October 2-8 is Mental Illness Awareness Week. MIAW is a time to learn about serious mental illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

“It’s time to make a difference through dialogue about mental illness throughout our community.”

One in four adults experiences a mental disorder in any given year. One in 17 adults lives with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder. And in America, more people die by suicide (50% more) each year than by homicide.

Treatment works—and saves lives.

Learn more about mental illness and support, education and advocacy to improve the lives of individuals affected by serious mental illnesses at www.nami.org.

Here at UMBC, we take pride in what our alums accomplish after graduation. Take a moment to see which Retrievers have been on the move and making news!

Caitlin Chance ‘14, psychology, recently accepted a position as assistant softball coach on the Shorewomen’s staff at Washington College. During her time at UMBC, she was a four-year starter for second base. Chance also played in the 2011 and 2014 America East Championships and was team co-captain her junior and senior years. Read more.

With the release of the iPhone 6, Stephan Sherman ‘00, M8, interdisciplinary studies, presented at an Apple iPhone Keynote about his company’s VainGlory game that will run on the iPhone 6. Sherman is co-founder and CCO of Super Evil Megacorp, a game company, and he discussed how the multiplayer game will be taking advantage of the larger screen and quicker processors of the iPhone 6. Watch the keynote.

With only 222 fire officers worldwide, Robert Frampton ‘14 M.S., emergency health services, is the first in Maryland to receive the “fire officer” credential from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Frampton has been working at the Salisbury Fire Department since 1999 and with this new title, he will have the ability to contribute to a forum to improve the Salisbury department and other departments across the country. This new position took him three months to complete, along with a peer review and a secondary application which must be completed every three years for him to remain the fire officer. Read the full article.

Stephen Morgan ’72, psychology, is one of The Daily Record’s Most Admired CEOs for his work with The Arc Baltimore. His company fits under the category of nonprofit with more than $10 million in annual revenue. The Arc Baltimore provides support to individuals and their families with disabilities. See the complete list of winners.

Have a story of your own to share? Submit a class note.

Another day, another protest. Yawn.  That is So last January. 

But, if something as trite as the future of China grabs your attention, Democrazy has your back. We’ve compiled a handy list of what to know about the protest movement in Hong Kong:

What do they want?

The protesters want full democracy and greater autonomy from the centralized Chinese government. 

British colonial authorities granted control of Hong Kong to China in 1997. China agreed that Hong Kong could directly elect its own chief executive by 2017. 

Recently, however, the Chinese government declared that Hong Kong voters could only choose their chief executive from a handful of candidates pre-approved by China.

The protestors want completely open elections. 

To this end, many are calling for current chief executive of Hong Kong, CY Leung, to resign. 

How are they trying to get it?

Unlike their counterparts in the rest of China, citizens of Hong Kong have the right to peaceful protest.

Students are boycotting classes and tens of thousands of people are marching in the streets. 

So far, police response has been measured. However, fearing surveillance, many protestors are using app FireChat to communicate without cell or wireless network. 

When did this start?

Students began boycotting classes on September 22, and street protests  have steadily escalated for the last week. 

How will it end?

For now, protesters are determined to continue, and the government is biding its time. No sign of change is forthcoming from China.

Assuming you’re not snoozing yet ( and this is worth keeping an eye on), it might be worth following the a live feed.

This live feed could get pretty lively in the days ahead.