The Key March 15, 2019 Edition

March 15, 2019

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

Ivy League educator will be UMES’ next provost A senior administrator at Yale University who is currently the Ivy League school’s director of Faculty Teaching Initiatives will be UMES’ next chief academic policymaker.

Dr. Nancy S. Niemi joins President Heidi M. Anderson’s cabinet July 1 as provost and vice president for academic affairs. Her appointment completes five executive searches overseen by Anderson since she took office Sept. 1.

Niemi has 30-plus years’ experience as an educator, including from 2009 to 2015, professor, chair and education department dean at the University of New Haven. Across town, she has worked the past four years in Yale’s provost office serving some 4,000 faculty members in 12 professional schools focusing on strategic development of programs across academic boundaries.

She has directed development of degree programs and curriculum as well as worked with colleagues to help them develop innovative teaching strategies. She also has been involved in a broad spectrum of community

service experiences.

UMES, Niemi wrote in her application cover letter, “represents the kind of school that, for me, defines what higher education should be: publicly funded, fiercely student-centered (and) committed to harnessing the world’s curriculum to be the lever by which students can change their lives.”

She began her career in 1984 teaching English and social studies in Horseheads (N.Y.) Central Schools near Elmira.

Anderson noted Niemi’s work as president of the Colleges of Teacher Education in Connecticut offered her opportunity to advocate for public and private school colleagues as well as work with the state’s school board and legislature.

A year ago, she completed an invited fellowship at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she lectured, taught and conducted workshops on the intersections of gender, race, and leadership.

Niemi holds two degrees from the University of Rochester; a bachelor’s in English literature and a doctorate in education (with a concentration on curriculum and instruction), and a master’s in education from Elmira College.

Doubling up on public policymaking

INSIDE

The Brown sisters of Laurel – Keriesha and Teneisha – have both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly covered.

The UMES alumnae are working as interns in Annapolis during the 2019 legislative session as they weigh graduate school options; Keriesha in the office of state Sen. Melony Griffith and Teneisha in Del. Erek Barron’s

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Twin Alumnae in Legislature cont. $45K at half court

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Alumna & the Grammy Awards Addis Abba Delegation visit UMES Math Honor Society

Teneisha and Keriesha Brown

office.

The Democrat lawmakers represent districts in Prince George’s County, which the Browns also call home.

The twins had little interest in state government until a year ago.

They participated in a statehouse rally in support of historically black institutions organized by TWINS / continued on page 2

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What A Lady: Dr. Mary Fair Burks

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UMES Alum at PGA HQ

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Bowling Team wins championship New Softball Coach Named UMES Track Results

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WESM Collaboration 2019 Spelling Bee winner

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Arts & Entertainment Calendar

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The Key / March 15, 2019

Circling the Oval

TWINS / continued from cover

UMES’ Student Government Association.

“Everyone was so into their jobs,” Teneisha said. “It made me curious about what really goes on behind the scenes.”

Keriesha came away struck by the passion of those engaged in public affairs as well as the facts behind the debate over state funding for public colleges – especially historically black institutions.

“I felt like I wanted to learn more, and maybe work in some way to do something about it,” Keriesha said.

As both completed work on their criminal justice degrees, the Browns saw a bulletin board notice about Annapolis internships posted by Dr. Emmanuel C. Onyeozili.

“We realized it was an opportunity to get more actively involved” in public policymaking, Keriesha said.

Since starting their jobs in early January, the Browns have celebrated a birthday – they’re 23 – and have gained a greater appreciation for the legislative process.

“I wonder sometimes how they get things done in 90 days,” Teneisha said. “There are so many important things that need to be looked into, and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of time.”

Del. Barron said Teneisha “has been a

$45K at half court Anthony Jones (Left, Class of 1974) stepped onto the Hytche Athletic Center court March 7 with a giant check symbolizing a generous $45,000 donation to his alma mater, and challenged peers to join him in support of the university.

pleasure to work with … and certainly fits well in our fast-paced, drama-free environment. We appreciate her help responding to constituents, preparing for hearings and generally keeping the office organized as we work to give all Marylanders the best opportunity to succeed.”

Keriesha has attended committee meetings and learned “there’s a whole lot of information to take in. It can be overwhelming at times. I’m

in awe of how they do it.”

