The Key March 10, 2017 Edition

A newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends

UMES president joins HBCU leaders in Washington

March 10, 2017

Dr. Juliette B. Bell was among some 60 leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities greeted

by President Donald Trump during a twoday visit to the White House, where talks were held with the administration about challenges institutions face, including funding needs.

My colleagues and I were invited to the nation’s capital by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to engage in a strategic dialogue with President Trump’s administration about the role and importance of our uniquely American institutions.

I viewed this invitation as my responsibility to have a “seat at the table” representing the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, its fellow 1890 land-grant institutions and all HBCUs. The political pendulum in America swings back and forth; however, there is no partisanship when it comes to the support that we need to enhance delivery of quality higher education at UMES. HBCU presidents were emphatic in emphasizing the critical role our institutions play in the nation’s prosperity and what it will take to strengthen our institutions. HBCU leaders can play an important role in developing an action agenda that helps the Trump administration enact policies and funding priorities to enhance and support HBCUs. – Dr. Juliette B. Bell

Roland Martin, left, of TV One’s “NewsOne Now” show, interviewed Richard Gallot Jr. (Grambling State), Juliette B. Bell and Kent Smith Jr. (Langston) Feb. 28, who were part of delegation of HBCU leaders engaged in talks with The White House.

UMES students volunteer in Dominican Republic “Meaningful, sustainable and unforgettable” are words participants used to describe an international service experience organized by UMES’ Richard A. Henson Honors Program and Office of University Engagement and Lifelong Learning.

Over winter break, 15 students and three faculty/staff members spent a week working with Brigadistas, members of the Peace Corps “Green Brigade,” devoted to “preserving the environment and promoting responsible tourism” in the Dominican Republic.

“The impact of travel abroad experiences is huge,” said Allyson McCullough, a freshman kinesiology major. “This trip will stay with me forever.”

McCullough said it introduced her to the Dominican culture

INSIDE

VOLUNTEERS / continued on page 7

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Spelling Bee Provost Search

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University Appoints New Campus Leaders

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Alumni Association Honors Members

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Lunnermon Selected for Leadership Maryland Faculty Member Receives Award Alumni Give Back

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Athletics Update

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Fallen Hawk Calendar of Tech /Engineering Students & Events Faculty Recognized Help UMES Win Bell Honored by AFRO $50K

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Circling the Oval

Spelling ‘solvency’ right makes life sweet The fourth time was the charm for Erin Welch of Princess Anne at the 2017 Maryland Eastern Shore Regional Spelling Bee. The eighth-grader from St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Salisbury bested 26 other competitors Saturday to win the title of the Lower Shore’s best speller.

Welch, 13, had previously competed in three other regional spelling bees sponsored by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and was runner-up twice.

Her win qualifies her to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in late May. Welch spelled 19 words correctly, including the championship word – “solvency.”

The runner-up was a first-time competitor, Isabel Mena, a 10-year-old fifth-grader from Pemberton Elementary School in Salisbury. James Gordy, a sixth-grader from Somerset Intermediate School in Westover, was the second runner-up.

Mena and Welch dueled head-to-head for four rounds before Mena stumbled on “transaction.” Welch immediately spelled “becloud” correctly and then “solvency” to wrap up the win.

Welch as a 4th grade participant in 2013.

Unlike previous rounds, where she employed a tried-and-true strategy of asking questions about each word she was tasked to spell, Welch hesitated only momentarily before knocking down the final word.

Welch’s principal, Rob Costante, was in the darkened auditorium sporting a St. Francis school spirit t-shirt that read “Penguin Pride.”

The irony of the competition was that in an earlier round, Welch randomly was asked to spell the word for the flightless bird. She stuck to routine, going through the progression of questions before calmly spelling out “p-e-n-g-u-i-n.”

Sofie Welch, Erin’s mother, said Erin was intent on finishing her career as a competitive speller by winning the 2017 event. Only students in grades three through eight are eligible under Scripps National Spelling Bee rules.

“She was practicing 400 words an hour, at one point,” Mrs. Welch said.

“We are so proud of her.”

Costante, Erin’s principal, said “no one is more deserving than Erin. She is a terrific student and takes challenges like this one seriously.”

