clothing item on campus. Homecoming season is upon us.

“The energy of Homecoming and Family Weekend is what most excites me,” says Renique Kersh, vice president for student affairs. “Having an opportunity to see alumni come back and reconnect with this place that they loved so much and seeing the smiles on the faces of our parents, families, and current students is incredibly meaningful.”

Hyped for Homecoming

This year’s Homecoming promises a mix of cherished traditions and exciting new events, offering something for every member of the UMBC community. The festivities kick off on Sunday, October 5, with the student org kickball tournament and one of the university’s longest-standing Homecoming traditions, the Homecoming bonfire, which has been illuminating Erickson field since 2004. The next day, students can pick up their Homecoming 2025 shirts at Homecoming Hype from 12 – 1 p.m. in The Commons. 

The Homecoming excitement continues to build on Thursday, October 9, with two events that celebrate the heart of the UMBC experience: academic excellence and Retriever pride. Get ready to be inspired as we celebrate the passion and accomplishments of UMBC alumni, faculty, and staff in the areas of research and creative achievement at this year’s GRIT-X Talks and Reception. After the formal program, you’re invited to a special reception and showcase. Mix and mingle, learn something new, and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres. 

“I am especially excited about opportunities to explore the intersection between the thought-provoking work of some of our faculty and the exciting impact of our alumni speakers,” says Karl Steiner, vice president for research and creative achievement. “I can’t wait to welcome them to present their work on stage.”

Following GRIT-X, head over to the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena for Retriever Madness, an old favorite making its Homecoming return to help kick off the 2025 – 2026 basketball season. Enjoy live entertainment, games and prizes, autograph sessions and meet-and-greets with student athletes, tasty snacks and beverages, and so much more. Wear your best black and gold as we celebrate what it means to be part of Retriever Nation.

“I love that our student-athletes get to play a part in the buzz and excitement of the week as we bring students, alumni, and families together in celebration of our university,” says Tiffany D. Tucker, director of athletics, physical education, and recreation. “Homecoming is a tremendous opportunity to pull the UMBC community together.”

Bring your pup!

Homecoming weekend has something for everyone, including your furry, four-legged friends (looking at you, Puppy Parade). On Friday night, October 10, students are invited to preview the carnival before the rest of the community joins the fun on Saturday, October 11. But, Homecoming is so much more than carnival rides and games. The day is packed with events from the Retriever 5K and Family Fun Run at 8:30 a.m., all the way to the men’s soccer game vs. New Hampshire at 7 p.m. 

There are plenty of Homecoming favorites returning, like the Greek Alumni and Friends Day Party, First Lego League Build, and Taste of Maryland Crab Feast. And there are a few new events sure to capture the hearts of Retrievers, like the re-imagined community breakfast.

Start your Homecoming Saturday off right with a warm and welcoming breakfast at True Grit’s, UMBC’s beloved dining hall. Also new this year, you can challenge a real chess champ outside the alumni and friends tent. Step right up and take on Gowtham Karaka, M.P.S. ’24, one of the UMBC Summer Enrichment Academy chess instructors, as he plays up to six games with six different players…at the same time! There are prizes if you win, but no shame if you lose! It’s all in the name of smart fun.

“This year, I’m excited to participate in the 5K run,” says Kersh, “and to join our families at the new wine and cheese reception!”

Homecoming 2025 comes to an end on Sunday, October 12, with the women’s soccer senior day game vs. Bryant, which includes a t-shirt giveaway for the first 300 fans. It’s the perfect way to cap off a whirlwind week of Homecoming excitement.

“I love all the Retriever energy and excitement that comes with Homecoming,” says Nate Dissmeyer ’07, information systems, president of the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors. “There are so many amazing events and activities.”

View the full lineup of Homecoming 2025 events at homecoming.umbc.edu.

Families, friends, furry pals, and Retrievers of all ages returned to UMBC’s campus last week for the 2024 Homecoming celebration. Retrievers were in high spirits as they enjoyed more than 30 events, including UMBC Homecoming staples like the beloved carnival and bonfire, and some attendees kicked off their Halloween festivities with costumes, pumpkins, and fall treats. 

Robots, pups, and Retriever traditions

In UMBC tradition, the Homecoming celebration had something for everyone. Leading up to main Homecoming weekend, students kicked Homecoming fun into high gear with the return of the student org kickball tournament. UMBC faculty and staff also took part in the fun at the annual faculty-staff social. 