Sen. Griffith said, “I am delighted to have such a hard-working, dynamic and well-prepared intern. Keriesha has been a tremendous asset and a key contributor to our team. The fact that she, like my oldest son, is a Hawk is icing on the cake.”

Keriesha said she is enjoying the internship experience “so far. It got busy here very quickly.

You really have to manage your time wisely.”

Observing lawmakers, Teneisha said, has taught her the importance of listening carefully and “the art of asking good questions.”

Teneisha said she’s also impressed by how engaged and knowledgeable Barron’s constituents are in topics they’re interested in advocating for or opposing.

“If I wasn’t working here,” Teneisha said, “I wouldn’t know how to reach out. I didn’t know I could.”

Keriesha has her eye on earning a master’s degree in public affairs, which she hopes will lead to a government job. Younger sister Teneisha – by just five minutes – is interested in a graduate degree in human resources.

“I really like working with people,” Teneisha said. “This (intern) job has shown me that. I’ve learned to communicate better and manage my time – and multi-task.”

UMES People

Addis Ababa University Delegation visits UMES

(L-R) Meeting in J.T. Williams Hall, UMES Chief of Staff Dr. Robert Mock, acting Provost Dr. Rondall Allen, AAU Academic Vice President Dr. Jeilu Hussein, UMES President Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, AAU Dean of College of Education and Behavioral Studies Dr. Kelil Kedir, International Programs director and agricultural economics professor Dr. Emmanuel Acquah and agricultural economics professor Dr. Stephan Tubene.

Leaders from Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa University (AAU) spent four days acquainting themselves with UMES counterparts and programs within the university’s School of Education, Social Sciences and the Arts.

“We are hoping to create a center of excellence for teacher leadership,” said Dr. Jeilu Hussein, AAU’s academic vice president. “We hope to build a relationship/partnership with UMES for leadership and teacher development at our institution.”

Dr. Emmanuel Acquah, international programs director and agricultural economics professor, and Dr. Kimberly Whitehead, office of international development programs’ coordinator, organized the delegation’s visit. UMES will continue talks that both institutions are hopeful could lead to a formal partnership.

Upsilon Pi Epsilon honor society returns

The Key / March 15, 2019

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UMES Alum & the 2019 Grammy Awards Jennifer Udechukwu, a Maplewood, NJ native, served backstage on the styling team for the Grammy award-winning rap artist Cardi B at the 61st Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. At the Feb. 10 event, Cardi B became the first female rap artist to win the award for best rap album of the year. Udechukwu, a 2014 graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree in human ecology (fashion merchandising) at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Jennifer Udechukwu (’14) adjusts Cardi B’s dress ahead of her historic Grammy win at LA’s Staples Center.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has revived its international honor society chapter for students majoring in “the computing and information disciplines” after a six-year hiatus.

Twenty-one UMES students are now members of Upsilon Pi Epsilon following an induction ceremony held in conjunction with a jobs symposium that brought industry professionals to campus in early November.

UMES math and computer science department faculty organized a two-day celebration that featured panel discussions on resume writing and interviewing tips along with tips on searching for federal government job openings.

Dr. Urban Wiggins and Dr. Tiara Cornelius worked with the Association of Computing Machinery to bring in representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Air Force along with industry counterparts such as Capital One and Lockheed Martin to participate in “The Big Sell” event.

Calvin Mills, a chief executive officer of two tech companies and a 2018 honoree as one of Black Enterprise magazine’s 100 Men of Distinction, was the keynote speaker.

Upsilon Pi Epsilon was founded in 1967 for students and faculty members “who exhibit scholastic and professional achievement in the computing science curriculum,” according to Wiggins and Cornelius.

Undergraduates must have 60 credit hours with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

Graduate students need at least 15 credit hours and cumulative GPA of 3.5 to qualify for membership.

“All students are vetted by the department (faculty) and must receive approval,” Wiggins said.

UMES’ Delta chapter members are: Hilda Agbre, Godfrey Agwaze, Daniel Akinsola, Morgan Branch, Chukwujekwu Oku, Andy Escobar, Timesha Frank, Daevon Greene, Bruce Houedenou, Ehigie Irabor, Emmanuel Isidahomen, Jamok Kim, Nikita Koene, Million Negewo, Chioma Nkpuechina, David Nwogu, Niyah Pack, Kevin Ringgold, Michael Simpson, Esther-Kyndia Tanyi and Samson Tsegaye.

