A newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends
APRIL 2022
UMES honors convocation returns to in-person celebration 603 undergraduates saluted for stellar academic performances during calendar year 2021
It was a “Joshua” kind of day at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 69th spring honors convocation – with a Wicomico County twist for good measure. Senior Joshua Goslee of Salisbury was named the top student in the Department of Criminal Justice, while Joshua Todd of Fruitland, also a senior, received the Daniel J. Pinkett Award as the university’s top math student. Goslee wants to go to law school, so guest speaker Krystin J. Richardson’s personal story resonated with him. Richardson is an associate district court judge in Baltimore County, and a 2003 UMES honors graduate. In brief remarks to those gathered at the Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts, she talked about how perseverance and her faith were the touchstones that enabled her to get into and conquer law school. “I could really identify with her,” Goslee said. “I was inspired by what she said.” Richardson had stellar undergraduate credentials – an honors student (in English), a student organizations’ fixture and Miss UMES as a senior – but struggled to earn a score on the standardized exam to gain law school admission. Seven schools initially turned her down, she said. After a third time taking the test, she secured a seat in the University of Maryland law school, which proved challenging. She credits pep talks from a favorite UMES professor who stayed in touch as well as a law school professor, whose class she initially failed, as the motivation to stick with her goal of becoming a lawyer. “I share my struggles with you,” she said added, “to provide perspective on your journey.” Unlike some of his fellow Fasil Amado received the award of excellence honorees, Goslee was advised in the School of Business and Technology. he was under consideration for criminal justice program’s departmental honor so he was able to invite his parents and grandmother to share the moment. Page 2
Mid-Atlantic Civic Fellowship
Page 3 Fashion at UMES
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Administration News
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Students’ Spring Break in Dominican Republic
(L-R) Zoe Gobourne, Judge Krystin J. Richardson, Carmen Ramos, and Christian Ferguson.
Senior Zoe Gobourne of Silver Spring went home with two academic honors; the top student in the human ecology department and the School of Agricultural and Natural Science’s Award of Excellence. “I wasn’t expecting it,” said Gobourne, a dean’s list student who also worked 25-30 hours a week. “I’m really grateful. I’ve worked really hard, and it feels good to be honored.” Senior Christian Ferguson of Lanham was another double-winner at the honors convocation, which he first attended when he was a freshman – and before the pandemic disrupted the past two in-person ceremonies. The English major was named his department’s top student and the Award of Excellence winner for the School of Education, Social Sciences and the Arts. “I remember thinking at that first convocation it would be nice to be called up on that stage,” Ferguson said. “But, to be honest, this is a total surprise. It’s great to have such an honor.” Junior Rajan Bethea, an art major from Willingboro, N.J., said being named that department’s top student was “a total surprise. I’m shaking, but I’m good. I’m overjoyed.”
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Q&A with Vernajh Pinder
story continued on page 2
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Commencement Preview
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UMES Supporting Women in Entrepreneruship
Page 11 Athletics
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Sen. Sarbanes Tribute & Sen. Van Hollen Visit