The Key September 11, 2015 Edition

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

September 11, 2015

Bird and Williams halls reach platinum jubilee

INSIDE

In time for Founders’ Day 2015, a new permanent exhibit is featured on the walls of John T. Williams Hall, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s stately administration building at the head of the flag plaza.

The display in the public hallways on the first and second floors lends not only visual interest to otherwise mundane corridors, but highlights important facets of the University’s rich and storied history, according to Eric Jodlbauer, an historian and adjunct social sciences instructor at UMES who researched and designed the display.

The first floor introduces visitors to the heart of the school’s campus, the Academic Oval. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, the Oval consists of nine buildings situated around an open green. The green itself is an important link to UMES’s past as the site of original buildings (no longer standing) that early on constituted the institution: Onley, a building known only as the “Boy’s Dormitory,” DelCon Hall and the first administration building.

A series of ten panels relate the history of each of the buildings as well as shed light on those that no longer stand.

The second floor pays homage to the 15 leaders who have guided the University since its founding on Sept. 13, 1886. Starting with Benjamin O. Bird and ending with Dr. Juliette B. Bell, the

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Discounted Tuition Roundabout Open

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Freshmen Move-In Dietetic Interns Welcomed Faculty in Play

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Visiting Faculty Speakers Address Opening Events

display provides a snapshot of the evolution of the executive position from “principal” to “president,” and notes the personal histories, accomplishments and contributions of those who have held the post.

Williams and Bird halls, both constructed near the end of the Great Depression, are the oldest brick buildings in continuous use on the UMES campus.

The Williams hall exhibit was a summer-long project conceived by the Office of the President under the supervision of Kimberly Dumpson, the executive vice president.

“In celebration of the diamond (75th) anniversary of the university’s two oldest buildings, the exhibit, titled ‘The Diamond,’ highlights the rich foundation upon which today’s university was built,” Dumpson said.

“It is a visual synopsis of our university’s story so richly captured in detail by Dr. (William) Hytche, one of our late presidents, in his book ‘Polishing the Diamond’,” she said.

While the exhibit by no means highlights all of the important facets that make UMES the world-class institution it is today, it was conceived and designed to give visitors a primer on the heritage and history that every Hawk shares.

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UMES Travels

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Lady Hawks Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity HBCU All Star

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Law School Aid Philanthropy Art Faculty Show College Colors Day

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Calendar of Events

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The Key / September 11, 2015

Circling the Oval

Regional tuition targets Delaware, Eastern Shore of Virginia residents University of Maryland Eastern Shore undergraduates from Delaware as well as Accomack and Northampton counties in Virginia are eligible for a tuition discount beginning this semester.

UMES received the OK from the University System of Maryland governing board this past spring to offer a special “regional rate” of $7,034 as a marketing and recruitment tool.

The Board of Regents’ support of the regional tuition option possibly helped make UMES the top choice for a sizeable cohort of new students (some of whom may have been uncertain where to enroll.)

Dr. Jason DeSousa, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, said his staff will know by mid-September how many first-time students enrolled.

“Our staff is telling me a growing number of students across Delmarva consider UMES to be in the top tier of college choices,” DeSousa said. “We have a lot of unique academic programs that are appealing and having this regional tuition option is certainly a plus.”

The regents set UMES’ tuition for the 2015-16 academic year at $5,005 for Maryland residents.

Other out-of-state undergraduates will pay $14,067.

The new “regional rate” translates into a saving of almost 100 percent over the current out-of-state tuition. Similar discounts also are available to part-time undergraduates and graduate students from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Delaware.

Frostburg State University and the University System of Maryland-Hagerstown regional campus, both close in proximity to Pennsylvania and West Virginia, also have approval to offer similar discounts on tuition to residents of those two neighboring states.

“A discounted tuition rate for these students would have minimal impact in the short term, while providing a positive projected impact on long term enrollment and increases in revenue,” the USM finance committee report noted.

UMES enrollment has remained steady over the past several years at between 4,200 and 4,300 students, including those enrolled in graduate programs. The university’s goal is to grow enrollment steadily over the next 10 years to almost 6,100.

“This (discount) would assist UMES in meeting enrollment goals as well as providing a more affordable alternative to students in the region,” according to the USM report that regents approved.

During the previous academic year, Maryland residents enrolled at UMES paid $4,767 while tuition for all out-of-state undergraduates was $13,791, a pricing differential common at public four-year institutions across the country.

UMES did not raise its residence hall rates for the current school year, while the fee for dining services provided by Thompson Hospitality rose by three percent.

