Three students in UMBC’s College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (CSEE) have been selected for major scholarships to pursue studies in cybersecurity-related fields under UMBC’s participation in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Scholarship for Service (SFS) Federal CyberCorps program. As SFS Scholars, students receive full tuition, fees, annual reimbursement of professional development expenses ($3,000), a nine-month stipend ($20,000 for undergraduates, $25,000 for MS/MPS students, and $30,000 for PhD students) for up to two years (three years for PhD or BS/MS), and assistance with federal cybersecurity internships and career placement. To be eligible for SFS funding, applicants must be full-time students at UMBC committed to cybersecurity-related research and education activities, have an excellent academic record, and not have any significant outside employment obligations.

The first-round awardees for AY14-15 are:

• Anastasia Raffucci, BS (CMPE)
• Jackson Schmandt, Ph.D. (CMPE)
• Brooke Young, BS (CMSC)

These new awardees will join existing UMBC SFS Scholars Oliver Kubik (BS, CMSC), Mary Mathews (PhD, CMSC), Nathan Price, MS (CMPE). Punlada Muangrat BS (IS), Alex Cooke BS (IS), and Denis Danilin MS (IS).

ADDITIONAL SLOTS AVAILABLE! Applications for SFS support for AY14-15 will be accepted through 12PM (noon) on Friday, May 2, 2014 with notice of awards made by May 23, 2014. All levels of study are welcome to apply — however, students must be admitted to (or already enrolled at) UMBC first before applying for SFS. For information about SFS (including application information and instructions) and other US government-related cybersecurity scholarships available, please visit the CISA website.

The CyberCorps program produces highly-qualified professionals to meet the United States government’s increasing need to protect American’s cyber infrastructure. While in the program at UMBC, SFS CyberCorps Scholars participate in special SFS program activities, have opportunities to engage in mentored research opportunities both at UMBC and its partners from industry and government, and must complete a paid summer internship for the federal government. Upon graduation, each student must work for the government (for pay) for one year for each year of scholarship received. CSEE Drs. Alan Sherman and Richard Forno direct the program under a five-year $2.5 million NSF grant received in 2012.

In this article you'll learn about the basics of creating a responsive site from scratch using the Moboom interface and you'll also be introduced to some of the tools available to you.

Two articles — which included interviews with Liz Walton, dance –were featured in the Washington Post and New York Times last week. The pieces, focused predominately around the history, success and upcoming reunion of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, featured discussions with Paul Taylor alumni, including Liz Walton on her involvement in the company during the 1950’s and 60’s.

Read the interviews, “A family reunion with the Paul Taylor Dance Company” and “Institutional Memory Onstage: Paul Taylor Alumni Return for 60th Anniversary Celebration”

Maryland Art Place (MAP) is pleased to announce this year’s IMPRINT Artist, Steven. H. Silberg and his selected image, stemming from a series of work titled, “For Love (089-b)”. In its third year, MAP honors one singular contemporary artist who has demonstrated excellence within their selected media through its annual print reproduction program, IMPRINT.

The goal of the IMPRINT program is support artists by increasing the visibility of their work, and by promoting sales. Artists benefit by being highlighted on MAP’s website, and through the sale of a funded artist print reproduction. MAP will also sell the reproduction at its annual benefits, or offer them as sponsor incentives, which furthers the artist name and work. The selected artwork will officially launch in conjunction with MAP’s Annual Spring Benefit, Out of Order, Friday, April 4, 2014.

The body of work entitled “Reductive Video” by Steven H. Silberg borrows the choice to depict changes in movement (either as individual frames or wholly contained in a single image) and applies it to the technical rendering of images. Using custom software written in Max/MSP/Jitter, video is broken down to reveal only the pixels that change from frame to
frame, no longer implying form, but instead the shape of what has changed from the previous frame. Re-sequenced as video, the individual frames become reminiscent of Muybridge’s silhouetted running horse. These individual frames are also layered to become a single image, showing changes in shape, reminiscent of Marey’s use of lines on soldier’s uniforms – depicting a “wire frame” of physical movement.

“For Love (089-b)” presents only the reduction of a video into a single print. Changes in motion and movement are layered to create impressions of these on-screen activities. Highlighting the divergence of form from content, this exploration of the “Reductive Video” process uses appropriated source material from online amateur pornographic video-sharing websites. Silberg received his MFA from MICA in 2004 and his BFA from the University of Delaware in 1997. He is a Lecturer in Foundations, concentrating in Photography and Video, at UMBC.

Out of Order (OOO) is a unique way to get involved with Baltimore’s growing art scene, while supporting one of Baltimore’s most established contemporary arts organizations. Revenue generated at Out of Order directly supports MAP’s programs, exhibitions and opportunities throughout the year furthering MAP’s mission. OOO will take place Friday, April 4 at 218 West Saratoga Street Baltimore, MD 21201. For more information
contact: Emily Sollenberger at emily@mdartplace.org.

Maryland Art Place (MAP) inspires, supports, and encourages artistic expression through innovative programming, exhibitions, and educational opportunities while recognizing the powerful impact art can have on our community. MAP creates a dynamic environment for artists of our time to engage the public by nurturing and promoting new ideas. MAP has served as a critical resource for contemporary art in the Mid-Atlantic since 1981. MAP is supported by the Maryland State Arts Council and The Citizens of Baltimore County.

For more information contact: paul@mdartplace.org or call 410.962.8565.

In their second article in a series of essays for the “City Folk” section in City Paper, American Studies Assistant Professor Nicole King and Folklorist in Residence Michelle Stefano profile Courtney Speed, a cosmetologist and community leader. The essay, titled, “Days of their lives,” was published March 26.

The article focuses on Speed and her devotion to Turner Station, a neighborhood at the tip of Dundalk in Baltimore County where she has lived since the 1960s. King and Stefano describe Speed’s time working at a barbershop that her husband owned, and later opening the Thomas and Martha Allmond Economic Development Center which trains young people and adults with special needs to run a business. It also serves as an incubator for the Henrietta Lacks Museum.

King and Stefano write that Speed worries about the Turner Station community changing due to developers taking over the neighborhood: “Speed would love to see Turner Station remain the utopian community she recalls from its heyday,” the authors write.

You can read the full essay in City Paper here.

Please join me in congratulating DeLauren McCauleyfor the winning oral presentation that she gave at the Promise Research Symposium on February 28, 2014 held at the University of Maryland, College Park.   DeLauren delivered a TED-style talk at the symposium. This new conference revises the former PROMISE Research Symposium, and adds a professional development component that will prepare graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for faculty positions in STEM. This conference seeks to provide a venue that will allow students to present their work at any stage, receive feedback in preparation for presenting at larger venues, and provide training that will prepare participants for faculty careers.

Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars were invited to participate and present their research. Participants were invited from all universities within the University System of Maryland. This event is structured to provide training and career preparation for graduate students  postdoctoral scholars who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.

Congratulations DeLauren!!