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The Key / March 15, 2019

School News

Mary Fair Burks

An old-school professor who shaped the civil rights movement The late Mary Fair Burks was in finding other employment. an imposing, willful presence on The Martin Luther King Jr. Research the University of Maryland Eastern and Education Institute at Stanford Shore campus for more than a University maintains an online archive quarter century. where a copy of his reply reads, in part, Burks came to Princess Anne “… I will do all that I possibly can to in 1960 to teach English after being assist you and your colleagues in getting pressured to resign from Alabama work for the Fall. My contacts are not State College, her alma mater in great,” he wrote, “but at least I do have Montgomery, where she had been some and I will be using the contacts I a prominent foot soldier on the have to the highest degree.” front lines of the nascent civil rights How Burks landed on her feet at movement that emerged in the then-Maryland State College in the fall 1950s. of 1960 is unclear, but the previous A decade before, Burks cospring King had been the school’s founded the Women’s Political commencement speaker.

Council, a group historians credit Burks “was very fair – a caring, as a driving force behind a 1955 sharing person,” said LeRoy Wainwright municipal bus boycott that focused (1965). “She knew each of us as national attention on the day-to-day individuals. You could go to her at any indignities of segregation in the Jim point and talk with her.”

Crow south.

Pat Hopkins Alexander (1969) The face of the Montgomery bus boycott used three words to describe Burks: “tough as “We had the was Rosa Parks. One of the boycott’s biggest nails.” best of the advocates was a young, charismatic minister Then, Alexander smiled and added, “But of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Burks best. Mary you knew she cared about you, and she had our was a parishioner.

Fair Burks – respect.”

According to Coretta Scott King’s book, Viola Hall Mason (1967) recalls Burks what a lady.”

“My Life with Martin Luther King,” Burks taking students to New York to see Broadway LeRoy Wainwright reportedly said upon meeting her husband: (1965) plays. Others remember Burks inviting women ”You mean that little boy is my pastor? He students to her home near campus on Sunday looks like he ought to be home with his mamma.” afternoons, where etiquette lessons were the order of the day.

Burks “thought he could not possibly have anything to say that would UMES alumni who had Burks as a teacher don’t recall her sharing interest her,” Mrs. King wrote, “but when she heard him, she was deeply much in class about her previous life as a civil rights activist traveling in the impressed.” same circles as Parks and King.

The Kings and Burks forged a bond that became a catalyst for change, Burks retired from UMES in 1986 and her July 21, 1991 obituary says but not without sacrifices. she was awarded professor emeritus honors in recognition of her long Burks’ role in the bus boycott and support for sit-ins and other tenure. She was believed to be in her late 70s. protests that followed angered Alabama’s white civic leaders. Burks “We had the best of the best,” Wainwright said. “Mary Fair Burks – reached out to King, a pastor in Atlanta in 1960, with a letter seeking help what a lady.”

School News

The Key / March 15, 2019

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Meet Jasmin Cunningham, PGA Inclusion & Diversity Intern for the PGA of America

By Charles Dillahunt, PGA of America Inclusion & Diversity

UMES alumna Jasmin Cunningham is on a quest as the PGA of America Inclusion & Diversity Intern to inspire more people of color to get involved in the game of golf. After all, she has followed an inclusive path to the game herself.

When she was 10, Jasmin’s father enrolled her in The First Tee of Atlanta, beginning a golf journey that has taken her to membership in the PGA of America.

“I started to like golf more, because of my experience with The First Tee of Atlanta, and it gave me the chance to meet many different coaches—one of them being Daryl Batey,” she said.

Batey, also a PGA member, suggested Jasmin attend the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s PGA golf management program, one of 18 accredited institutions in the country. Knowing a career in hospitality was her dream, Batey advised that UMES could provide a pathway through golf.

“As Jasmin’s golf coach, we always talked about more than just her golf swing,” Batey said. “When she was competing in high school, our conversations began to center around what her ’next steps’ were going to be.”

Cunningham was a recipient of the Reneé Powell Foundation Scholarship, which provided her with the opportunity to attend UMES and graduate in December 2018.

