Bringing UMBC to Montgomery County for a Decade

When the Universities at Shady Grove opened, it was an innovative concept in higher education: a place where part-time students could attend classes from a variety of public institutions. And UMBC was one of the first universities to embrace the concept, joining the center from its start.

This fall, UMBC celebrates its 10th anniversary as part of the endeavor. In those years, USG has grown into a state-of-the-art center with more than 60 degree programs in partnership with nine USM schools, serving more than 3,650 undergraduate and graduate students. UMBC now offers a wide range of degrees at the center — bachelors degrees in management of aging services, history, political science, psychology and social work, and graduate degrees in industrial/organizational psychology and geographic information systems.

�UMBC is committed to providing degree programs tailored to the specific education and economic development needs of the Montgomery County region,� said USG Executive Director Stewart Edelstein. �It is a strong partner. Its presence on the USG campus has been strategic, focused and engaged.�

Students are able to tap into the quality of a UMBC education while staying close to home. Small class sizes, one-on-one contact with faculty and a variety of professional development services help UMBC students at USG maintain their professional focus while furthering their education.

�Many of my students have responsibilities to their families and communities and are unable to pursue a traditional college route by leaving home,� said Katie Morris, program director of UMBC�s baccalaureate social work program at USG. �UMBC at Shady Grove allows them to pursue an excellent education and remain connected to their home community.�

Looking forward, UMBC plans to expand its role at USG, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math education. �UMBC will continue to grow its presence on USG�s campus,� UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski said at a celebration commemorating the 10th anniversary. �It�s important to the county, and it�s important to the state.�

Edelstein welcomes such an expansion. �I look forward to the day when UMBC brings its mechanical engineering program to USG,� he said, �building on their nationally recognized success in graduating highly skilled scientists and engineers, specifically among minority student populations.�

For more information on UMBC at USG, visit http://www.umbc.edu/shadygrove/. You can read more about the 10th anniversary celebration here.

(11/28/11)

Maryland State Delegate Kirill Reznik (District 39 in Montgomery County) is seeking interns to work in his Annapolis office during the Maryland General Assembly's 2012 Legislative Session. Delegate Reznik serves on the Health and Government Operations Committee. While his committee primarily focuses on health care related topics, his office will focus on passing legislation on a variety of issues. This is an excellent opportunity to learn how the Maryland government operates and gain valuable experience working in a legislative body. Along with administrative work, interns will gain hands-on experience while researching legislation that will come before the Health and Government Operations Committee, working on constituent issues, and helping staff to pass legislation sponsored by the Delegate. Interns will also be encouraged to follow legislation of their personal interest as those bills work through the legislative process. Interns should be college students willing to commit at least two full days a week from the middle of January to the middle of April. All applicants are welcome, regardless of Maryland residency.

Luke 9:28-36 (NIV 2011)

²⁸ About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. ²⁹ As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. ³⁰ Two men, Moses and Elijah, ³¹ appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. ³² Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. ³³ As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

³⁴ While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” ³⁶ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

Reflection:

Peter, James, and John need a revelation from God to understand who Jesus really is. The Transfiguration is a moment for them to see Jesus in all of God’s glory. In response, Peter initially tries to fit things into more of his old structure and understanding. Perhaps he says it is good for them to be there because he thinks they can “add” something to God’s kingdom.

But in the cloud and as God speaks, the disciples are left with the One who really matters: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

Response:

As we encounter God’s revelation in our own lives, we get a glimpse of God’s kingdom and His presence changes everything. Let’s thank God because He encourages us by giving us a taste of His future glory. And as He speaks to us, let’s commit to listen to Him, leaving behind the old ways and following in obedience.

It’s that time of year again -- the time for delegates from all over the world to talk climate change and what we can do about it as a global citizenry. COP-17, the 17th annual meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)’s Conference of Parties (COP), kicked off yesterday in Durban, South Africa’s third largest city. From November 28 to December 9, 194 parties convene to discuss global solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt resolutions to strategically address climate change.

Over two decades after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was organized in 1988, COP-17 convenes this year to build upon the meetings from previous years, from the first meeting in Berlin in 1993 to last year’s COP-16 in Cancun. At the end of each conference, the parties come up with a set of decisions and resolutions which are archived here.

On the agenda this year is to continue talking about how to implement the much-belabored Kyoto Protocol, which sets binding emissions reduction targets among other goals for industrialized countries. Formally adopted 14 years ago, the Kyoto Protocol remains a touchy topic among developed countries including the US which remains the only signatory that refuses to ratify the treaty.

For those of us who couldn’t make it to the bustling sea port of Durban this year, we can get a taste of the proceedings virtually. The schedule is packed with speeches, workshops, and tours, ranging from a discussion on how social sciences are affected by a changing climate to a veganism gala with prominent (& vegan) political figures from around the globe. And, thanks to students and other individuals that are recording their impressions of the conference online, there are some outlets to look to for in depth coverage, anecdotes, and photos of the proceedings. Students from Dickinson College are reporting on their experiences thus far in their blog, Dickinson to Durban, as are the youth delegates through SustainUS, a highly selective global youth ambassadors program, which has a blog and series entitled “Postcards from Durban”.

While every higher education institution may not be able to have a program as comprehensive as Dickinson’s NASA-supported Global Climate Change Africa Mosaic program, which has sent students to conduct on-site research during COP-17, testament to the growing presence of higher education in the international climate change arena is the representation of over 115 colleges and universities from around the world at COP-17.

Of course, as with any convening on sustainability, whether attracting 20,000 people in a week-long convention or 20 in an hour-long debate on your campus -- how spoken and written words are translated into action is what ultimately demonstrates if and how these varied efforts are moving us closer towards a cooler climate and healthier humanity.

Stay tuned for more COP-17 coverage from AASHE! And, if you're in Durban or know of people from your university or college that are, please do let us know by commenting here or emailing us at resources@aashe.org.

Related resources and links:
* "Q&A: Durban COP17 climate talks"
* "What's going on during COP17
* Photos from SustainUS at COP-17
* COP15 webinar with AASHE and Dickinson College

The UMBC Wind Ensemble, directed by Richard Spece (adjunct instructor, Music), has been invited to perform at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, November 29. The UMBC Wind Ensemble is comprised of exceptional woodwind, brass and percussion performers who enjoy the challenge of performing excellent concert literature.

“The UMBC Wind Ensemble is honored and excited to be performing at the Kennedy Center,” remarked Dr. Spece. “This is an incredible opportunity for the students who, through hard work and dedication, have become a regionally recognized and accomplished ensemble.”

The program will feature Trittico by Vaclav Nelhybel, Equus by Eric Whitacre, Sanctuary by Frank Ticheli and Adrenaline City by Adam Gorb.

The performance will take place at the Millennium Stage, located in the Grand Foyer, at 6:00 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. The concert may also be viewed online in real time by clicking here.

The Wind Ensemble’s next performance at UMBC will take place on Wednesday, December 8, at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Recital Hall. More information is available on the Arts & Culture Calendar.