(by Dinah Winnick)

The American Indian Student Union (AISU) at the University of Virginia is cooking up a controversy

The students are staging an “Anti-Thanksgiving” potluck where students will “share free food.”

The goal of this potluck is to discuss the myth between Thanksgiving and what actually happened to Native Americans during this time.

Students on campus became upset with protest. One student, Nicole Bailey, Executive-in-Chief, The Virginia Advocate stated

“They think that doing events that put down what people understand to be modern Americans’ realization of the American dream and American story is a way to raise awareness about the less glamorous parts of America’s history,”

“That’s frankly not true.”

According to the AISU’s constitution, their primary mission is to

 “increase awareness of the American Indian community on Grounds, holds cultural events relating to American Indians, and provide an organization where all students and community members can gather to explore Native American heritage and identity.

What do you think about an “Anti-Thanksgiving” dinner? 

MALARIA FACTS

• Of the 300-500 million clinical cases of malaria that occur globally each year, 90 percent of them are in Africa. 
    
• Malaria is endemic in more than 90 countries. 
    
• Forty percent of the world population is at risk for malaria. 
    
• Ten percent of world population gets sick each year with malaria.

DEATH BY MALARIA

• Number of fatal cases of malaria each year: over 1 million
    
• Most common age at death: 4 years 
    
• Every 30 seconds, a child dies of malaria
    
• Five percent of African children are killed by malaria, almost 3,000 each day, or the equivalent of seven jumbo jets full of children crashing every day. 
    
• Up to 23 percent of African infants are born with the malaria parasite.

Name: Savita Moses ’13
Major:  Information Systems
Scholarship: Alumni Association Scholarship

Q:  Why did you decide to come to UMBC?
A:  I was a part of a Pre-College Program offered by University of Maryland, College Park and we went on many college tours throughout the area. UMBC was one of the places we visited and toured. I fell in love with the campus as soon as I stepped onto it; I felt right at home. I had some friends that went here, so I began researching the university and talking to them about it. It seemed like everything I wanted in a college and so I made the decision to come here. I haven’t regretted my decision at all. My experience at UMBC has been outstanding.

Q:  What has been the most amazing discovery you’ve made so far as a student here?
A:  I have had numerous opportunities to develop and practice my leadership skills through extracurricular activities, through course team-based projects, and through internships that I have received via UMBC. Through various activities that I have participated in within those aspects, I have made the discovery of the outgoing, effective, and engaging leader I can be.

Q:  Tell us about a class or club that has really opened your mind (and why).
A:  Being heavily involved in the Student Government Association (SGA) during the first few years of my college experience was eye-opening. I got the first-hand opportunity to see and be a part of the impact that students can have on their campus. UMBC truly encourages civic engagement and encourages students to believe that they can make a difference. Realizing this dramatically increased my respect and involvement at UMBC.

Q:  What do you hope to do after graduation, and why?
A:  I hope to complete my Master’s degree in Information Systems and work full time for a well known company/agency. I want to pursue a Master’s degree because it fits my goal of being a life-long learner. I desire to build my knowledge and be the best person I can be. Pursuing a Master’s degree would help me do just that. I want to work for a well known company so that I can positively contribute to the society I live in. I’d love to use my experiences and my knowledge for the betterment of society and I’d love the opportunity to continue my growth and development in the
company that I work for.

Q:  What would you say to the alumni who contributed to your scholarship?
A:  I want to say THANK YOU!!!! Your financial contributions have not gone unnoticed. Paying for college can be and has been difficult, especially in the current state of the economy. I am extremely, extremely grateful for your assistance in furthering my education at this wonderful university. Again, THANK YOU! I would hug the contributors if I could.

A free screening of the new film Codebreaker will be shown on Thursday, November 29 at 5:30pm in Hodson Auditorium at johns Hopkins University. The screening will be followed by a reception and question and answer session with the film's executive producer, Patrick Sammon.

Codebreaker tells the remarkable and tragic story of one of the 20th century's most important people. Alan Turing set in motion the digital revolution and his World War II codebreaking helped turn the tide of war. This maverick British genius is one of the most important scientists ever, yet few people have heard his name, know his story, or understand his legacy. Historians say by breaking the Nazis' Naval Enigma code, Turing helped shorten the Second World War by two years, saving millions of lives. As the founding father of computer science and artificial intelligence, Alan Turing envisioned our digital world long before anyone else. Built on a solid historical foundation of true events, Turing is our storyteller as he defiantly searches for answers. Documentary elements seamlessly interconnect with drama scenes to offer a three dimensional picture of Turing, his accomplishments, his tragic end, and his lasting legacy. (Running time 81 minutes). Learn more about Codebreaker and view a two-minute trailer at www.turingfilm.com.