Danylo Leshchyshyn

Degree: B.A., History and Political Science (certificate in Security Studies)
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Plans: M.A. in History, University of Toronto

“The most valuable part of my UMBC experience has been learning that I can succeed at what I do—not only that I can succeed academically, but that I can succeed in the social aspects that I struggled with in high school. I can build meaningful relationships. I can even be president of a club. I can do whatever I set my mind to.”

Danylo Leshchyshyn ‘22, history and political science, came to UMBC hoping to receive the support he would need to succeed. He found it in the form of friendly staff members with Student Disability Services, and in strong connections he formed with other students. He remembers “life changing conversations, which I will be forever grateful for” with friends in the Humanities Scholars Living Learning Community. He also found a path to involvement in campus life through a mythology-themed Dungeons and Dragons campaign organized by the Ancient Studies Council of Majors. 

Leshchyshyn quickly became a supportive community-builder in his own right. He helped revive UMBC’s chapter of Delta Alpha Pi, a national honor society for high-achieving students with disabilities. He also co-founded the Autism Spectrum Student Association and actively participated in several other organizations.

Leshchyshyn’s grandparents came to North America from Ukraine after WWII. He is a fluent Ukrainian speaker and still has relatives living in Ukraine.

In the months since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor, he has connected with others at UMBC who have Ukrainian connections and spoken at a campus program, “Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Historical, Political, and Personal Perspectives.” He plans to pursue a master’s degree in history at the University of Toronto, focusing on Ukraine and Eastern Europe.

Story written by David Hoffman, Ph.D. ’13, language, literacy, and culture (LLC), director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and Romy Hübler ’09, modern languages and linguistics, M.A. ’11, intercultural communication, Ph.D. ’15, LLC, assistant director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life.

For the third consecutive season, UMBC softball reigns as the America East champions. Sweeping all three tournament games, the Retrievers held their opponents scoreless becoming the first team in America East history to achieve this milestone. After defeating Binghamton in the first round of the tournament on May 12, the Retrievers went on to defeat UAlbany in the final two games.

“It never gets old,” said head coach Chris Kuhlmeyer of the title.  “A three-peat is an insanely hard thing to do. Just the accomplishments that these ladies have achieved this year, the team ball they played, it means everything to me and the coaching staff and I couldn’t be prouder of them.” Leading by example, Kuhlmeyer was named Coach of the Year for the second year. 

With titles in 2019, 2021, and 2022, UMBC is the first team to win three consecutive crowns since UAlbany in 2006-2008. (No championship was held in 2020, due to COVID-19.) The Retrievers will travel to Durham, North Carolina to take on No.12 Duke on Friday, May 20, at 2:30 p.m. for the first round of NCAA tournament play. The other two teams in the double-elimination, four-team pod are Liberty University and University of Georgia. Retriever fans can catch all the action on ESPN+ and on Twitter.

Honors on and off the softball field

Courtney Coppersmith ’22, biochemistry and molecular biology, has been shattering records since she started her athletic career at UMBC. Coppersmith earned victories in all three tournament games, allowing just two hits in 16 innings. Keeping with the three-peat theme, Coppersmith was named America East Pitcher of the Year for the third consecutive year. She’s just the second player in conference history to snag the award three times.

“Every time you come out on the field, you never know when it’s going to be your last time,” said Coppersmith of the team’s mindset. “So let’s go out, have some fun, (and) play the game that we know how to play.”

Coppersmith was also named to the 2021-22 Academic All-District® Softball Team, selected by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). In addition, she earned her second tournament Most Outstanding Player Award, repeating her 2019 accolade. She is the fifth player in America East history to win multiple M.O.P honors. 

Karly Keating ’22, media and communication studies, earned All-Tournament Team honors, alongside teammates Logan Hawker ’22, mechanical engineering, and Ashley Della Guardia ’24, undergraduate studies.

“Winning is an amazing feeling, especially a three-peat. We’re a talented team and we deserve it. And it’s super exciting to be able to travel and compete in the NCAA tournament,” said Keating. 

Story by Kait McCaffrey and UMBC Athletics.