“I wouldn’t have attended Maryland Eastern Shore if it wasn’t for Daryl,” Cunningham said. “I was able to attend the only (historically black institution) with a PGA golf management program, which was very important for me. To be … surrounded by others who looked like me in the game was vital and made my experience more enjoyable.”

Cunningham was a member of UMES’ first women’s golf team, which competed in the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (then known as the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship).

During Championship week, Cunningham connected with Scooter Clark, PGA—the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship Manager for the PGA of America, who coached the men’s and women’s teams at BethuneCookman University to 10 Collegiate Championships. At the time, Cunningham was an intern for Titleist, and she asked Clark to let her know about opportunities at the PGA. When an intern position opened up at PGA Headquarters, she applied for the job. It was a natural fit.

“It’s important that we expose more people of color to people like

Scooter who have higher positions within the PGA of America,” said Cunningham, 22. “It will serve as motivation for many other young men and women.”

She regularly handles administrative tasks for the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, which will be held May 9-12 at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Cunningham is utilizing her history of networking with college golf coaches to recruit more teams to compete in the Championship.

“I get to see a side of the PGA of America’s Inclusion & Diversity department that people on the outside don’t,” she said. “This department is dedicated to growing the game in inclusive ways, and I’m so glad that I’m a part of it.”

Cunningham is also passionate about the PGA’s emphasis on bringing more youth, women and people of color into the game.

“Growing up, there weren’t very many women of color to play golf with,” she said.

“It was hard for me to deal with, and I’d love to make sure that no one will ever have to go through that again.”

It’s a part of Cunningham’s plan to inspire golf’s next generation.

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The Key / March 15, 2019

Athletics

Wisconsin grad Karla Powell named Hawks’ softball coach

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s athletics department announced earlier this month it has hired Karla Powell to be head softball coach.

Powell was an assistant at five institutions across a variety of levels since her playing days as an all Big-10 performer ended in 2012 at the University of Wisconsin. Most recently, she was an assistant at George Mason University 20 miles from her hometown, Ashburn, Va. “I am thankful for this opportunity to coach at Maryland Eastern Shore,” Powell said. “I think we can be competitive, energetic and confident. But mainly I want to have the program have a strong family aspect around it.”

UMES conducted a national search for the university’s first full-time softball coach in 14 years, and Powell rose to the top of the candidates. She replaces alumnus Sam Douglas, who served two stints as a part-time head coach over 13 seasons.

“We are excited about what Coach Powell will bring to the program from her experience as a Power Five conference player - and as a young coach who can relate to our players and give them the best academic and athletic experience possible,” UMES athletics director Keith Davidson said.

Powell signed a four-year contract to give her ample time to build the program.

“Starting as a player and through my coaching career to this point,” Powell said, “I have always enjoyed seeing a program grow and create a strong culture, so helping build programs is in my blood and I think we can do something special here.”

Bowlers win regular season MEAC crown

The UMES women’s bowling team ended its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season play with a flourish, racking up enough wins – and pins – on the final weekend of competition to finish in first place.

The Hawks struggled early on at the second and final MEAC meet Feb. 23, but the next day found their way.

UMES (57-35, 13-5 MEAC) rolled through Baker competition, topping North Carolina A&T State 964-939 and followed that up with a 1,012877 win over Florida A&M. After a high-scoring bye of 1,005, UMES pushed on to wins against Delaware State (956-930) and Morgan State (993-905).

Over five Baker matches, the Hawks’ average score of 197.2 propelled them to the regular season title and top seed in the conference championship

tournament next weekend.

The team’s strong second-day performance in Greensboro, N.C. pushed its two-day average to 189.0 for the two-day event.

After the first MEAC regular season meet in early November, UMES stood in third place for the regular season. The Hawks finished conference competition with a total pinfall of 17,485 in 95 games for an average of 184.05.

The Sunday, Feb. 24 effort was enough to propel UMES past defending conference champion North Carolina A&T State by 55 pins. The Aggies averaged 183.47 and will be the No. 2 seed at this year’s championship, followed by No. 3 Delaware State, No. 4 University of Alabama-Birmingham, No. 5 Monmouth and No. 6 Howard.

Track trio earns All-East honors Three UMES track & field athletes who competed in 2019 IC4A/ECAC (indoor) Championship March 3 all scored points in their event finals.

