Today's New York Times has a "Room for Debate" opinion piece, Computer Science's 'Sputnik Moment'?, on the recent surge in interest in computing majors on US campuses. It asks "Will the influx of students into the field last, and can it raise American educational achievement along the way?" and features eight short essays incuding one by UMBC Professor of Sociology Zeynep Tufekci.

"Computer science is a hot major again. It had been in the doldrums after the dot-com bust a decade ago, but with the social media gold rush and the success of "The Social Network," computer science departments are transforming themselves to meet the demand. At Harvard, the size of the introductory computer science class has nearly quadrupled in five years.

The spike has raised hopes of a ripple effect throughout the American education system — so much so that Mehran Sahami, the associate chairman for computer science at Stanford, can envision "a national call, a Sputnik moment."

What would a "Sputnik moment" entail today? Will the surge of students into computer science last, and could it help raise American educational achievement?"

This complements the NYT article from last weekend, Computer Studies Made Cool, on Film and Now on Campus, about rising computer science enrollments.

” When Keila Fong arrived at Yale, she had never given much thought to computer science. But then last year everyone on campus started talking about the film “The Social Network,” and she began to imagine herself building something and starting a business that maybe, just maybe, could become the next Facebook.

“It’s become very glamorous to become the next Mark Zuckerberg, and everyone likes to think they have some great idea,” said Ms. Fong, a junior, who has since decided to major in Yale’s newly energized computer science program.

Three long-time members of the CSEE community retired at the end of the Spring 2011 semester: Professor Sue Evans, Senior Lecturer, has taught Computer Science 201 since she began her teaching career at UMBC in 1997. Dr. John Pinkston, Professor, also came to UMBC in 1997 and served as the first Chair of the newly combined Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department for seven years. Donna Myers, Business Services Specialist for the Computer Science Department, has kept CSEE payroll in order since she joineed the staff in 2001. These three invaluable members of the CSEE Faculty and Staff will be missed and the CSEE Department extends its congratulations and wishes for relaxing and fulfilling futures.  You can read more about their contributions and future plans here. 

1 Kings 19:9-18

⁹ There he went into a cave and spent the night.

And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

¹¹ The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

¹⁴ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

¹⁵ The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. ¹⁶ Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. ¹⁷ Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. ¹⁸ Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Reflection:

We find Elijah deeply discouraged as he feels he is the only prophet or servant of God left.  However, Elijah is shown by the Lord that God preserves and reserves His people.  The feeling of being alone quickly turns to the realization that God has preserved His people.

Similarly in our lives, we might also feel discouraged when we don’t see the kind of fruit or responses we would like. Feelings of discouragement or frustration might lead us to feel that we’re alone - that no one else feels what we feel; agonizes the same way we do; struggles as we do. But let God’s word come and free us into the truth.  We’re not in it alone because God preserves and reserves His people.

Response:

Whatever discouragement or frustration we might have, let’s bring them to the Lord.  Let’s receive and be restored to the truth that we do not go alone.  God has preserved and reserved His people to serve together.  Let’s quickly be reminded that God called us to be His people and called us to be a part of His church.  His people are in it together.

Former UMBC track and field standout Cleopatra Borel-Brown ’02, interdisciplinary studies, is preparing to compete in the 2011 World Track and Field Championships, to be held in August in Daegu, South Korea.

Borel-Brown, an assistant coach at Morgan State University, has competed in the shot put event at two summer Olympics.

Read the full story here.

I love experiencing a culture through its food.  Thai cuisine is no exception.  Since 2003, I have fallen in love with thai flavors and spices; I was lucky enough to have a small Thai restaurant open up near my house that was within walking distance.  8 years later, I have discovered a Thai restaurant, Thai Heaven, 5 minutes away from campus!  I was able to go with my childhood friend today, and I have pictures and recommendations for the next time you are craving Thai!

Chicken Satay

Chicken Satay: $6- for 5 chicken skewers (clearly, we were pretty hungry haha), you get this awesome appetizer!  Infused with curry and paired with 2 slices of toast, a delicious peanut dipping sauce and a cucumber salad, this appetizer is a definite crowd pleaser for those trying Thai cuisine for the first time.

Lunch Special with Chicken

#46 Lunch Special with Chicken $6.25: This was my delicious (and affordable) lunch choice.  If you like spicy, go ahead and get this.  Stir fried chicken, green beans, onions, thai basil, and thai chilis, this dish was SO good and SO satisfying.

Drunken Noodles

#68 Lunch Special with Chicken $6.25: My friend’s pick. Drunken noodles — a Thai staple.  Another great beginner-Thai cuisine dish.  Also fairly spicy!  Really delicious and satisfying.

Overall, Thai Heaven is an amazing lunch/dinner spot for UMBC students and local Catonsville residents.  Great prices, great food, great personalities—the owners of this place are hysterical.  If you need a great laugh, come to Thai Heaven:  6413 Fredrick Rd., Baltimore, MD 21202 - (410) 455-9239