Matthew 12:46-50 (NIV)

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Luke 14:25-27 (NIV)

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Reflection:

Family reunions are occasions for extended family members to get together usually for a meal, recreation and time together typically centered on sharing a common last name. These times can be annoying, boring or entertaining and our past experiences with family reunions can either carry bad memories or fond memories of these times. Regardless of our past experiences and expectations concerning family reunions, Jesus upends the family expectations and loyalties for a greater loyalty to God. Only in this true devotion to God and His family can we truly be free from the expectations and messiness of ‘earthly’ relationships. It is reunion with God that ultimately frees us to see family the way God does, and to free us to love them ‘God’s way’…not ‘the family way.’

Responding to the Transmission:

As God’s children, part of His family, we have been set free to love and care for family according to God’s way. In this new life we have in Christ, let’s spend time praying that true to devotion to God would strengthen and increase in us, and that we would freely love family even more with God’s heart according to His power and love that He abundantly provides.

Shady Grove Community Day  and it’s September 22^nd.   

Our theme is sustainability this year and we have lots of great events happening that anyone from 5-75 would enjoy. Mike Tidwell will be here, as well as Bethesda Green and other local “green” businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. 

The 2012 Maryland Cyber Challenge (MDC3) will be held this fall with qualification rounds in September and the finals at the Cyber-Maryland Conference in the Baltimore Convention Center on 16-17 October. MDC3 is a statewide cyber competition and conference designed to interest more students and young professionals in pursuing careers in cybersecurity. The goal of the Maryland Cyber Challenge is to help strengthen Maryland’s position as a cybersecurity leader by bringing teams of current and prospective cybersecurity professionals together to develop the skills and techniques needed to protect vital information systems. Founders of the event include SAIC, UMBC, the National Cyber Security Alliance, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, and the Tech Council of Maryland.

UMBC students who are interested in MDC3 or cybersecurity in general are encouraged to contact the UMBC Cyber Defense Team, aka the Cyberdawgs.

MDC3 team registration is now open for the 2012 challenge. Questions about the Cyber Challenge can be sent to Kelli-Ann Tucker (kelli-ann.tucker at saic.com).

Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Computer Scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee participated in the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony this evening. He was honored as the inventor of the World Wide Web, although the NBC commentators wondered who he was. As part of the ceremony, @timberners_lee tweeted: "This is for everyone #london2012 #oneweb #openingceremony @webfoundation @w3c".

7/28 update: Good catch by UMBC IS PhD student Hal Martin:  Tim Berners-Lee apparently used a ancient NeXT computer when entering his tweet at the Olympic Games opening ceremony.  He has used a NeXTcube at CERN to implement the first Web browser.

This week’s Huffington Post article “Owning Yes We Can” highlights the inspiring work of UMBC’s Student Government Association (SGA), which the authors call “a national model…of student organizing and empowerment.” They focus on SGA’s successful effort this spring to organize student opposition to state budget cuts that would have led to a dramatic tuition increase.

“Many would not have been able to stay in school with 15-20 percent increases in tuition expenses,” explained SGA member Meghan Carpenter. “I am so proud of what students from different organizations were able to start. We showed that students can make a change not just at our college, but in our state.”

Marking the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), yesterday Gov. Martin O’Malley announced the launch of SUCCESS, a four-year post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities. The Maryland Department of Disabilities and UMBC partnered to develop the program (press release).

An AP report on the announcement, which appeared in The Washington Post and on WBFF FOX45, noted that although students will not receive college credit, they will take a seminar with degree-seeking students, lead a service learning project, and intern at departments on UMBC’s campus.

The Baltimore Sun added that SUCCESS will begin with 6-8 students this fall and will be housed in UMBC’s Shriver Center, named for Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver and Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver.“The SUCCESS program is a natural outgrowth of the Shriver and Kennedy family values,” says Shriver Center Director Michele Wolff. “We want to fully integrate SUCCESS participants into all aspects of collegiate life.”

To UMBC’s alumni:

I am delighted to share the news that Freeman Hrabowski has been appointed by President Obama to chair the newly created President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. The announcement was made by the White House Thursday afternoon.

The Commission will advise President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan and will work closely with the newly formed White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.  The Commission will also lead a national dialogue – engaging the business, philanthropic, nonprofit, and education communities – on African American achievement from early childhood through adulthood.

UMBC’s success in educating students of all backgrounds continues to place us at the forefront of one of the key issues of our day, and I am sure you join me in congratulating Freeman on this honor.  Thank you again for everything you do to be supportive of UMBC.

Susan Emfinger
Assistant Vice President
Alumni & Development

To learn more about the role of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans, please visit the White House website.