A diverse breadth of UMBC’s research and creative achievement was on display at the eighth annual GRIT-X event. First-year computer science student Morgan Robbins attended this year’s GRIT-X with her mother, Nicole Robbins. The pair were impressed by GRIT-X speaker Aryya Gangopadhyay, professor of information systems, and student researchers in UMBC’s Center for Real-time Distributed Sensing and Autonomy (CARDS) who led a demonstration of their autonomous robotics technology.

“I’m interested in autonomous communication, and I like combining computing with helping people,” said Robbins. “This was my first time seeing research talks, and it was great to see the research happening at UMBC.”

During Homecoming and Family Weekend, there were smiles, cheers, and barks all around for the annual Puppy Parade, which featured dozens of animals in wild costumes. Dharma Bhatt ’23, psychology, said he came to Homecoming for one reason: “The puppy parade—entirely the puppy parade.” 

A weekend for family and friends 

Homecoming weekend also featured several get-togethers for various groups across the community, including reunions for UMBC’s “Founding Four” group and members of the university’s Honors College and scholars programs. President Valerie Sheares Ashby took part in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Lambda Phi chapter’s celebration of their 15th reunion. The group helped to raise more than $1,600 for UMBC’s Second Generation Scholarship Fund.

Jim Lotfi ’89, visual and performing arts, kept the party rocking during the annual Greek alumni reunion party. Lotfi shared that he loves hosting the Greek alumni party, saying that, “It’s a great time for fraternity and sorority members across all organizations to come together and reconnect. This is one of my favorite Homecoming events to participate in.” 

In the Alumni and Friends tent on Erickson Field, attendees enjoyed games, food, petting zoo fun, and moments of reconnecting with old classmates and other familiar faces. Senior Emily Trentalance said she attended Homecoming to be able to see friends and professors again. “It’s hard hanging out, especially with your alumni friends when people are busy, so it’s nice to see everyone,” she shares. 

During this year’s Taste of Maryland Homecoming event, 100 attendees gathered across from UMBC’s Bookstore in The Commons for a crab and assorted buffet feast. Alumni Association President Kevin Yang ’07, computer science and financial economics, and his wife Katelyn Niu ’05, biochemistry, brought their son along for the Homecoming fun. The family enjoyed the endless bushels of crabs with fellow alumni friends. 

“There’s nothing like a UMBC celebration, and what better way to reconnect and reminisce with old friends than with crabs,” said Yang. 

As the carnival lit up the night sky, many attendees made their way to the annual Homecoming Tailgate where they cheered on the men’s soccer team in their victory against the University of Vermont. 

Additional reporting provided by JJ Gee ’25 and Maashal Awan ’25 for UMBC.

Homecoming is around the corner, and the calendar is full of favorite community events—along with some new opportunities and unique Halloween twists.

The festivities start off October 20, with the Student Org Kickball Tournament, an old tradition making a comeback thanks to Campus Life. Teams receive bragging rights (and prize money to spend on their student organizations). That night the Homecoming bonfire returns to light up the night.

Events really kick into high-gear on October 24 with GRIT-X talks by UMBC faculty and alumni, now given their own special night to celebrate research and creative achievements. The following Friday brings the carnival preview and Athletics Hall of Fame banquet with new Athletics Director Tiffany Tucker. Saturday, October 26, has the most activities to offer—featuring the famous puppy and pet parade, 5k and family fun run, Greek alumni day party, Taste of Maryland crab feast, men’s soccer game vs. Vermont, and much more.

“We do try to have something for everyone,” says Bobby Lubaszewski ’10, M.P.S. ’23, director of communications and marketing for the Office of Institutional Advancement and one of the event organizers. “This year’s event is close to Halloween, so we’re leaning into the Halloween theme with pumpkin painting for the kids and other activities.” 

A chance to celebrate and reconnect

Jess Wyatt, associate director of Alumni Engagement and another of the event organizers, says Homecoming offers Retrievers of all ages and backgrounds and their families a chance to connect. Her own kids enjoy the festivities each year and have made friends with colleagues’ children. 

Sara Osman ’09, modern languages and linguistics, and M.A. ’11, TESOL, recently started attending Homecoming as an opportunity to introduce her young kids to the campus where she and her husband, Karim Yergaliyev ’09, business technology administration, met. “We like to show our three-year-old and six-year-old the places around campus from our stories of the early years when we were dating,” Osman says. “It’s also a nice time to meet up with other alumni and their families.”