Among those in Welch’s cheering section was two-time Maryland Eastern Shore Regional Spelling Bee champion, Gia Bautista, who is a family friend.

UMES conducts search for new Provost The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has partnered with Academic Search Inc. in Washington, D.C. to coordinate the search for UMES’ next provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Andrea Hamos, vice president and senior consultant with the search firm, will be the firm’s liaison to “organize, manage and inform with best practices the process to enable the committee to make the best decisions it can.”

UMES co-chairs Dr. Rondall Allen, dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, and Kimberly Conway Dumpson, executive vice president and chief of staff, will work with a 12-member, multidisciplinary committee from across campus to “identify, through an appropriate search process, the top three candidates to fill the position.”

Those candidates will be presented to UMES President Juliette B. Bell in unranked order for the final selection.

Hamos interviewed various campus stakeholders in late February for input in creating a “thorough job description including the various

core competencies the successful candidate should possess as well as personality traits and background” that was subsequently vetted through the search committee.

The position profile posted last week and will remain open until April 9. Academic Search Inc. will handle the application and recruiting, and will work with the committee to review applications it receives in mid-April.

“The committee is working on an ambitious timeline to identify qualified candidates before the end of this academic year,” Allen and Dumpson wrote in a March 1 letter to the campus community. The goal, they say, is to have a new provost and vice president for academic affairs in place by July 1.

Students, staff, faculty, alumni and interested parties can follow the search process online and see updates on committee progress at www.umes.edu/ProvostSearch.

UMES People

The Key / March 10, 2017

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Appointments of new campus leaders Dr. Joseph Arumala was appointed interim chair of UMES’ Department of Technology Feb. 1. Arumala has been a faculty member since 1996. One of the major highlights during his tenure was the design and construction of the Princess Anne Athletic Center—a $1.2 M project funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HBCU program and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Through his commitment to enhance student learning, he also has played a significant role in the formation of the Eastern Shore Branch of the American Society of Civic Engineering and Engineering Week on the Eastern Shore by conducting the first Engineering Expos in Somerset and Wicomico counties. Aside from Arumala’s civic and public service engagements, he has demonstrated outstanding academic leadership at the university initiating Sigma Lambda Chi (construction) and Chi Epsilon Fraternity honors societies (civil engineering) to promote faculty and student professional development.

Alissa Carr was named an associate vice president and director of marketing and external relations, effective December 12. In this new position, Carr oversees all campus communication functions, including public relations, marketing and outreach as well as WESM radio.

A Towson University graduate with a mass communications degree, she currently is pursuing a master’s degree in management with focus in marketing from the University of Maryland University College. Carr has 20 years of experience in marketing, public relations and communications and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the American Marketing Association and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She joined the UMES staff in 2013 to launch the university’s marketing department.

Christopher Harrington was recently appointed interim dean for the School of Education, Social Sciences and the Arts succeeding Dr. Ray Davis, who stepped down from the post. During this transition period, Harrington also will continue in his role as chair for the Department of Fine Arts. He earned a Master of Arts and an Ed.M. in art education from Columbia University’s Teachers College and his terminal degree, a Master of Fine Arts, from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He joined UMES in 1997 and is a tenured associate professor in the department. His work has been exhibited in various venues across the United States including the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tenn. and the traveling show, “Roadmap” organized by the Maryland Art Place.

Dr. LaKeisha Harris was appointed January 2017 to serve as the interim dean for graduate studies. Harris joined UMES in 2006 and is currently an associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Services.

As a graduate program director for the rehabilitation counseling program and prolific researcher, Harris works closely with graduate students and is keenly aware

of the opportunities and challenges of sustaining and expanding graduate education programming. Harris received a bachelor’s in psychology from Bowie State University, a master’s in rehabilitation counseling from Bowling Green State University, and a Ph.D. in rehabilitation counselor education from the University of Iowa.

Robin Hoffman has been appointed interim assistant vice president for academic affairs in addition to his role as the director of the Center for Instructional Technology and Online Learning. Hoffman, a 2004 UMES graduate, joined the Hawk family in 2013. Hired to oversee Instructional Technology and the Faculty Development Title III activity, he assumed the oversight of UMES Online in April 2015.

