Good morning everyone,

This is a reminder that today, starting at 7:00pm, we will be hosting our Nacho Movie Night fundraiser in Sherman Hall 003. We will be watching "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish". Our entry fee is $7, and with that you will be able to watch the movie and get a nacho bowl with the option to choose from toppings that are provided.

We’re seeking candidates for the following positions:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Vice President of Communications
• Vice President of Operations

If you don't know.. now you know!

Graduate students, start your day off right! Enjoy FREE breakfast and coffee with your fellow Grad Retrievers TODAY! Join us for good food and good company, you'll also have a chance to meet with your graduate school leadership! Today's Chic-fil-a breakfast is sponsored by The Graduate School. Food Available While Supplies Last.

The exhibit is all day, in the first floor hallway, Fine Arts Building. 

Thalia will be on-site to answer questions from 2-3pm.

URCAD is next Wednesday, April 16th!

“HUMANIZE”: Student-led Gallery Exhibition Exploring the Theme of Identity

Thalia Añora, curator
Mentor: Corrie Parks, Visual Arts

This student-led gallery exhibition explores the theme of identity through how art and creative expression can reflect, reclaim, or reinvent a person’s essence — their “humanness.” As students strive to excel in their scholarship and professional careers, they can’t help but feel the pressure of constantly performing. It feels like they lose little bits of themselves while navigating the ever-changing landscape before them, threatening burnout or apathy. From a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, this exhibition contains artwork created within the last three years by 12 undergraduate artists. Including, but not limited to, paintings (acrylic, oil, watercolor), textiles, photography, digital media, mixed media, and small sculptures. Each artwork is paired with a statement from the artist and curator, explaining how their work is reflective of the theme. While the exhibition is on display, students will have the opportunity to participate in open-mics and live performances. Inviting active collaboration towards a shared exhibition that everyone feels invested towards cultivated meaningful connection within our community. Through this multidisciplinary approach to amplify the diverse voices and expressions of our student body, we were able to celebrate our “humanness” as a reflection of our larger UMBC identity.

Hey Retrievers!

Alongside our Weekly Windows Meetings, we’re kicking off Linux GBMs!

Join us for the first session this Friday, April 11th from 11am-12pm in ILSB 301.

These meetings are a great way to get started with Linux, whether you’re just beginning or looking to strengthen your foundation.

On Friday, we’ll kick things off with Linux Users and Permissions basics, an essential building block for understanding how Linux systems manage access and control.

Don't forget to bring a laptop!

William Brooks
CyberDawgs President

Tomorrow we are hosting our Getting BIG Projects DONE seminar with Dr. Ramon Goings. Please join us on April 10, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ONLINE for a unique workshop to help you gain skills in getting big projects DONE. That's right: lit reviews, manuscripts, theses, proposals, dissertations - they take a long time, but with the right tools, they can take much less time. Graduate school (and the work you take on after graduate school) often involves long-term projects because the complex problems, ideas, and discoveries we tackle take time. So, how do you manage these projects well and make efficient progress? Dr. Ramon Goings is an associate professor and Acting Director of the Languages, Literature, and Culture doctoral program at UMBC. The author of 14 Secrets to a Done Dissertation, is here to help you navigate the process of finishing BIG work more quickly than you'd imagine. 

Please join us for this great opportunity on April 10, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.  

Women composers challenge social barriers in music!

UC Ballroom Lounge, 1:40-2:15pm

Taking Back The Piano

Ida Dierker
Mentor: Lisa Cella, Music

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the piano became a symbol of wealth and status, especially within middle and upper-class families. It was marketed to women, reinforcing traditional gender roles and confining them to domestic life. Piano playing, associated with femininity and refinement, was considered the most respectable instrument for women. Rather than fostering creativity, it was often used to control women’s emotions and entertain men, influencing their prospects for marriage. Despite these barriers, women composers like Maria Anna Marrinez, Lilli Boulanger, Clara Schumann, and Florence Price persevered, carving out careers in music composition. While many social barriers have lessened in the 21st century, female composers still face challenges. In response, more women are creating provocative pieces that incorporate diverse cultural styles, extended techniques, and social justice themes. Amplifying these voices is crucial for advancing women’s rights. For my project presentation, I will premiere a section from composer Hanna Moore’s piece “Piano is a Woman.” We will explore the evolution of female expression through the piano, the importance of amplifying lesser-known voices in music, and delve into Moore’s composition.

This work was funded, in part, through an Undergraduate Research Award from the UMBC Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.