Aura Zhao, a junior modern languages linguistics and intercultural communication major and president of the UMBC Overwatch Club, spent two semesters hoping to see an organization like the Overwatch Club. “I asked around campus and several people were interested,” said Zhao. “But no one was going to start the club.” Zhao decided to take matters into her own hands and create the club herself.

Overwatch is a multiplayer online shooter game that can be played on a PC and console. After reaching over 35 million players in October 2017, the popularity of the game has continued to grow steadily. Many colleges, including College Park and Florida State University, have an Overwatch club.

Although the Overwatch Club was founded recently, it held two major events during Fall 2017: a local tournament and a Jeopardy game. Prizes at these events included a new Overwatch account, stickers, key chains and cash. The club anticipates hosting two major events in the spring semester. The first spring event will be held at the end of February and the second will occur shortly before finals.

After a student attends three meetings, he or she officially becomes a club member. Only members are eligible to win prizes during major events.

The Overwatch Club welcomes players of all skill levels. “It’s a game for everyone,” Zhao says. At meetings, members discuss Overwatch lore, gameplay, news and related events.

In addition to various mini-games and events, the Overwatch Club plans to raise money for more prizes. There will be many local tournaments, trivia games and viewing parties in the near future.

By joining the Overwatch Club, students are eligible to compete in the Tespa Collegiate Series and win up to $7,000 in scholarship money. Students who are not interested in competing can watch the Overwatch League (OWL) or join the casual team, Underbark.

In fall 2017, the Overwatch Club’s competitive team, Overbark, ranked fourth out of 159 other college teams, even though Overbark was created shortly after the club was founded and only had a month to prepare for the tournament.

Overwatch Club members can communicate on a UMBC-specific Discord server (which is a messaging app similar to Skype). Outside of the weekly meetings, members post memes, use a voice channel to coordinate game tactics and hang out.

Some members of the club volunteer to coach players interested in improving their gameplay and communication. The Discord server has a channel for members to post videos of their gameplay. Coaches review posted videos and provide helpful feedback.

Club meetings are held from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Room 231 of the Information Technology and Engineering Building every Friday.

“We work hard, we play harder,” says Zhao.

Our Getting You into Indiana University (GU2IU) Program, a campus recruitment program for prospective underrepresented and minority students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.F.A. at Indiana University (IUB) Bloomington. The three-day event will be conducted on the IUB campus and begins Sunday, April 8, 2018, and ends on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. This is an all-expense paid trip for selected highly qualified applicants including airfare, lodging, and meals. Participants will learn more about IU’s Ph.D. and M.F.A. programs, research opportunities, and funding options. Additionally, participants will meet with faculty, staff and current graduate students, attend sessions on preparing competitive applications for graduate admission, explore campus cultural centers, and take a campus tour.

Our goal is to recruit the best and brightest to IU programs. Our target is 30-35 students to attend our recruitment event for spring 2018. GU2IU program participants must:

• Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Be sophomores, juniors, seniors, master’s level students in good academic standing; or, degreed professionals interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or MFA at Indiana University Bloomington.
• Complete a GU2IU spring 2018 application form requesting demographic information, educational interests, non-official transcripts and a personal essay.

The application deadline is February 16, 2018. Preference will be for faculty nominated participants in STEM (sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines and the social sciences.

To submit a nomination:

• Applicants, click HERE to apply
• Faculty, click HERE.

For additional information, visit http://graduate.indiana.edu/about/diversity/visit-iu.shtml. Please direct any questions to agep@indiana.edu or (812) 855-6752.

Dedicated UMBC colleagues across departments, colleges, and disciplines having been digging deep into "applied learning experiences" and what means at UMBC. This includes identifying stakeholders, criteria, and a definition:

A UMBC applied learning experience engages students in reflectively developing knowledge, attitudes, skills, and values in the traditional classroom setting or in contexts beyond the classroom. Applied learning experiences promote career readiness and responsible citizenship. 

Recognized applied learning experiences include service-learning, which can be secured through The Shriver Center’s 096 Community Service & Learning Practicum. Dr. Thomas Penniston, Shriver Peaceworker Fellow Program alumnus, successfully completed his doctoral program in Language, Literacy and Culture on the benefits of service-learning through qualitative and quantitative research. To learn more, go to https://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/engaged-scholarships/

At the beginning of the 3^rd week of the spring semester, some sites have filled, but others have great needs. With close to 70 community partners (the majority being youth-based sites), we are seeking UMBC students to help partners build capacity and move their respective missions.

HIGHEST NEEDS:

College Gardens - Wednesdays and Thursdays

SUCCESS - there are a number of openings - see the attachment

Walden Circle Community Center – Thursdays are a top priority; other days are welcomed (Monday-Friday, one day)!

Paid Leadership Position with afterschool program for current UMBC students at Walden Circle - Fridays, 2:30-6:30 pm   https://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/news/?id=73420

More sites across different issue areas can be found at https://umbc.app.box.com/file/268416756339

To set up a time to meet with Service-Learning Staff, either call (410) 455-2493 or stop by (M-F, 8:30am-5pm, 1st floor of the Public Policy Building, just past the elevator). Extended Hours “Goodnight Sarge” are available for the next three weeks, every Tuesday, 5-8pm:  TONIGHT (2/13), 2/20, and 2/27. Spring registration concludes by March 1^st.

The Service-Learning Team is working on our social media presence. Want to share your talents? Contact Kasey Venn at kasven1@umbc.edu.