The Osman-Yergaliyev family not only re-lives old memories at Homecoming, they also create new ones. Last year, they were some of the few people still at the carnival as the rain came down. “We were playing ring toss when Karim won a stuffed unicorn so large we could barely get it home,” Osman says.

Something for everyone

The plethora of events showcase all UMBC has to offer. You can see demos of advanced AI robot technology one night, reconnect with your childhood on a carnival ride the next, and finish the weekend cheering on the UMBC soccer teams.

Homecoming this year also coincides with UMBC’s annual Livewire new music festival, an exploration of new sounds presented in six concerts over the three days from October 24 – 26.

New this year, the Physics Department is offering tours of the UMBC Observatory, including descriptions of telescope operations and the basics of astronomical detection. “Where else can you go to tour an observatory at Homecoming? That’s really cool!” says Wyatt.

UMBC’s GRIT-X event is returning for its eighth year with a lineup of dynamic talks spanning a wide range of subjects, including insight into the university’s contributions to the next Moon landing mission, a look into Baltimore City’s new violence prevention plan, human-robot interaction, and much more. 

GRIT-X, a TED-Talks styled showcase of presentations on compelling aspects of UMBC’s impact in the research and creative achievement space, is one of more than a dozen events happening during UMBC’s Homecoming 2024 celebration. This year’s GRIT-X will take place ahead of Homecoming weekend, returning to the Fine Arts Recital Hall on October 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. 

The annual series spotlights developing research from UMBC faculty experts and alumni who are doing impactful work. This year’s lineup features alum-turned-physics professor Todd Pittman, M.S. ’92, Ph.D. ’96, physics, who’ll be discussing the foundations of classical and quantum physics. 

In his GRIT-X presentation, Pittman will dive deep into quantum entanglement, the major disparity between classical and quantum physics. “Right now, we’re in the era of trying to use quantum physics to do new and more powerful things in information processing,” says Pittman. 

UMBC research and creative achievement in action 

Takashi Yamashita, professor of sociology, anthropology, and public health, will discuss his research in aging and lifelong learning with his talk, “When Does Our Education End? Aging and Life Course Perspectives.” 

“I will explore a range of education benefits across life stages. I’m excited to introduce key ideas from gerontology and how they help us think about important topics in our lives, such as education, work, and leisure,” says Yamashita, who is the co-director of UMBC’s joint gerontology doctoral program with the University of Maryland, Baltimore. 

GRIT-X 2024 will feature:

• Guenet Abraham, Professor of visual arts
• Mehdi Benna, Research scientist at the Center for Space Sciences and Technology (CSST)
• Aryya Gangopadhyay, Professor of information systems; director of the Center for Real-time Distributed Sensing and Autonomy (CARDS)
• Stefanie Mavronis ’12, political science, media and communication studies, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, City of Baltimore
• Tamra Mendelson, Professor of biological sciences
• G. Derek Musgrove ’97, history, Associate professor of history and affiliate professor of Africana studies
• Patricia Ordóñez, M.S. ’10, Ph.D. ’12, computer science, Associate professor of information systems
• Todd Pittman, M.S. ’92, Ph.D. ’96, physics, Professor of physics
• Takashi Yamashita, Professor of sociology, anthropology, and public health

Another alum-turned professor, Patricia Ordóñez, will discuss “Why moms should be the leaders in computing education” with her GRIT-X presentation. 

“I noticed that some women my age who are mothers and grandmothers, their digital skills are not as advanced as they should be because they were taking care of children or working in fields that don’t require the technology to be so advanced,” says Ordóñez. “This becomes a digital determinant of health, education, getting employment, or applying for additional opportunities.”

Ordóñez is working to develop a community computing learning center that assists mothers and others from marginalized and underserved communities to strengthen what she calls their “digital identity.” Her talk will also break down how research can impact change within communities.

“If you can’t see people that look like you in computing, it gets very isolating, and it starts to make you think maybe I’m in the wrong field,” she adds. “I’m trying to model my own experience for my students in seeing teaching and research happening at the same time.”

For the first time, GRIT-X will be followed by a reception and special showcase event held in UMBC’s Engineering Building. The reception showcase will include remarks from several GRIT-X speakers from previous years on updates on their research and recent work. The event is in partnership with the Office of Institutional Advancement and bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park.

Learn more about this year’s line up and watch the GRIT-X 2024 presentations. 

At UMBC, we’re still young enough to be making traditions. Meet Thomas Locastro, biological sciences alumnus, who knew from day one on campus in 2003 that he wanted to leave behind a lasting legacy.