For their efforts, the trio earned ECAC All-East Team honors.

Sophomore Janoi Brown (right) took fifth place in the men’s 400-meter dash. For the third straight race, he set a new personal record (PR) with a time of 47.50 seconds, two seconds faster than his time from the MidEastern Athletic Conference (indoor) Championships.

Brown now ranks sixth in the conference in that event.

Another new indoor PR was set by senior Luan Gabriel. She finished eighth in the 200 meter with a time of 24.38 seconds. It was the third straight event where Gabriel has set a personal record.

In the triple jump, freshman Attinuke Shittu earned a mark of 12.05 meters to place seventh. The jump ties her second-best effort on the season.

Outdoor season begins this week at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

School News

The Key / March 15, 2019

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WESM looks to broaden its audience and listener support Delmarva’s three university-based public radio stations expect to make a decision soon on whether to formalize an agreement with the goal of gauging whether collaboration would make them a more prominent broadcast source of entertainment and news.

Operators of FM stations WESM (91.3), WSCL (89.5) and WSDL (90.7) are looking for ways to work together to boost listenership, reduce expenses and create a broader, more effective network of underwriter support.

The evolution of new electronic platforms and the 2010 incursion into the local market by Washington, D.C.’s National Public Radio affiliate has diluted support for both stations licensed to Salisbury University, and WESM, which is licensed to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Representatives of the three stations began exchanging ideas a year ago in search of a common path to streamline delivery of public radio formats, maximize and expand revenue opportunities while also attracting a greater share of listeners across the peninsula, including Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Public presentations on the status of collaboration talks were made in mid-February at Salisbury University and in Rehoboth Beach, where Delaware’s coastal resort towns are seen as untapped markets for listeners and support.

“People understand that our public radio community is better served by the Delmarva stations working together rather than competing. And we are in

King bee

(L-R) Dr. Urban Wiggins, Marilyn Buerkle, Dr. Joshua Wright and Ashley Collier, all Maryland Eastern Shore Regional Spelling Bee volunteers, pose with 2019 champion Austin Loar, a Salisbury Middle School sixth-grader and the ubiquitous one, Hun E. Bee.

a better position to grow by working together,” said Gerry Weston, WESM’s station manager.

WESM’s format features jazz music with four on-air daytime hosts while Salisbury University’s two stations emphasize classical music and delivery of local news and interviews. All three also provide morning and evening news programming produced

by National Public Radio.

A small audience of public radio supporters who gathered in Salisbury were told the three local stations have complementary management and operation structures and the key to collaboration is finding a way of take advantage of those individual strengths.

Presenters avoided using the word “merger,” because as Weston said, the talks are not focused on that as an outcome.

Karen Olmstead, Salisbury University’s provost who is involved in negotiations, said both parties are looking at a three-to-four year period of combining resources by tapping into “more efficient use of leadership (and personnel) skills” and an “effective use of fund-raising and selling underwriting.”

Weston said a key to making collaboration work is a greater emphasis on more live presentations of programming and local news. He also sees tapping students at both universities to provide them access to hands-on experience in all aspects of broadcasting.

The goal, Weston said, is “raise the listenership of all the stations. We’re very excited about the potential. I think it’s time.”

MARCH Women’s History Month*

“Celebration of Women: A Series of One-Act Plays”

29 & 30 7:30 p.m.

31 2 p.m.

Black Box Theater, Wilson Hall 2nd floor $5 general admission / Free for students w/ ID Tickets must be purchased in advance.

UMEStickets.com

MARCH

APRIL 26 27

Springfest

11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Student Services Center Courtyard UMES Open House and Carnival. Prices for food determined by visiting vendors.

410-651-6411 (Admissions) 410-651-6434 (Carnival)

Community Players of Salisbury*

2 p.m.

Ella Fitzgerald Center for Performing Arts The community theater company presents “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” a one-act play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes and memory covering all the important subjects.

All tickets are $10.

Call 410-546-0099 Written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman

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UMES Concert Choir Performance

4 p.m., Ella Fitzgerald Center for Performing Arts UMES Concert Choir presents “Motown to Madrigals,” a program

spanning the ages with a special tribute to Aretha Franklin, the

Queen of Soul.

410-651-6572

The Key / March 15, 2019

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