UMES remains one of the best values for Maryland residents among the state’s public, four-year universities.

Roundabout officially opens with ceremony

Completion of the new roundabout on UMES Blvd. (Rt. 822) was marked by a dedication ceremony August 24, two days before students arrived on campus.

State officials, elected officials from Somerset County and UMES President Juliette B. Bell cut the ribbon. From left are: County Commissioner Jerry Boston, Town Commissioners Dennis Williams and Mike Hall, Bell, Town Commissioner Garland Hayward and Del. Charles Otto. The project received a special finishing touch, thanks to the Maryland State Highway Administration—a maroon and gray motif.

UMES People

The Key / September 11, 2015

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Class of 2019 arrives Freshman Tianna Johnson of Fort Meade, Md. has a oneof-a-kind story to share with UMES classmates. Johnson and her family received an impromptu presidential escort to Murphy Hall after becoming disoriented searching for the lone residence hall on the Academic Oval.

As is her tradition on “Freshmen Move-in Day,” UMES President Juliette B. Bell crisscrossed campus via golf cart to greet new students and their families when she encountered the Johnsons behind Frederick Douglass Library.

Bell urged them to follow her to Murphy Hall, where Tianna, her family and two friends were surprised to learn the identity of the helpful “tour guide.”

“Wow, you don’t see that every day,” Rafael Johnson Sr. said. “That’s impressive.”

Bell posed for photos with the Johnsons, who had a look of disbelief that they had happened upon the university’s president in a moment of need.

Encounters like that, Bell said, inspire her as an educator-administrator.

Elected student leaders, sorority and fraternity members, athletes and their coaches together formed an energetic army of volunteers that

UMES dietetic interns receive scholarships

Cameron Cutler, left, and Jennifer Pope, received scholarships to support their enrollment in UMES’ dietetic internship program. Pope, a 2014 alum of UMES’ Department of Human Ecology with a concentration in dietetics, was awarded the Helen D. Mullan Scholarship by the Maryland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Cutler, a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, received the Janette Smith Memorial Scholarship from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. “Both scholarships are competitive and attest to the qualifications of the students in our dietetic internship program,” said Dr. Malinda Cecil, UMES’ dietetics program coordinator.

also made an impression on newcomers.

Among those newly arriving on campus were Alexis Reed and Hanna Savoie, who have been inseparable since kindergarten – with the exception of a preadolescent rift that caused them briefly to drift apart.

The duo met at Beall Elementary School in Rockville, Md. “We’ve always lived near each other” Savoie said.

After rekindling their friendship in an English class at Richard Montgomery High School (also in Rockville), the two have been just as close since.

Tiana Johnson, “It was like we never missed center, received some much-needed a beat,” Savoie said. assistance from As graduation from high UMES President school approached, the two Juliette B. Bell on assumed their paths would freshmen move-in split them apart to pursue their day. respective dreams.

Selfie moment as Savoie considered attending childhood friends New England College in New Alexis Reed and Hampshire, her parents’ alma Hanna Savoie move mater, but concluded tuition was in to UMES’ Plaza a bit pricey.

Hall.

“I didn’t want to be in college debt with my undergraduate degree. I knew pursuing my master’s Move-in Day / continued on page 6

Faculty member joins play cast over summer

At right, Dr. Kathryn Barrett-Gaines, UMES’ director of African-American Studies, portrays “Lenya” in Parlor Room Theater’s production of “Fools” by Neil Simon.

The play ran for three weeks in June and July at Catholic University’s Callan Theatre. The show sold out several performances and got glowing reviews.

Photo by Meagan C. Beach

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School News

The Key / September 11, 2015

Visiting Faculty Syrian doctor finds research refuge at UMES

Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence joins faculty

Dr. Khaled Hasan looks pretty much like any college professor. His outward appearance, however, belies the fact he and his family have an extraordinary story to tell. They’re also a blessing to our area.

Hasan is a prominent scientist from Syria whose work has the potential to save lives and reduce health care costs.

His research focus is leptin, a hormone that impacts cardiovascular disease, cancer and possibly obesity.

Finding substances that stimulate leptin production can benefit people with cardiovascular disease. Finding substances that inhibit leptin may be helpful in cancer treatments.

Leptin is also “the hunger hormone,” so Hasan’s research could play a role in solving our nation’s obesity problem.

Should his research pan out, it could save countless lives and billions of dollars. But this isn’t the end of the story.

Currently working in UMES’ School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Hasan is hoping to produce medications with fewer side effects because leptin is something we produce naturally.

