March 16, 2018
A newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends
Chancellor outlines UMES presidential search plans
A search for Dr. Juliette B. Bell’s successor will likely take six months, Chancellor Robert M. Caret said during a series of meetings Feb. 26 with students, staff, faculty, alumni and local civic leaders. Caret’s visit “can help inform the decision that’s made on which members of the campus community are invited to be on a search committee,” University of Maryland System spokesman Mike Lurie said. Bell announced Feb. 12 her plans to resign June 30 after six years as UMES president. Caret said he would consider an interim leader as a short-term appointment, but did not commit to exercising that option. “Sometimes an interim has been appointed,” Lurie said. “And sometimes one has not.” During his UMES visit, Caret outlined the approach he has employed to fill presidential vacancies at Bowie, Coppin, Frostburg, Towson, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the soon-to-be available post at Salisbury University. Caret was asked at one session whether the presidential departures at neighboring Salisbury and UMES could rekindle talk of merging the two institutions. “Politically, it’s a non-starter,” Caret said, adding that state leaders he meets with want to see the state’s public colleges collaborate more. He
offered as an example a recent agreement making it easier for top chemistry majors at Salisbury University to earn admission to UMES’ pharmacy school after three years. As he has with previous searchers, Caret will hire a search firm specializing in finding higher education administrators that in turn will CARET / continued on page 2
Utility executive is spring commencement speaker Calvin G. Butler Jr., chief executive officer of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), will deliver the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s commencement address May 25 to the Class of 2018. Butler has been a utility company executive since 2008 when he joined the Chicago-based Exelon Corp., BGE’s parent company, as a senior vice president of corporate affairs. Prior to being named BGE’s chief executive four years ago, Butler was senior vice president for regulatory and external affairs. Today, his responsibilities include oversight of BGE’s performance in safety, reliability, customer service, and diversity and inclusion. He is a member of BGE’s Board of Directors and the executive committee of Exelon. Butler has held other senior leadership roles in external affairs as well as manufacturing with the print, digital and supply chain solutions company RR Donnelley. He spent his early career with Central Illinois Light Co., where he held positions in government affairs, legal and strategy. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., and a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Morgan State University in 2014.
INSIDE
SPEAKER / continued on page 3
Page 2
Student Places 2nd in Music Competition Gay Recognized as Environmental Champion Katsucon Future Diplomats
Page 3
Human Ecology Club Holds Luncheon Alumnus is Guest Lecturer Aviation Science is Theme in Annapolis Biloxi Blues
Page 4-5
Homecoming 2018 UMES Students on Broadway
Page 6
Gill-Miles is MEAC Rookie of the Year Miryne Thomas Named to All-MEAC Rookie Team
Page 7
Meet UMES Campus Heroes Local Student Wins Spelling Bee
Page 8
A&E Calendar