This week’s Huffington Post article “Owning Yes We Can” highlights the inspiring work of UMBC’s Student Government Association (SGA), which the authors call “a national model…of student organizing and empowerment.” They focus on SGA’s successful effort this spring to organize student opposition to state budget cuts that would have led to a dramatic tuition increase.

“Many would not have been able to stay in school with 15-20 percent increases in tuition expenses,” explained SGA member Meghan Carpenter. “I am so proud of what students from different organizations were able to start. We showed that students can make a change not just at our college, but in our state.”

If you're interested in what's going on in Baltimore's gaming scene, check out Baltimoregamer.com.

The site covers local gaming events in the Baltimore and D.C. area, as well as developments in the game industry, and career tips for aspiring video game developers. The site also includes features articles, like its three-part series called "So You want to Build a Video Game: A Guide to Get You Started."

The site welcomes local game enthusiasts to join their team. "Joining the BaltimoreGamer team is a fantastic opportunity to network within the game development industry," says the website. "We can utilize a wide variety of skills, and we will also help you learn new skills if you would like and we are able."

For those of you who always show up at local LAN parties, game conventions, tournaments, or other video-game related events, writing for the website might be a great chance to share your experiences with the world wide web.

Former UMBC track and field standout and NCAA champion Cleopatra Borel ’02, INDS, is competing in her third Olympic Games for her native Trinidad and Tobago, once again in the shot put. Borel placed 17th in 2008 in Beijing after finishing in 10th at the 2004 Games in Athens.

“We are very proud of Cleopatra and all that she has accomplished in her career,” said UMBC head track and field coach David Bobb ’02, health administration and policy. “We wish her the absolute best as she continues to represent Trinidad and Tobago and UMBC is the best possible way.”

The first ever NCAA champion in UMBC history, Borel, the lone Retriever in London this summer, holds the school record in both the indoor (17.50m, 57’5”) and outdoor (16.44m, 53’11.25”) shot put , the weight throw (18.03m (59’2”) and the hammer throw (51.28m (168’3”). Her indoor shot put school record distance was at the time her personal-best and won her the 2002 NCAA title. In addition to her championship, Borel was a three-time All-American during her time in Baltimore.

Borel qualified for her third Olympic Games back in June when she bested the field at the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Trials with a toss of 17.98m (59’0”).

“A lot of the credit can go to former throws coach Brian King,” Bobb said. “He really worked hard with her and set her on this path.”

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London open on Fri., July 27 with the Opening Ceremony and continue through Sun., Aug. 12. The women’s shot put competition will take place on Wed., Aug. 6 and will be held at the Olympic Stadium.

This story originally appeared on UMBC Retrievers.Com.

Former UMBC track and field standout and NCAA champion Cleopatra Borel ’02, INDS, is competing in her third Olympic Games for her native Trinidad and Tobago, once again in the shot put. Borel placed 17th in 2008 in Beijing after finishing in 10th at the 2004 Games in Athens.

“We are very proud of Cleopatra and all that she has accomplished in her career,” said UMBC head track and field coach David Bobb ’02, health administration and policy. “We wish her the absolute best as she continues to represent Trinidad and Tobago and UMBC is the best possible way.”

The first ever NCAA champion in UMBC history, Borel, the lone Retriever in London this summer, holds the school record in both the indoor (17.50m, 57’5”) and outdoor (16.44m, 53’11.25”) shot put , the weight throw (18.03m (59’2”) and the hammer throw (51.28m (168’3”). Her indoor shot put school record distance was at the time her personal-best and won her the 2002 NCAA title. In addition to her championship, Borel was a three-time All-American during her time in Baltimore.

Borel qualified for her third Olympic Games back in June when she bested the field at the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Trials with a toss of 17.98m (59’0”).

“A lot of the credit can go to former throws coach Brian King,” Bobb said. “He really worked hard with her and set her on this path.”

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London open on Fri., July 27 with the Opening Ceremony and continue through Sun., Aug. 12. The women’s shot put competition will take place on Wed., Aug. 6 and will be held at the Olympic Stadium.

This story originally appeared on UMBC Retrievers.Com.

Matthew 12:46-50 (NIV)

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Luke 14:25-27 (NIV)

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Reflection:

Family reunions are occasions for extended family members to get together usually for a meal, recreation and time together typically centered on sharing a common last name. These times can be annoying, boring or entertaining and our past experiences with family reunions can either carry bad memories or fond memories of these times. Regardless of our past experiences and expectations concerning family reunions, Jesus upends the family expectations and loyalties for a greater loyalty to God. Only in this true devotion to God and His family can we truly be free from the expectations and messiness of ‘earthly’ relationships. It is reunion with God that ultimately frees us to see family the way God does, and to free us to love them ‘God’s way’…not ‘the family way.’

Responding to the Transmission:

As God’s children, part of His family, we have been set free to love and care for family according to God’s way. In this new life we have in Christ, let’s spend time praying that true to devotion to God would strengthen and increase in us, and that we would freely love family even more with God’s heart according to His power and love that He abundantly provides.

Shady Grove Community Day  and it’s September 22^nd.   

Our theme is sustainability this year and we have lots of great events happening that anyone from 5-75 would enjoy. Mike Tidwell will be here, as well as Bethesda Green and other local “green” businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. 

The 2012 Maryland Cyber Challenge (MDC3) will be held this fall with qualification rounds in September and the finals at the Cyber-Maryland Conference in the Baltimore Convention Center on 16-17 October. MDC3 is a statewide cyber competition and conference designed to interest more students and young professionals in pursuing careers in cybersecurity. The goal of the Maryland Cyber Challenge is to help strengthen Maryland’s position as a cybersecurity leader by bringing teams of current and prospective cybersecurity professionals together to develop the skills and techniques needed to protect vital information systems. Founders of the event include SAIC, UMBC, the National Cyber Security Alliance, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, and the Tech Council of Maryland.

UMBC students who are interested in MDC3 or cybersecurity in general are encouraged to contact the UMBC Cyber Defense Team, aka the Cyberdawgs.

MDC3 team registration is now open for the 2012 challenge. Questions about the Cyber Challenge can be sent to Kelli-Ann Tucker (kelli-ann.tucker at saic.com).

Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Computer Scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee participated in the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony this evening. He was honored as the inventor of the World Wide Web, although the NBC commentators wondered who he was. As part of the ceremony, @timberners_lee tweeted: "This is for everyone #london2012 #oneweb #openingceremony @webfoundation @w3c".

7/28 update: Good catch by UMBC IS PhD student Hal Martin:  Tim Berners-Lee apparently used a ancient NeXT computer when entering his tweet at the Olympic Games opening ceremony.  He has used a NeXTcube at CERN to implement the first Web browser.

This week’s Huffington Post article “Owning Yes We Can” highlights the inspiring work of UMBC’s Student Government Association (SGA), which the authors call “a national model…of student organizing and empowerment.” They focus on SGA’s successful effort this spring to organize student opposition to state budget cuts that would have led to a dramatic tuition increase.

“Many would not have been able to stay in school with 15-20 percent increases in tuition expenses,” explained SGA member Meghan Carpenter. “I am so proud of what students from different organizations were able to start. We showed that students can make a change not just at our college, but in our state.”