His research is being accepted for the American Heart Association meeting this month, a feather in the cap for all of us who live on the Eastern Shore, and particularly for UMES. How does it happen we have such an eminent researcher among us?

The answer is the Syrian civil war. Hasan has seen many of his colleagues and friends tortured and killed.

His life was in danger as were the lives of his wife and two sons.

Fortunately, the Institute of International Education (IIE) has a program to rescue scholars like Hasan.

The Institute pays to place scholars in safe locations in the United States and other countries. It knows saving scholars’ lives means two of civilization’s most important functions can be met: adding to our store of knowledge and teaching future students.

This is particularly true in Hasan’s case. Imagine mankind’s loss if research on improved medications for blood pressure, cancer and obesity were lost because of the atrocities occurring in Syria.

Hassan and his family are grateful to live in safety and contribute to their new country. They are enriching our lives by their presence.

By Mitzi Perdue of Salisbury, an IIE volunteer

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence grant to host a visiting professor for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Dr. Dalal Mahmoud ElGemei, professor and chair in the Faculty of Humanities at Al Azhar University in Cairo, has joined UMES’ Department of English and Modern Languages. The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence award is part of the nation’s foremost international exchange program sponsored by the U.S. State Department.

This will be ElGemei’s third stint in the United States as a visiting academic; the first two times was as a research scholar.

“This time I’m teaching,” she said. “That’s the greatest part about it.”

This fall, she is teaching an entry-level course in Arabic and helping build a foundation for teaching an increasingly important foreign language in the English and modern languages department. Instruction will go beyond learning just words and will include the Arab culture “so they get a sense of it.”

“You cannot teach a language without putting it in a cultural context,” she said.

ElGemei this semester also will conduct what she calls a “conversation lab for informal instruction to practice the language.”

“Having Dr. ElGemei here as a visiting scholar will help us develop the Arabic curriculum and give us the window to develop future international exchange and research opportunities,” said Tammy Gharbi, UMES’ Foreign Language Instructional Center program coordinator. “Her expertise in teaching Arabic will be an asset to students of this critical-need language.”

In addition to her position at Al Azhar University, ElGemei teaches Arabic as a foreign language at American University in Cairo. She earned a Ph.D. in English linguistics and translation from Al Azhar University. Her research has been published and presented in a wide range of international and academic forums.

“We are delighted that the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board has recognized the University of Maryland Eastern Shore with this prestigious grant and we look forward to welcoming Dr. ElGemei to our campus,” said Dr. Patrick Liverpool, UMES’ provost and vice president for academic affairs.

“This is further evidence of our commitment to expand foreign language opportunities for our students.”

Stevie Baggs Jr., an athlete, actor, entrepreneur and motivational speaker, brought his message to an August 28 event to inspire and energize students before the fall semester.

Motivational speakers address campus at opening events

Along with a “State of UMES” address by President Juliette B. Bell, faculty and staff were also motivated at the Aug. 24 academic opening session

by Delatorro McNeal, a peak performance expert, keynote speaker and bestselling author.

School News

The Key / September 11, 2015

UMES seen across the globe this summer Colorado

While interning at the Broadmoor Golf Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., UMES PGA Golf Management student Blair Waters sampled some of the area’s adventure sports— whitewater rafting and being perched atop a mountain. Waters, left, along with another intern from Texas Tech are shown ascending a narrow trail on Pikes Peak, the highest (14,114 ft.) summit of the southern front range of the Rockies—surely a unique experience for a Floridian.

Bolivia Sporting a UMES American Marketing Association shirt, Dr. Monisha Das rides an ATV in the Andes Mountains outside Sucre, the judicial capital of Bolivia, South America. Das is an associate professor of marketing in UMES’ Department of Business Management and Accounting.

Ethiopia

At far right, UMES honors graduate Tibebe-egziabher “Tibebu” Abebe, (Class of 1999), interprets the Amharic language for President Obama’s state visit to Ethiopia July 28.

Jamaica

The 28-member UMES Concert Choir projects artful voices out over Kingston, Jamaica’s neo-byzantine Holy Trinity Cathedral while on a May tour of the island. “The acoustics are breathtaking... and I just love the reverb,” said Dr. Sheila McDonald Harleston, director. “This is the closest I have heard to Notre Dame (Paris, France).”

Massachusetts Wyntin Goodman, a junior at UMES studying environmental science and an intern with the Woods Hole (Mass.) Partnership Education Program works with Dr. Kenneth Foreman, a scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory, on a project to monitor how home sewers affect nutrient levels in the groundwater that flows into a pond. The project, Goodman said, is within his interest of water conservation and career goal of discovering new ways to purify sea water into drinking water. “Research on campus is interesting, but there is nothing like going somewhere else and experiencing science and meeting people from all over the country,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Falmouth Enterprise

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Athletics

Lady Hawks volunteer for Habitat for Humanity “We had a lot of fun learning new things, like using a saw. It also made us happy that we could do something for families in need by helping build their future homes.”