Since merging the Instructional Technology and UMES Online units, Hoffman has been successful in developing new online courses and played an integral role in the completion and implementation of UMES’ first fully online degree program – a Master of Science in cybersecurity engineering technology. Hoffman is a Quality Matters Master Reviewer and has successfully assisted the university in affiliating with the State Authorization Reciprocal Agreement, which allows UMES to offer online instruction in 45 states. He is currently nearing the end of his doctoral studies at Morgan State University in college leadership.

Jesse Kane was appointed November 2016 to serve as the interim associate vice president for enrollment management. He was an education policy analyst with the Maryland Higher Education Commission prior to coming to UMES. His previous administrative roles include vice president for student affairs and enrollment at Dakota State Univeristy and chief student affairs officer at Bowie State University. During Kane’s tenure at Dakota State, the institution increased its enrollment from 2800 to 3200 students. He also led an effort to create that university’s first strategic enrollment management plan. Kane also has worked at the University of Maryland College Park and Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Latasha Wade is serving as the interim vice provost for academic affairs. Wade joined UMES’ faculty in July 2014 and later served as interim chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration.

She accepted a 2015 appointment as interim associate provost for faculty affairs and strategic initiatives. In this role, Wade implemented a successful faculty development program and doubled the number of articulation agreement partnerships with colleges in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. Prior to joining UMES, Wade was regional assistant dean of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy satellite campus at Elizabeth City State University, director of the UNC-Chapel Hill/ECSU Doctor of Pharmacy Partnership Program and chair of the Department of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Wade holds undergraduate degrees in microbiology and economics from the University of Maryland College Park and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Pharmacy.

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S c h o o l

Alumni Association honors members Recognized for “Outstanding Achievement,” from left, are: Dr. Percy W. Thomas, Rev. Dr. Sherman Lambert Sr., Ret. Brig. Gen. Walter Jones, Robert McGlotten Jr. and Gerald Irons Sr. Delphine Lee, far right, received a “Lifetime Achievement” award.

Dr. Earl S. Richardson (not pictured) was the first recipient of the “Extraordinary Lifetime Achievement” award.

From left, Eric Brown, Faye Martin Howell, Robert Gaskin, Ernestine Hawkins Kearney, Derrick Leon Davis and R. Owen Johnson were recognized as “Hall of Excellence” awardees.

From left, Gioia Y. Wallace, Tyrone Wells, Jennifer Dashiell Reed, Larry Darnell Penn and Hattie Jones Penn also received “Hall of Excellence” awards. Dr. Carol Boyce Davies and Trayon White Sr. (not pictured) also received “Hall of Excellence” awards.

N e w s

Lunnermon selected for Leadership Maryland James G. Lunnermon II, UMES’ director of alumni development, will participate in Leadership Maryland, a professional development program “dedicated to building a better state by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders.”

Lunnermon is among 52 executives selected for the program’s 25th class slated to complete an eight-month program beginning in April focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues.

“The selection process for the Class of 2017 was very competitive this year and we had an extraordinary pool of diverse and experienced applicants to choose from,” said Renée M. Winsky, president and Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Maryland. “The participants represent a diverse and broad spectrum of highly qualified executives from across the state. We are confident that their Leadership Maryland experience will help them to play an even greater role in our unified effort to shape the future of our state.”

Learn more about Leadership Maryland at 410-841-2101 or visit www.LeadershipMD.org.

The Key / March 10, 2017

Alumni “give back” at UMES Homecoming

UMES President Juliette B. Bell is presented a check for $8,147 from brothers of the Pi Epsilon chapter of Omega Psi Phi.

Community recognizes fine arts faculty member Susan Holt, an art instructor and Mosely Gallery director at UMES, received WeHeartSalisbury’s 2017 “Visual Artist Award.”

The award, in its second year, exists “to cultivate love for our city and engage strategic efforts for Salisbury to thrive.” Awards were based on the nominee’s responses to two questions posted online and determined by voting.

“I love how people in Salisbury value the process of building community,” was Holt’s response to the question, “Why do you love Salisbury?”

Holt is a member of the Salisbury Arts and Entertainment District committee and chair of the Public Arts sub-committee. She has lead public art projects in Salisbury’s downtown including 10 permanent steel sculptures and ongoing wheat paste murals and electric box painting often incorporating UMES students.

