Alumnus musician “Leify Green” (Leif Huber) ’10, economics and modern languages & linguistics, will play a concert in Washington, D.C., next month to support Amnesty International. The Leify Green Conspiracy will play at Axum’s Lounge on October 12.

For more information about the event, click here.

The concert will specifically support the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and the
General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union’s (GAPWUZ) work to support
the civil and human rights of all Zimbabweans through grassroots activism.

“I believe in supporting human rights and those who struggle to defend them,” said Green. “That belief was a major influence in my decision to study Economics and Modern Languages in Cultures at UMBC, where I focused largely on economic development, particularly in Latin America. I am proud to play in support of Amnesty International and excited that my music is being used to further a cause I believe in.”

Since 2010, The Leify Green Conspiracy has independently released an EP, Give
Me A Push (recorded in UMBC’s own studios), that has sold over 1,000
copies. The band also includes former UMBC student Luke Solomon. Green has toured the United States extensively as a solo act. His latest single, Sweet On The Phone, will be available on iTunes and other digital stores on October 8th. For more information about the band, click here.

Courtesy of CollegeStats.org

Are you registered to vote?

With the election 41 days away and voter registration deadlines are quickly approaching. Colleges and GOTV organizations are hard at work trying to register and inform potential voters.

Today is National Voter Registration day but what does that mean for the college voter?

 Gallop poll results from July of this state that only

fifty-eight percent of  U.S. registered voters aged 18 to 29 say they will “definitely vote” this fall, well below the current national average of 78%.

This suggests that there will be a lower turnout in this election than in 2008. But why? Casting a ballot is closely related to the same motivational factors that stimulate older voters, as well as to mobilization by the parties.

College students are concerned about the economy and the job market after graduation just as much as the rest of the nation. Plus, there will be an additional 16.8 million young people who will be eligible to vote in this election than in 2008.

 A study by The Center For Information & Research on Civil Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) notes that “ young people who are enrolled in college are more likely to vote than the national youth average. College students are highly likely to turn out to vote if they are registered”.

 Regardless of your political position, college is the time where you are free to develop your political identity and invest in learning about how we can more effectively govern our nation on a state and federal level. With all the rhetoric and confusion about Voter ID, healthcare and other issues, it is important to get the facts and register before state deadlines.

Wanna find out more?

Go to http://www.rockthevote.org/

Isaiah 56:1-8 (NIV)

This is what the Lord says:

“Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”

Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say,
“The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.”
And let no eunuch complain,
“I am only a dry tree.”

For this is what the Lord says:

“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant—

to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will endure forever.
And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”
The Sovereign Lord declares—
he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather still others to them
besides those already gathered.”

Reflection

The life changing difference between essence and form – most of Israel could not understand it. They were so stuck on self-righteously keeping rules and keeping others out of being God’s people, that they couldn’t understand the essence of faith – living in the sufficiency of God’s grace and mercy, experiencing His love and living in His presence for Him. And here, Isaiah declares a divine decree of radical change – “eunuchs and foreigners” who were outcasts and excluded by law will now have a place in God’s house of prayer. This points to the incredible truth that God invites all to receive and experience true hope and love and salvation that can only be found when we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. This invitation is for us to experience this every day and to share this blessing with others through the power of His presence with us, by the Holy Spirit.

Response

Let’s walk into the invitation daily and share the blessing we have. Let’s thank God for including us in His people.  And let’s pray for those who are yet to be gathered - those God is giving our church and churches to minister to.

UMBC's Student Social Work Association Receives Award for Outstanding Student Organization

The Office of Student and Academic Services (SAS) at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) celebrated more than 170 outstanding student leaders at USG during the second annual Student Leadership Luncheon on April 25th. Student leadership was celebrated across five categories: orientation leaders, student ambassadors, Guided Study Sessions (GSS) leaders, writing fellows, and student clubs & organizations.

Students were recognized for their continued and exceptional service to fellow students on the USG campus, and the community at large, during the 2011 - 2012 academic year. Forty of the 170 student leaders were involved in more than one role.

During the luncheon, Dr. Stewart Edelstein addressed the audience of more than 100 student leaders, faculty, and staff, emphasizing the important role that the leadership experience plays in student lives at USG. He highlighted the concept of “servant leadership”, a philosophy that focuses on serving others through leadership.

Prof. Judy Streeter, program director for the Hotel and Restaurant Management program with UMES, was recognized with an award for outstanding support of USG student leaders, honoring her many efforts in creating leadership opportunities for her students on campus as well as with various community partners.

In each of the five leadership categories, one individual student or student group received an award for outstanding service:

Merab Okeyo, a graduating senior with the University of Baltimore, School of Nursing, received the award for the outstanding GSS leader of the academic year 2011-2012. GSS leaders are seniors or 2nd semester juniors who facilitate guided study sessions every week for pre-selected courses. Having been successful in the class themselves, these leaders create a collaborative learning environment and stress not just what to learn, but how to learn it. Merab has served as a GSS leader since her 2nd junior year for three different courses in the nursing curriculum and has stepped in whenever needed to assist another student with any nursing related questions.

Charles Bolton, a graduating senior with the Biological Sciences program, University of Maryland, College Park, was selected as the outstanding student ambassador. Student ambassadors represent their home institution and USG at recruiting events such as open houses, give tours to campus visitors and prospective students, and serve as the face of USG on various other occasions. Among the 20 ambassadors, Charles stood out because of his high level of professionalism, his flexibility, and his superb communication skills.

Nicole “Niki” Brush, a graduating senior with the Psychology program, UMBC, received the award for the outstanding writing fellow. Writing fellows are trained undergraduate peer writing tutors who work with students in discipline specific, writing-intensive courses and provide feedback on the structure and content of paper drafts. Niki has been a member of the planning group for a collaborative project with Montgomery College that focused on understanding the transition experience of transfer students in the area of writing in the disciplines since summer 2011. She has recruited many of her peers as writing fellows for the program in addition to being a fellow herself.

Carla Gott, a graduating senior with the Social Work program, UMBC, was selected as the outstanding orientation leader for the 2011-2012 academic year. Orientation leaders play an important role in supporting new students at USG in their transition to the new environment. Carla has always been willing to help out, has welcomed new students with great energy, and has encouraged them to get involved on campus. She is also a member of the Student Event Board and the Social Work Student Association and has been a writing fellow for two different writing-intensive classes at USG.

The Social Work Student Association (SWSA), UMBC, was selected as the outstanding student club & organization of the year out of 29 active students club and organization at USG. SWSA aims to promote interest in social work and social issues and has organized numerous service opportunities to benefit local communities, social work students, and the USG community.

In addition, all eight voting members of the USG Student Council were recognized for their tireless and continued work on behalf of all students at USG. The Student Council serves as a student advocacy and advisory group and identifies and engages in activities that enhance the student experience and are supportive of the USG community at large.

The celebration was catered by students in the Hotel and Restaurant Management program with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).