For the second time in UMBC’s history, Samuel Patterson has earned the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Naomi Mburu (’18 Chemical Engineering) won the award in 2017. Established in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and perhaps most prestigious international scholarship program in the world, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to undertake full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, (ranked first internationally in the Times Higher Education rankings for 2017 and 2018). Sam was one of only thirty-two students selected from nearly 1,000 applicants, for his outstanding scholarly achievements, his outstanding character, his commitment to others and to the common good, and for his potential for leadership in his academic field. 

At UMBC, Sam is earning a triple degree in Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics. He is a member of the Honors College and a Meyerhoff Scholar. He has participated in three high-level internship experiences: one, with the Harvard Leadership Alliance; another at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business; and most recently at the National Bureau of Economic Research, where he evaluated the COVID-induced changes with regard to public transportation usage trends in cities such as New York, resulting in a forthcoming publication. He has consistently been named to the Dean’s and President’s lists at UMBC. His research interests include transportation economics, and bringing together those doing advocacy work and those doing research, introducing new ideas to government leaders and creating real change by providing opportunities for people to escape poverty. His work asks questions about how people access their jobs, schools, hospitals, food, election polls, cultural institutions, via public transportation, and how that access can be improved.

If that isn’t enough, Sam is a dedicated musician who plays multiple instruments and produces music, avidly collects funk music records, and performs locally with his bands. Sam is from Marietta, Georgia, but quickly made Arbutus his home. As the Music Director of the Retriever Music Society, he has performed at OCA Mocha, the UMBC-owned, student-run coffee shop in Arbutus. He has also worked as a volunteer for Creative Coders, an after-school program at Arbutus Middle School, teaching public school children computer coding skills, and he even made efforts to save Mike’s pizza shop in Arbutus when it was going out of business as a result of the COVID pandemic.

The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for exceptional young people with the potential to make a difference for good in the world. Sam has that rare mixture of grit and excellence that is the best of what UMBC represents. His experience in the U.K. will enrich not only his academic path, but also his personal journey in so many profound ways. We can’t wait to see what he can accomplish with the support he will receive from this scholarship.

See the full UMBC News story here:

https://news.umbc.edu/sam-patterson-umbcs-newest-rhodes-scholar-plans-to-transform-transportation/

The Literacy Lab is still hiring tutors for 2020 - 2021 school year in Baltimore, MD.

Due to the current pandemic and distance learning, they anticipate many college students may be struggling to connect with employers and feeling anxious, and therefore they are offering to connect virtually with any interested individuals.

The Literacy Lab is an AmeriCorps partner program providing individualized reading support for students ages 3 to grade 3 in Baltimore and other cities across the country. During their one-year service term, tutors receive training and support, a modest cost-of-living stipend, health insurance, and are eligible for SNAP benefits if they choose to use them. 

The Literacy Lab’s mission is to provide children from low-income families with individualized reading instruction to improve literacy skills, leading to greater success in school and increased opportunities in life. We are committed to bridging the learning gap many students face. During the Covid-19 pandemic that gap is growing and the importance of continuing our impact is greater than ever. If you are interested in becoming a part of our impact in Baltimore, check out our Year at a Glance and FAQ page. To learn more about our work, the commitment, locations, benefits, and application process visit our website. After reviewing, you can submit an application here. We hope to have youjoin our team this year!

If you are interested in joining our team but can not commit to our work this school year, keep an eye out for our 21-22 application. It will launch soon!

Retriever Essentials is holding our Home for the Holidays Food Drive. The food drive will be running from Monday, November 9th to Friday, November 20th. If you are interested in supporting our community and would like to donate, we are accepting the following items:

• Canned yams

• Canned cranberry sauce 

• Stuffing 

• Boxed instant mashed potatoes

• Canned potatoes

• Canned or boxed instant gravy

• Coffee/Tea (please no Keurig cups)

• Hot Chocolate

• Apple Sauce

• Instant Pudding 

• Canned fruit

• Rice-or-roni

• Can openers 

• Self stable milks (soy, dairy)

• Travel-sized shampoo and conditioner & lotion

• Regular-sized shampoo and conditioner

• Vegetarian soups

• Chapstick

• Toilet paper

• Deodorant 

• Jellies

We kindly ask that you donate only items from this list, as these are our highest priority needs. 

We are also accepting $25-50 gift cards to support families' needs for perishable items (pies, butter, turkeys, eggs, vegetables, etc.) that unfortunately we cannot provide through the pantry.

Donations can be taken to the 24-hour UMBC Campus Police Station or delivered contactlessly via our Amazon Wishlist. Please use the following contact info and address when ordering through Amazon:

Deveraux Smith

Retriever Essentials

Sherman Hall 205

University of Maryland Baltimore County

1000 Hilltop Circle

Baltimore, MD 21250

 Thank you so much!