Senior Petra Jerabkova

UMES’ volleyball team volunteered 72 hours of service in one day to Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County, an organization that builds or renovates homes for people in need. Coaches, managers and members of the athletic staff also pitched in. The volunteers worked on homes being built for an elderly couple and their grandson, and a youth pastor and his family.

UMES student will serve as 2015 HBCU All-Star Salematou Traore, a pharmacy student from Laurel, Md., is among 83 undergraduate, graduate and professional students from 70 Historically Black Colleges and Universities who have been named 2015 All-Stars. The All-Stars are standouts academically and in their leadership skills and civic engagement.

Traore was selected from more than 450 students who submitted applications supported by a transcript, resume, essay and recommendations.

All-Stars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on HBCUs “by providing outreach and communication with their fellow students about the value of education and the role of the Initiative as a networking resource.”

Traore will represent UMES at the White House HBCU Week conference Sept. 21-22.

Move-in Day / continued from page 3

(degree) was in my future,” Savoie said.

Through a family friend, who happened to be a UMES student, she discovered the university might be a good fit for her.

After speaking with a UMES recruiter, she found the application process straightforward and an acceptance letter soon followed.

Reed, who was leaning toward attending a college in Delaware, also wrestled with the thought of paying out-of-state tuition. So Savoie persuaded Reed to apply to UMES even though it was late July.

Ahead of arriving on campus, they were so excited they created a before and now photo montage of themselves as young children and as young women about to embark on their college careers – together.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Reed said.

The two share the same goals: get good grades and grow as individuals. Savoie is majoring in English education and Reed in kinesiology, with a concentration in health fitness. They also share a sense of humor.

“We are yin and yang” Reed said.

Coincidentally, Reed and Savoie were assigned to Plaza Hall, but not as roommates. The two, however, will only be a floor apart.

School News

Programs aid UMES students interested in law school

By Dr. Theresa V. Queenan, director of UMES’ Career & Professional Development Center

The University of Baltimore School of Law operates two programs to assist students interested in law school to prepare for the Law School Admissions Test and law admissions process. There have been great success stories with the program as efforts expand each year. UMES students in all disciplines with a 3.0 GPA are welcome to apply.

The Baltimore Scholars Program is an elite program, which selects eight students from Maryland’s four historically black colleges and universities. The program goal is to prepare selected students to not only enter, but to excel, in law school. The eight scholars attend a twoweek “boot camp” in January, when they attend law school classes, write numerous assignments and meet judges and area lawyers.

When they return to their respective universities, students take an LSAT review course and mentor other students also taking the course. All costs for LSAT Prep, the LSAT and registration fees with the Law School Admission Council are paid by the program for the eight scholars.

Four of the eight students accepted into the Baltimore Scholars Boot Camp Program in 2015 were from UMES. La Tika Howard, Jon Mel Davenport, Asia Dabner and Asia Gibbs represented UMES. They recently took the LSAT and are awaiting their scores. We wish them luck.

UMES is making connections Reinvesting In Students’ Education (RISE) Reinvesting In Students’ Education is UMES’ new group of student ambassadors for the Division of Institutional Advancement and the university. Ambassadors will engage in activities that promote the understanding and importance of philanthropic activities such as the annual Phonathon. During the Phonathon, they will have the opportunity to connect with alumni while encouraging them to support student aid and scholarships. Call 410-651-6199 for more information or to join.

Hawks Of the Last Decade (HOLD) Hawks Of the Last Decade is a new university initiative to encourage young alumni to support their Hawks Of the Last Decade alma mater and begin building an impactful legacy. By donating a minimum of $8.33 a month ($100 a year), they can help ensure degree completion and reduce current UMES students’ debt. Funds raised will go toward scholarships, back bill costs and other student-centered projects. Interested alumni can go online at iaumes.givecorps.com to select a fund of their choice.

H.O.L.D.

Hawks celebrate College Colors Day A UMES student shows his Hawk Pride by sporting a school T-shirt. The campus community observed College Colors Day Sept. 4.

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Calendar

T H E UMES 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 the 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 FAX 410-651-7914 www.umes.edu Editors Gail Stephens, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Publications Manager Bill Robinson, Director of Public Relations Ashley Collier, Public Relations Assistant 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.