Join us in welcoming our summer sustainability fellows!

These UMBC students and recent graduates will be working on campus through the summer of 2013 to develop campus outreach efforts through strategic communciations, web design, marketing, and leadership development.

This well rounded group just started their positions last week but has given a great deal of thought and energy to how sustainability can be recognized, celebrated, and how we can foster community engagement in this important topic!

Jack Neumeier, Jack Neumeier, Health Admnistration and Policy, Class of 2015

Through Student Government, Jack has engaged all issues sustainability through the lens of civic agency: how do we as an institution empower students, and then channel that racous energy towards the stewardship of our Earth? Concerned with the issue of food security in Baltimore city, Jack has worked to establish community gaden initiatives through UMBC in order to create a stronger connection between students who want to address social change and the communities they're working to partner with.

Laura Bartock, Environmental Science, BS; Media and Communication Studies, BA; Pursing MS in Environmental Communication and Participatory Processess, Class of 2013

Laura has worked in a variety of environmental education settings, including in zoos and on sailboats, and is now focused on figuring out how to involve stakeholders in environmental decision-making. Laura has a strong science background as well as a background in communications, which helps her work with and between scientists and non-scientists.

 Garrett Hopkins, Environmental Science with a GIS Certificate, Class of 2014

Garrett has spent the last year learning about mapping techniques within ArcMap, and ArcCatalog, and learning more about weather. He feels these two fields complement each other well, and help display information to a general populus.

David Veckt, Environmental & Political Science, Class of 2015

David devotes himself to keeping up to date on politics and environmental policies around the world. He is passionate about urban sustainability, knowledge of green technologies, and water management. He plans on being involved in the political environmental sphere.

St. Mary's Chamber holds annual dinner meeting

Leonardtown, MD - 6/13/2013

By Dick Myers

The St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Meeting featured the passing of the leadership baton and the handing out of prestigious awards. The event was held for the second year in a row at the social hall of the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department.

The organization’s new president for the next year is Kim Oliver of Amelex, who succeeds Kenneth “Buzz” Shelley of Wyle. Before the changing of the guard, Shelley presented the organization’s Annual report to members and handed out several awards.

Robin Finnacom, president of the Community Development Corporation received the 2013 Public Servant Award and Chamber Business Person of the Year Award went to Tom Jarboe of Technology Security Associates, Inc. Neither recipient knew they were receiving the award prior to the announcement.

In presenting the 2013 Public Servant Award to Finnacom, Shelley said: “This year’s recipient of the Public Servant Award is well known in St. Mary’s County and especially Lexington Park. An employee of St. Mary’s County Government since 2000. Originally hired to direct the Lexington Park Plan our recipient has worked in the Department of Economic & Community Development since 2002 and has served as the President of the St. Mary’s County Community Development Corporation since 2004. As part of the Economic & Community Development Department she managed the Lexington Manor acquisition, relocation and demolition project which represented the single largest CDBG grant to a local government in the history of the State’s Program. In her dual role she has worked to develop and implement strategies for the economic stabilization and revitalization of Lexington Park. Her efforts in the commercial area have included operating the Revolving Loan Fund, establishing the Focus Enterprise Zone, and strategic demolition projects. The Enterprise Zone efforts produced tax incentives related to 1,700 new jobs and capital investments totaling $23.7 million. She facilitated a $7.2 million roadway, sewer and water reconstruction project for a 1.4 mile section of Great Mills Road. Together with the Small Business Technology Development Center our recipient worked to establish retail and service start-ups and expansions in Lexington Park. Through the “Jobs Connection Program” training and assistance were provided for welfare to work clients in order to provide employees for local businesses as well as employment for residents. She established and provides support for the Lexington Park Business & Community Association. Throughout her tenure the Chamber has been able to count on her participation and support in dealing with a number of topics handled through Task Forces or committees managed by our Organization. For her efforts in the area of Economic and Community Development with a keen awareness of the needs and requirements of the business community, we are pleased to present the 2013 Public Servant Award to Robin Finnacom.”

In presenting the 2013 Business Person of the Year Award to Jarboe, Shelley said: “The criteria for the selection of the recipient of this Award include success in their profession, involvement in the community, personal attributes, and equally important is their support of our Chamber. This year’s recipient has displayed very strong credentials in each of these categories. This active member of our Chamber, this person has established themself as a leader in a profession that has and is experiencing unusual challenges. But even when these challenges were not so apparent, they have constantly been working to look for new ways of doing things, and new opportunities for their business.  Even in trying times, they have shown leadership in working with and serving our veteran community. Within their industry they are not only recognized for their talent, but trusted. This person is truly rooted in family and community. Anyone who knows this person has seen the family dynamic of an involved parent with a keen interest in and support of education. They actively support educational institutions and organizations at all levels. Their involvement and support also extends to a wide range of projects and programs to enrich the lives of people and strengthen our community.  Our own organization can speak first-hand about the Leadership of this individual. As a member they have been actively supporting the Chamber’s programming and community endeavors. As Board member they provided insight and brought their professional and community expertise to every discussion. St. Mary’s County is very fortunate to have business leaders who not only care about their business and employees but their community as well. This year’s honoree not only meets, but exceeds the standards set when the Chamber established this award almost 30 years ago.

