A newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends
April 22, 2016
Citizen-soldier wins 2016 UMES-Bernstein award Mulugeta Brtu was Brtu, known to 15 and did not speak his friends as “Bobby,” English when his family began his college studies immigrated to America at Indiana State, 650 from Ethiopia a little more miles from his new than a decade ago. American home in Silver Brtu mastered a new Spring, Md. Leaving an language in the ensuing enclave where his native 11 years and is now on the Amharic was spoken, he cusp of earning a degree believes, accelerated his in mechanical engineering assimilation as an Englishfrom the University of speaking college student. Maryland Eastern Shore. A year of long bus His work ethic and Mulugeta Brtu, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, is presented with the rides to and from Terre creative thinking so 2016 Richard Bernstein Achievement Award of Excellence. From left, are: Dr. Payam Haute, however, convinced impressed his professors Matin, associate professor of engineering; Brtu; Dr. Juliette B. Bell, UMES President; him to transfer to a college and Dr. Ayodele Alade, dean, School of Business & Technology. they selected him to closer to home. UMES receive the 2016 Richard seemed like a good fit, Bernstein Achievement Award of Excellence, one of UMES’ most prestigious especially since it offered a degree in aviation science. individual undergraduate honors. Brtu’s mother was not keen on his interest in flying, though, so he Named for a prominent Salisbury entrepreneur and philanthropist, gravitated to mechanical engineering when he enrolled in the fall of 2010. the Bernstein honor is a $5,000 stipend awarded to a senior “who has “I’ve been interested in engineering for as long as I can remember,” he demonstrated leadership at school or community, conducted scholarly said. efforts with high potential to sustain scholarly efforts despite adversary and In the spring 2011, he joined the Maryland Army National Guard because personal challenges to earn a degree.” he viewed military service as a way to demonstrate his gratitude to be living in Serving a nine-month tour as a military patrol officer in Kandahar, “the greatest nation on Earth.” Afghanistan meets that criteria without question. BERNSTEIN AWARD / continued on page 6
Rolling billboard
events, but campus organizations looking to travel together can also reserve them by contacting AP Xpress / ProTran, which is co-owned by 2007 UMES alumnus Tim Wilson. When not being used by UMES, an athletics spokesman said, AP Xpress / Pro-Tran will rent its “Hawk Pride” rides to other customers, which exposes the university to new audiences along the Eastern Seaboard and Canada.
INSIDE
UMES has another new wrinkle in its rolling billboard approach to advertising, thanks to aggressive marketing efforts by the Department of Athletics. Athletics’ coach bus vendor, AP Xpress / Pro-Tran of Hyattsville, agreed to customize two vehicles in its fleet with the school’s colors. One of the buses already appeared on campus earlier this month, prompting double-takes and questions about who can use the mammoth mode of transportation. The 55-passenger buses primarily will be used by teams heading to sporting
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Congresswoman Edwards Visits Campus Student Awarded Health Care Speaker
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Professor Named Md’s Top 100 Choir Director’s Finale Professor Appointed to Board
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Alum Addresses Honors Convocation
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Convocation Honorees Honda Coach of the Year Fed. Challenge Team Recognized
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Graduate Scholarship Interim Chief Named
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Chesapeake Housing Epilepsy Walk/Run Summer Language Program
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Calendar of Events