Bell accepts a check for $7,000 from Delphine Lee of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

$1,600

Greater Annapolis Alumni Chapter

$1,500

Kappa Divine Nine Hawk Alumni

$1,500

Tri County Alumni Chapter

$1,000

Groove Phi Groove-Screaming Hawk Chapter

$1,000

South Eastern Virginia Alumni Chapter

$500

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Athletics

A wrap-up of recent activities by UMES’ men’s and women’s basketball team, bowling, men’s golf, track and baseball.

BOWLING Bowler Thashaina Seraus was selected as the MEAC Bowler of the Week (Feb. 28) after her performance at the MEAC Northern Division Meet No. 3. Seraus averaged 200.25 pins in traditional play.

The bowling team heads to Allentown, Penn. for sectional competition in the United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships this weekend.

BASKETBALL The UMES men’s basketball team finished its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference campaign with a 9-win 7-loss record, good for the fifth seed in this week’s traditional post-season conference tournament. A stellar season-long performance by senior Bakari Copeland earned him first team All-MEAC honors The previous week, Copeland was named College Sports Madness Player of the Week for his exceptional performances against North Carolina A&T State and Delaware State.

The men’s team ended its season on a high note with an exciting 67-66 victory over Morgan State on senior night to finish the regular season.

Copeland led the Hawks with 18 points, including the game-tying 3-pointer with 1:11 left.

Seniors Mark Seylan and Thomas Rivera, and graduate student Derrico Peck also suited up for the final time in the regular season finale against Morgan.

The UMES women’s team wasn’t as fortunate in its home finale, dropping a 66-62 game to Morgan on senior night.

Senior forward Briana Mack led the Hawks with a game-high 15 points in her final game. Guard Moengaroa Subritzky also played her last game in Princess Anne, registering her eighth double-double of the season, 11 points and 10 boards. It was also the last home game for seniors Briana Sye and Mariah McCoy. The Lady Hawks finished their MEAC season with a 6-win 10-loss season, making them the tournament’s 11th seed and the first-round opponent for in-state rival Coppin State.

Both teams made important opening round statements with impressive wins against Coppin (women) and NCA&T (men).

MEN’S GOLF The men’s golf team finished third in a Spring Invitational tournament hosted by Florida A&M University. Junior Demarkis Cooper led the way with his third top 10 performance of the season. He tied for eighth overall after shooting 13 over in two rounds of work.

The team concluded its Florida trip with an 11th place finish at the Bethune-Cookman Gary Freeman Spring Invitational. Junior Blair Waters led the way, shooting 24 over par in the event.

TRACK & FIELD (INDOOR) This past weekend, several Hawks competed at the IC4A/ECAC track championships in Boston, wrapping up the indoor season.

The men’s distance medley relay team broke a school record with 10:01.76. The team consisted of junior Oussama Chouati, senior Taj Showalter, junior Donovan Mundy and sophomore Jordan Leon.

BASEBALL The University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team dropped three games this past weekend to the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

Among the highlights from the weekend series: starting pitcher Wesley Martin allowed just three hits during a six-inning stint in the opening game; Dallas Culotta (went 2-for-3, including a double, in the second game and freshman Derek Schoff picked up his first collegiate hit.

Volleyball Volunteerism Mere Serea, a senior from Suva, Fiji, and Coach Toby Rens volunteered in the university’s Division of Institutional Advancement along with other members of the Hawk volleyball team.

School News

The Key / March 10, 2017

Technology and engineering association recognizes students and faculty

Fallen Hawk: Former campus photographer of four decades Campus photographer, Thomas H. Wiles, passed away Feb. 26 at the age of 92.

Wiles earned a degree at UMES in 1973 and served as a faculty member and wellknown campus photographer from 1951 to 1989. Many of his iconic black and white images of college life can be found on campus today.