• “Managing an increasingly challenging business with a demonstrated commitment to clients and employees as well.
•  “Grounded in their family responsibilities.

• “Committed to providing community leadership while fostering the development of future leaders.
•  “Supporting the business community through their active participation in the Chamber and other organizations. 

“It’s no wonder that this person was nominated and ultimately selected for this award.

“Ladies and gentlemen it is truly my pleasure to present the 2013 Business Person of the Year Award to Tom Jarboe.”

Other recognitions were presented during the meeting, including::

·        2013 Ambassador of the Year – Jennifer Misner of TownePlace Suites by Marriott.

·        Scholarship recipients – Alyssa Yochim from Leonardtown High School

                                        Emma Holmes from Great Mills High School

·        Plaque presented to 2012-13 Board Chair Buzz Shelley by 2013-14 Chair Kim Oliver

In his remarks Shelley said the organization had “an enthusiastic, stable membership.” He said most Chambers in the state had lost members during the trying economic times of the last few years, yet the St. Mary’s membership had held steady.

Among the accomplishments of the past year, Shelley mentioned the Taste of St. Mary’s, State of St. Mary’s County and State of Public Schools luncheons, the Legislative Breakfast, the Business Showcase and forums on the Affordable Care Act and the local economy.

Shelley praised the work of the chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “The business point of view must be part of the legislative and governmental process,” he said.

Shelley singled out the hard work of Chamber Executive Director Bill Scarafia and his staff. “They certainly are my heroes. I could not have done it without them,” he said.

Two upcoming events for the Chamber are its annual golf tournament on Tuesday, June 18 at Wicomico Shores and the Taste of St. Mary’s on the square in Leonardtown on September 15.

Between You and Me, an exhibition by Coordinator/Producer of the New Media Studio, Christine Ferrera ’10 M.F.A., Imaging and Digital Arts, opens Friday, June 21, at 8 p.m. at the Gibbs Street Gallery in Rockville, Maryland.

According to Rockville’s VisArts website, Between You and Me is a collection of performance pieces “that circuitously contemplate art, humor and feminism. Each piece uses personal monologue as a vehicle to explore longing, insecurity, narcissism and enlightenment. By counter-posing live and recorded performance, satire and sincerity, the artist either transcends her angst or winds up in a self-reflexive tangle.”

The works include Starbux Diary; Awkward Pauzez the Digital Comic, a stand-up comedy act with computer generated punchlines; Google Art Video, a performance featuring the strange encounters of two women drifting through cyberspace receiving mystical clues and the inspiration to create, and Stellar Cellar, a journey through a woman’s subconsciousness under the guise of a radio show discussion about wine. Read the complete descriptions of the works on the event poster.

This event is free and open to the public, and continues through July 7. Performances of the works are scheduled through June on the 22nd, 23rd, 28th and 29th. A free opening reception will be held on the 28th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

In a final goodwill gesture to the Catonsville community, the recently disbanded Woman’s Club of Catonsville has donated $25,000 to establish a new endowment at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

In memory of 80 years of service to the Catonsville community, The Women’s Club of Catonsville Memorial Scholarship rewards UMBC students returning for their sophomore year and having maintained a 3.5 GPA, or higher. Preference will be given to candidates who have attended a public or private high school in the Catonsville area.

“The club has a strong history of putting money back into the Catonsville community,” said Paula Ray, former treasurer for the club. “UMBC has a very good reputation, and we are fortunate to have to such a fine institution in our back yard.”

Besides following the tradition of the Women’s Club, Ms. Ray says the donation was also a great way to memorialize the legacy of the club. “We really wanted a lasting endowment that the club would be remembered for.”

Most scholarships focus on the newly enrolled, but the members of the club wanted to highlight those students returning to campus to continue their studies. “The club wanted to see the money go to someone who had finished their first year, and done well,” said Ray.

UMBC plans to offer the scholarship to students beginning in fall 2014.

When Dr. Shlomo Carmi – former Dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology and professor of mechanical engineering – retired from UMBC this semester, he and his wife Rachel decided to give back to the university that has been such a big part of their lives for so many years.

Watch the video to learn more about why the Carmis give to UMBC.