Constantine Vaporis, director of the Asian studies program and professor of history, is a consultant and writer for a new exhibit at the National Geographic Museum entitled “Samurai: The Warrior Transformed,” which opens March 7 and runs through September 3.

The exhibition was planned to coincide with and D.C.’s annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, which this year marks the 100th anniversary of the gift of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C. by the government of Japan

In the video below, Vaporis answers the question, “What do samurai have to do with cherry blossoms?”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUCayZlvvdU&w=560&h=315]

The Maryland Senate this week followed the Maryland House of Delegates in passing legislation allowing same-sex marriage, but opponents are planning a voter referendum. In the Gazette’s coverage of the issue, UMBC professor and chair of public policy Donald Norris argues that the referendum vote might depend on who is nominated as the GOP presidential candidate — a more extreme or more centrist candidate — and who comes out to vote as a result. Either way, says Norris, “It’s going to be a squeaker.”

UMBC assistant professor of political science Laura Hussey also offered her comments for the article, as well as another story on what remains for the current legislative session. She suggests that in this session bills dealing with the death penalty and firearms will likely get less attention than bills dealing with fiscal issues due to the economic climate.

“Lin case you hadn’t noticed, people have become Lin-fatuated with the Lin-spiring rags-to-riches story of New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin. He’s a regular Linternet phenomenon!” begins a story on msnbc.com’s “The Body Odd.”

The appeal of puns such as the one’s inspired by Lin’e name may be that they’re fun to create, and they can seem almost addictive because they have clever elements and insights to them. But not everyone likes them.

“Puns are considered the lowest form of humor — a reason why speakers say, ‘no pun intended,’ denying responsibility for their spontaneous e-joke-ulation,” said Robert Provine, professor of psychology.

The story, “Our Lin-sane attraction to terrible puns, explained,” appeared on the site on February 24.

UMBC political science professor Thomas Schaller will appear on MSNBC’s “Up w/Chris Hayes” on Saturday, February 25. The morning show airs 8:00-10:00 a.m. Schaller frequently comments on national politics in his regular Baltimore Sun column, on Salon and through programs such as Current TV’s “The Young Turks.” He is the author of Whistling Past Dixie.

We’re pleased to announce that UMBC’s giving site, Giving to UMBC, has been recognized by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

The site, which won a 2012 Region II silver medal in the Website: Fundraising/Development category, went live in fall 2010 and features a Tumblr account that clues you to daily campus happenings, a new blog on giving, donor and student stories, and plenty of chances to learn about the effects of philanthropy. You can even share your own giving experiences with the world.

The latest issue of UMBC Magazine features a nice little piece about the win. Read the full story here.

On Friday, February 24, Symmes Gardner, executive director of the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC), addressed the Maryland House of Delegates as a special speaker on Black History Month. His presentation featured images of the CADVC’s major touring exhibition, For All the World to See, organized in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and now on display at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Among the delegates attending the presentation were Speaker of the House Michael Busch and Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones (’76 psychology). In his remarks, Mr. Gardner emphasized the importance of the Maryland State Arts Council, which provided significant funding for For All the World to See.

Jill Scheibler, a psychology doctoral student, was featured in a Baltimore Sun story about Baltimore’s Make Studio, which offers a place for developmentally challenged men and women to develop and market their artistic skills.

Scheibler is one of a trio of art therapists who founded Make Studio in 2010. The studio serves artists with disabilities such as autism, bipolar disorder and Down’s syndrome.

“Through the process of working at the studio and working with others, they’re developing translatable skills,” she said. “They learn about time management, how to be cooperative, how to present themselves, how to market themselves.”

The story, “Make Studio offers platform for artists with disabilities” appeared in the Baltimore Sun on February 23.