The Technology and Engineering Education Association of Maryland recognized UMES students and faculty at its annual banquet in Baltimore Feb. 22. Awardees were members of the university’s undergraduate Technology and Engineering Education and graduate Career and Technology Education programs. From left are: Larry Ryan, adjunct instructor, alumnus and Worcester County teacher, (Advocacy Award); Johnathan Moore, a senior in UMES’ TEE program, (Donald Maley undergraduate scholarship); Dr. Tyler Love, coordinator, UMES TEE program, (Leadership Award); Dr. Thomas Loveland, director, UMES CTE graduate program, Melvin Gill, an adjunct instructor, UMES alumnus and Anne Arundel County teacher, (High School Teacher of Excellence Award); Charles Evans, UMES alumnus, Carroll County teacher, (Middle School Teacher of Excellence Award); and Kevin Koperski, CTE student and Anne Arundel County teacher, (Gerald Day graduate scholarship.)

VOLUNTEERS / continued from cover

and deepened her affection for the Spanish language along with a new appreciation for the environment. “The community service component was enjoyable and brought us closer to each other and more knowledgeable about the environment,” she said.

The Escuela Nacional Forestal (national forest school) near the town of Jarabocoa, which educates students in forestry and the environment, served as the base for the project. Students participated in ecotourism, natural resource conservation and reforestation projects such as: trail building and design, repairing benches and fences, gardening, planting seedlings in a tree nursery and painting recycling bins.

A lot went into preparation for the trip—a year-long endeavor, said Loretta Campbell, Henson Honors program assistant director and group leader.

Participants attended orientation sessions in the fall, did journaling and reflective exercises during the January trip and are taking a three-credit honors course, “Global Problems, Local Solutions,” this spring.

Educational tour company, EF (Education First) Tours, offered participants 30 service hours for the experience through its service learning opportunities recognized by the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

“I’m proud of our students, who exhibited strong leadership, spirited fellowship and genuine enthusiasm to expand their global horizons,” said Dr. Michael Lane, director of UMES’ Henson Honors program. “They were remarkably able ambassadors of UMES. The experience was such a resounding success, planning has already begun for a repeat program, slated for January 2018.”

Bell among black leaders in education honored by the AFRO As part of commemorative events celebrating the newspaper’s 125th anniversary, the AFRO honored UMES President Juliette B. Bell and other black leaders in education Feb. 23 at an event at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture.

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MARCH *Unless noted, all events listed are free.

Calendar

arts & entertainment calendar

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center 4068 Golden Hill Rd, Church Creek, Md.

Grand Opening: March 11, 12 Conference: May 18-22

The National Park Service and the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program co-host “On the Edge of Freedom: Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad in the Borderlands.”

Visit www.nps.gov/ugrr for more information.

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Health & Wellness Festival

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Student Services Center Ballroom

Health screenings and wellness informational displays.

410-651-6385

Art Exhibit Opening Reception

4-6 p.m. / Mosely Gallery “Do It Yourself Art & Fashion: UMES Student Show.” Student visual art and textile designs. Show through May 4.

410-651-7770 or visit www.moselygallery.com

Women’s History Month Play

7 p.m. / Ella Fitzgerald Center “Ain’t I a Woman” one-woman play.

410-651-UMES

T H E U MES MISSION The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the state’s historically black, 1890 land-grant institution, has its purpose and uniqueness grounded in distinctive learning, discovery and engagement opportunities in the arts and science, education, technology, engineering, agriculture, business and health professions.

UMES is a student-centered, doctoral research degree-granting university known for its nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate programs, applied research and highly valued graduates.

UMES provides individuals, including first-generation college students, access to a holistic learning environment that fosters multicultural diversity, academic success, and intellectual and social growth.

UMES prepares graduates to address challenges in a global, knowledgebased economy while maintaining its commitment to meeting the workforce and economic development needs of the Eastern Shore, the state, the nation and the world.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Inquiries regarding the application of Federal laws and nondiscrimination policies to University programs and activities may be referred to the Office of Equity & Compliance/Title IX Coordinator by telephone (410) 651-7848 or e-mail (titleix@umes.edu).

The KEY is published by the Office of Public Relations in the Office of the President 410-651-7580 www.umes.edu

Editors Gail Stephens, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Publications Manager Bill Robinson, Director of Public Relations Design by Debi Rus, Rus Design Inc. Printed by The Hawk Copy Center Submissions to The KEY are preferred via email. All copy is subject to editing.The Key is written according to the Associated Press stylebook.