Locastro joined the newly-made First Year Council, designed to help students view themselves as co-creators of our campus community. “They were encouraging us to pick something to do,” Locastro explains. “How do you leave your mark?”

Locastro brainstormed an idea that would be exciting for students but still relatively inexpensive, and therefore hopefully repeatable. He landed on a bonfire. In the center of campus.

Understandably, there were some roadblocks. But Locastro had staff members to champion his idea. Jen Dress, then the coordinator for the students events board, was integral to the process. “We are really dedicated to figuring things out when students come to us with dreams to make things happen,” says Dress, now director of engagement for Campus Life.

The other MVP, says Locastro, is Glen Cook, a member of the grounds crew who collects pallets leading up to the fire and is always trying to make the conflagration bigger and better (while staying safe).

“I talked to so many people before I found the right people to really push the idea forward for approval with me,” Locastro says. Since the first bonfire in 2004, Locastro has attended every lighting since.

“I’ve flown back from Saudi Arabia to make this event,” Locastro says. “I’ve flown back from Monaco. I’ve flown back from a lot of places in the U.S. I’ve never missed it.” 

Thousands of students have warmed their hands at the last 19 years of bonfires. What tradition will you start at UMBC?

When you think about UMBC’s Homecoming, you undoubtedly conjure images of carnival rides, black and gold decorations, and the beloved Puppy Parade. But what Homecoming is really about, for us, is the people. We asked social media intern Allison John ‘24, psychology, to share what it was like to walk a mile (or more accurately, many, many miles) in her shoes during this year’s Homecoming. 

We always hope the skies will be blue and the sun will be shining for UMBC’s Homecoming, but that unfortunately wasn’t the case this year. Luckily, that did not stop students, alumni, family, and friends from taking part in all the festivities that Homecoming brings! This year I was lucky to not only partake as a student, but also as a board member of UMBC’s Student Events Board (seb), and as an intern for University Communications and Marketing (UCM). Being involved in all these roles meant I got to see Homecoming through a different lens. 

As a student, I loved going to the carnival with all my friends on Homecoming preview night. We enjoyed all the different rides, played carnival games, and took in the moments knowing that college goes by so quickly and if we don’t cherish it while we’re here, it’ll be gone before we notice. 

Helping co-create Homecoming

As a board member of (seb), I loved getting involved with activities that I may not have participated in otherwise. I got the chance to interact with all the amazing vendors we had, ranging from the petting zoo and food trucks, to the balloon and caricature artists. This role allowed me to create amazing memories for so many people and to play a part in the magic that happens on campus during Homecoming. I even got the chance to ride around campus on golf carts, placing the huge Homecoming stickers on the sidewalk that always amazed me when I was a first-year student.

By far, my favorite role of all was the role I played as a UCM intern. I had the opportunity to capture memories throughout Homecoming weekend by taking pictures at the Puppy Parade and seeing all the festive dogs that got to partake in such a fun tradition. I also had the opportunity to explore the Alumni and Friends Tent and meet so many alumni and witness them reconnecting with old friends and talking about how much has changed since they graduated. 

Being a senior now, I got emotional throughout Homecoming weekend. I know that although I can always come back for Homecoming, this was the last time I had the chance to make an impact on the UMBC community as a student and help create the special memories that Homecoming is all about. Homecoming is truly a culmination of so many different events including the annual bonfire, Athletics games, the 5k run, Puppy Parade, carnival, food trucks, pumpkin painting, the Alumni and Friends Tent, and so much more. 

As I took the time to reflect on Homecoming, I came to realize that, at its core, Homecoming is about one thing—you. It’s about your story and how UMBC has played a part in that story. Homecoming is so special because it brings so many people together in one place to reconnect, and whether it’s been one year since you graduated or 30, there are still so many memories to be made at Homecoming. 

During my time talking to alumni, our conversations would always lead to me learning more about how college played a role in who they are now. Some told me about lessons that they learned while attending UMBC, and I even learned about one alum who met her fiancé here. It’s these lessons and memories that make us who we are. Homecoming is what reminds us every year how special these moments are and why we should take a break from the chaos of life and enjoy the people that surround us. Homecoming 2023 was one to remember because it’s a reminder that even the weather can’t put a damper on the importance and strength of a community, our UMBC community.

By Allison John ’24, psychology

Homecoming this year is full of fun events for canine and human Retrievers alike, whether they’re students, staff, faculty, alumni or friends and family. The week kicks off with the women’s soccer game on October 8, followed by a Maryland-themed dinner event and the Homecoming Bonfire. 

