Philanthropy is an extremely personal act. We all give in different ways, and for very different reasons.

Many of us give back by writing a check to a favorite program, providing an immediate (and, often, necessary) infusion of funds. Some of us also volunteer time to the organizations that mean the most to us. And, many times, we give as members of groups — interactions that bind and strengthen our communities.

It is in this spirit that UMBC has launched BreakingGround, “a campus-wide initiative to embed opportunities for civic learning and collaborative problem-solving even more broadly and deeply in our curriculum and co-curricular activities.” Already, stories of new partnerships and programs designed to make UMBC — and, ultimately, the world — a better place are streaming onto the BreakingGround site.

For students learning how best to shape their world, BreakingGround is terrific way to inspire good work, and to frame and measure successes. It is also an excellent showcase of the many ways we, as members of the UMBC community, can put the philosophy of philanthropy to work in ways both fun and fulfilling.

In an op-ed published in this week’s Baltimore Sun, co-authors SGA president Kaylesh Ramu and David Hoffman, assistant director of student life for civic agency at UMBC, share a vision of civic engagement that invites students — and the community surrounding them — to think creatively about how they can improve UMBC, and beyond:

UMBC has received so much attention because our culture and practices make creativity, innovation, appreciation for diverse perspectives and talents, and public impact central to our identity. We take pride in our scrappy, can-do spirit, celebrating entrepreneurs, boundary-busters and problem-solvers in every field.

We look forward to seeing how UMBC’s students, faculty, staff and alumni use BreakingGround as a springboard for community-based philanthropy, and we will share the most interesting stories from these efforts throughout the year.

Kimberly Moffitt, assistant professor of American studies, discussed the Democratic National Convention on WYPR’s “Midday with Dan Rodricks” on Wednesday, September 5.  A central question of the hour was the way that both sides are trying to appeal to undecided voters, and whether those appeals are working.

“Working class and middle class individuals aren’t relating to [the message of the Republican party] at all,” Moffitt said, pointing out that the Democratic party is presenting itself as inclusive at its convention.

The full conversation can be heard here.

Ellen Hemmerly and Kent Malwitz were quoted in the September 7, Baltimore Business Journal in an article written by Jack Lambert, Cyber security attracts attention (and cash) from venture capitalists.

Lambert writes, “Cyber security is big business in Maryland. The state’s proximity to federal agencies in Washington, D.C., as well as nearby government contractors such as Northrop Grumman Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp., has led to significant government investment in companies that can protect confidential data.”

Lambert goes on to write about his conversation with Hemmerly and Malwitz,

“The commercialization of cyber security products helped encourage investment, said Ellen Hemmerly, executive director of the UMBC bwtech Research and Technology Park. Companies developing new products for mobile devices like tablets and smartphones need to be protected, she said. And venture firms want to get in on the ground floor.

“We are seeing more and more folks trying to create a way to solve those cyber security issues,” Hemmerly said. “[Venture capital] money is agnostic. They are going to look where there is the business opportunities.”

Students and startups are taking advantage of those opportunities. Twenty-two cyber security companies are part of UMBC’S incubator and accelerator program in 2012, whereas only six companies were in the program when it began in March 2011.

Colleges and universities are seeing increased cyber security interest at the undergraduate level as well. UMBC taught 84 cyber security courses in 2011 compared to 70 courses in 2010, said Kent E. Malwitz, president of the UMBC training centers. The University of Maryland’s Cybersecurity Center has seen double the number of computer science and computer engineering majors over the last five to seven years, said Eric Chapman, the program’s deputy director.”