Homecoming Saturday on October 14 has something for all the good pups on and off campus. While dogs have always been a large part of UMBC’s culture, UMBC has been creating new traditions with its furry friends in the past few years, like the RAC’s new Laps with Officer Chip and the now annual tradition of the Homecoming Puppy Parade. The parade first began in 2016 to celebrate the university’s 50th birthday, but it wasn’t until 2019 that it was brought back to stay. Each Homecoming since then, around one hundred dogs participate, showing that the puppy parade has become a very well-loved tradition for the UMBC community. 

“I would say that it has become a highlight of Homecoming Saturday,” says Candace Martinez-Doane, the assistant director of student engagement and organizer of the parade. “The participants are alums, students bringing their family pets, and community members who all look forward to coming together and participating in a very cute event.”

Something for Retrievers of all generations

The carnival will open up first as a preview event for students on October 13, and then to the rest of the community on Saturday, October 14. In addition to the rides and games, the day will be full of activities, starting with the Retriever Dawg Chase 5K and Fun Run and ending late that night at the brand new Greek Life Alumni and Friends party. Whether you plan to stop by the Alumni & Friends Tent for snacks, ride the rides and play the carnival games, or just enjoy the food trucks and petting zoo, Homecoming is a great time for bringing Retrievers of all generations together. 

“What’s most exciting about Homecoming is it truly embodies UMBC’s definition of community,” says Jess Wyatt, associate director of Alumni Engagement and one of the event organizers. “Many of the staff who execute the activities throughout the week also bring their family and friends to the big carnival day. It’s become a tradition in so many families including my own! My kids look forward to seeing their ‘Homecoming friends,’ which includes many of my colleagues and their kids.”

Celebrate the achievements of UMBC’s student-athletes and alumni at the Athletics Hall of Fame induction on October 13. And if you love lacrosse but prefer watching it from the stands, join the women’s lacrosse team for a potluck breakfast on October 14. The whole week leading up to the carnival is full of opportunities to cheer on our student-athletes as they take the field. 

Homecoming gives us the chance to celebrate our community of Retrievers off the field as well. GRIT-X Talks features alumni and faculty speakers highlighting compelling aspects of UMBC’s advancements in research and creative achievements. Keep an eye out for social events throughout the week, like the Deans and Donuts mix-and-mingle in the Sports Zone or other affinity group meet-ups.

A PAWsitively BARKING good time

And of course, around 1 p.m. on October 14, start listening for “Who Let the Dogs Out” and watch as dogs and their owners proudly display their costumes and UMBC pride to everyone on Erickson Field. After the parade, winners of the costume contest will be chosen in four categories: most UMBC spirit, most creative, best owner and pet combo, and best overall. 

“The spirit and joy that the puppy parade brings to the participants and spectators is really special,” says Martinez-Doane. “It’s such an adorable event that speaks to the uniqueness that is UMBC.”

At UMBC, we celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni community year round, but our annual Athletics Hall of Fame induction and Alumni Awards ceremony and reception give us a chance to cheer extra loud for the outstanding Retrievers among us. 

Stanyell Odom, director of alumni engagement, says it best about the incoming class of awardees: “These award winners embody so many of the characteristics that make UMBC such a special place. They are leaders in their professions and fields—innovative teachers, educators, and scientists—and are engaged and proud members of this UMBC community.”

The 23rd Hall of Fame induction 

Coming up on October 13, as part of Homecoming’s series of events, Athletics will honor a new class of Hall of Fame, including:

• Cleopatra Borel ’02 , interdisciplinary studies, track & field
• Cornelia Carapcea ’09, information systems/financial economics, tennis
• Pete Caringi III ’15, psychology, men’s soccer 
• Carlee Cassidy Dewey ’10, media and  communication studies/sociology, women’s basketball 
• Emily Escobedo ’17, psychology, women’s swimming & diving 
• Brian Hodges ’07, financial economics, men’s basketball 

This range of Retriever student-athletes comprises a 4-time Olympian, a host of America East conference honors, a 4.0 GPA co-salutatorian, and others who are leaders on and off their field of play. The 23rd induction will take place at UMBC’s University Center Ballroom on Friday, October, 13, 2023 at 6 p.m. Register to attend or learn more about the awardees. 

Excellence in our alumni community

Later in the month, join the Alumni Association Board of Directors for the 2023 Alumni Awards ceremony to recognize and celebrate the professional and personal achievements of outstanding alumni, faculty, and—new this year—an exemplary staff member. 

“The cohort represents excellence in our alumni community,” says Odom, “and now honors both the faculty and staff who’ve made lasting impacts on the lives of our Retriever alumni.” Cheer on the individuals below on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 6:30 in the Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall in the Performing Arts and Humanities Building.

Outstanding Alumni

• Humanities – Aaron Ralby ’05, English and modern languages and linguistics, founder and CEO, Linguisticator
• Social Sciences – Josh Michael ’10,political science,Ph.D. ’22, public policy,  executive director, Sherman Family Foundation
• Visual & Performing Arts – James Dorsey ’05, music technology and vocal performance, artist and National Board Certified Educator, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Maryland 
• Engineering & IT – Annica Wayman ’99, mechanical engineering, associate dean and professor of the practice, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, UMBC
• Natural & Mathematical Sciences – Kay Bidle ’91, biological sciences, professor, Department of Marine & Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University

Distinguished Service

• Anwesha Dey, Ph.D. ‘04, biochemistry and molecular biology, director, Discovery Oncology and Distinguished Scientist, Genentech

Rising Star

• Asif Majid ’13, interdisciplinary studies, assistant professor of theatre and human rights, University of Connecticut

Outstanding Staff

• Rehana Shafi, director, Sherman Teacher Scholars Program

Outstanding Faculty

• E.F. Charles LaBerge, Ph.D. ’03, electrical engineering, professor of the practice, computer science and electrical engineering, UMBC

Late this summer, President Freeman Hrabowski announced that he will be retiring from UMBC at the end of this academic year after a career that has included more than 30 years at UMBC. We sat down to talk about moments of joy he has experienced in his penultimate semester, and why he’s so very excited about the future of UMBC.

UMBC Magazine: I’ve been thinking a lot about what life must have been like for you since you made your big announcement. In the days and weeks that followed, what has brought you joy?

Freeman Hrabowski: Well, it has been this spirit of love that is all around us. You may recall that in one of my opening speeches on campus, right after announcing, I talked about the idea that UMBC is “the house that love built,” which is inspired by the Ronald McDonald house. And that thought has really resonated with people—from alumni to faculty and staff, to our students. People believe in the UMBC way, and that means an emphasis on grit and resilience. It means supporting each other, having compassion, academic excellence, and really being grateful to be a part of such a healthy community. And that’s the part that’s given me such joy. 

People from around the country have been writing and saying, “Wow, what is the magic sauce, that secret sauce at UMBC?” The truth is that when you talk to people who work here, they love it. You talk to our alumni, and they’re so proud to be from our institution. So, when they ask, “What is the secret sauce?” I say, “We have really good people here. We care about each other. We love ideas. We love working with people in the communities. We’re proud of our alumni.” 

And to see just how supportive people are is just wonderful… and at this past Homecoming taking photos with the children of alumni, I was just surprised by it all. I didn’t think I could ever be surprised, but at Homecoming when we took the big community photo, and you’ve got all those folks on the library steps and they’re all applauding—well, I wasn’t ready for it. I was getting a little emotional. But it was so special. And that’s what I’ve been feeling since announcing. 

At Homecoming 2021, Dr. Hrabowski snaps a shot of the group who gathered to take an updated community photo. Courtesy of Jim Burger.

UMBC Magazine: Thinking ahead, what are you hoping that alumni and our community will be keeping top of mind as we travel into the spring and the transition ahead?

Hrabowski: It is the idea that this is not a story about one person. It is about all of us and  the alumni who helped build the foundation; UMBC really belongs to the alumni. And it’s about how proud we are as faculty and staff, administrators, and students to be here at this moment. For all of us, it is about caring about this university, this house that love built.

You know people always say, “What’s going to happen to UMBC?” And I’m saying, “UMBC is going to continue to get better and better and better because we’ve laid a great foundation… People have been so amazingly supportive of me for the past 30 years, and the other five when I was here before that, that everybody knows a new president will be given a chance to thrive and to help the university go to the next level. And she will be fantastic. I’ve been saying that to people putting that idea in the universe. We’ll see. We don’t know who that person will be. There are many people in leadership positions interested in the presidency of UMBC because the university is one of the most talked about and admired institutions in the country, and I leave it in really good shape. I feel so good about that.

And so this transition will be one where we’re shedding light on what’s important, and our shared values… the emphasis on people, loving ideas, the importance of grit, and most important—believing in ourselves. We are UMBC.

Learn more about the Presidential Search Process at president.umbc.edu.

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Header image by Marlayna Demond ’11.