THE HAWK FLYER IS BACK! UMES | ALUMNI NEWS | NOV 2021-FEB 2022
The UMES Alumni Newsletter “The Hawk Flyer is back and better than ever! This newsletter is made by UMES alumni for UMES alumni. We plan to bring you the latest in UMES news, Athletics, National Alumni Association updates, HBCU legislation news, alumni events and more!
"Spring has Sprung.... Fall is BACK!" Hawkcoming 2021 brought Hawks back to the nest from Sunday, November 7, 2021 until Sunday, November 14, 2021. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore monitored the coronavirus (COVID-19) and made the UMES community safety the top priority. All ticketed events required masks and proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. continued on page. 7
But we also need your help! We’re seeking writers, photographers, and other marketing professionals to join the UMES Alumni Association’s Marketing Committee. If you are interested email us at umesnaa.marketing@gmail.com. We look forward to sharing a myriad of stories from University history to alumni highlights and we encourage alumni of all ages to get involved. In the meantime, follow us on social media @UMESNAA on Twitter, @officialumesnaa on Instagram and Facebook. We can’t wait to share the accomplishments of our Hawks, so be sure to submit noteworthy news about yourself and fellow UMES alumni with us via email umesnaa.marketing@gmail.com, subject line: ATTN: Alumni News.
Vol .01 Newsletter
PRESIDENT SECTION Greetings Hawks, It has been my pleasure serving you first as your 2nd Vice President, overseeing Membership, and now as your NAA President. I serve alongside some very dedicated Hawks that volunteer their time due to their overwhelming love for our alma mater. We thank you for your patience as we work to bring you structure, improved communications, growth in membership, events that scream HAWK PRIDE and for some, an organization that you can be proud of and trust again. I would like to thank the NAA Board of Directors for their amazing work as well as our committees. I would like to also extend a huge thank you to everyone serving in some capacity within their local alumni chapters. I would like to extend a thank you to our donors and to PNC for a flourishing partnership. The Board of Directors are looking forward to growing this non-profit so we certainly appreciate all of the feedback. As your NAA President, I am solution-focused so we look forward to hearing solutions as well. In this moment I pause to recognize all of our Fallen Hawks. There is peace in the promise that life is everlasting and one day we will see our Hawks again. My heart goes out to our Hawks that have suffered a loss and to our UMES staff that most recently suffered a loss as well. See you at the next event, Hawks! Teonna L. Wallop, President (Life Member) University of Maryland Eastern Shore National Alumni Association
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NATIONAL & CHAPTER EVENTS
BALTIMORE ALUMNI CHAPTER On December 7, 2022, Baltimore Alumni Chapter hosted a Holiday Bowling Party/Toy Drive at Woodlawn AMF Bowling Alley in Gwynn Oak, Maryland. They then delivered the toys to Baltimore City Hall where they would be later dispersed to families.
GREATER ANNAPOLIS ALUMNI CHAPTER In November 2021, Greater Annapolis Alumni Chapter conducted a Cash Calendar Fundraiser with 1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes. The grand prize was $500.00. All proceeds benefited their scholarship program for Anne Arundel County Graduating Seniors accepted to UMES and Returning UMES Students from Anne Arundel County.
SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA ALUMNI CHAPTER On January 24, 2022, Southeastern Virginia Alumni Chapter launched their 2022 Scholarship application encouraging high school seniors and current UMES students from Southeastern Virginia and surrounding areas to apply by April 1, 2022.
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SOUTHERN MARYLAND ALUMNI CHAPTER, INC. Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter, Inc. adopted four (4) Student Hawks during their Adopt-A-Hawk initiative on December 17, 2021. The initiative was started to bring awareness to the homelessness among college students. After delivering gifts to the university, they fed approximately forty (40) students that remained on campus for the holidays.
From February 17, 2022-February 20, 2022, Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter, Inc. hosted Hawks in Cancun, Mexico for their inaugural "Hawks Take Flight" international trip. They were able to recruit a high school senior from Houston, Texas interested in Track & Field.
TRI-COUNTY ALUMNI CHAPTER Tri-County Alumni Chapter presented 40 students that remained on campus for the Christmas holiday with food bags on December 17, 2021.
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA ALUMNI CHAPTER Washington Metropolitan Area Alumni Chapter hosted its monthly membership drive at Crofton Bowling Alley in Crofton, Maryland for the months of December 2021 and February 2022. 4
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
UMES NAA in conjunction with Office of Alumni Relations, Office of Student Experience and Student Government Association hosted an alumni reception for new 2020 & 2021 UMES graduates on December 16, 2021 in the SSC Multipurpose Room directly following commencement rehearsal.
On January 31, 2022, the National Alumni Association Homecoming & Special Events Committee returned home to the Hawks Nest in partnership with Project Hygiene, Inc., to kick off the 2nd Annual “Welcome Back Hawk Day.” 3rd Vice President, Anshay Tull, Alumna Ricki Reavis and Alumnus Anthony Murrill, distributed goodie bags, hygiene products and greeted the current Hawks, staff and faculty with some Alumni cheer to kick off the academic spring semester. Thank you to all the local chapters who donated items to make this another successful Welcome Back Hawk Day.
On February 12, 2022 UMES NAA hosted a tournament dinner celebration to honor our Women's Bowling Team during the James Brown Invitational at AMF Towson Lanes in Towson, MD. The NAA worked closely with Baltimore Alumni Chapter to ensure a successful event. 5
UPCOMING EVENTS April 1, 2022: NAA candidates seeking election will be announced. April 9, 2022: Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter, Inc. hosts a Free Fitness Marathon sponsored by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and in partnership with the Charles County Department of Health. For more information visit their website at www.umessouthernmarylandhawks.com. April 14, 2022: Washington Metropolitan Area Alumni Chapter will host its monthly membership drive at Crofton Bowling Alley. For more information contact Anthony Murrill at x2repinc@yahoo.com. April 30, 2022: The NAA retreat will be held at UMES in the Henson Center for all Hawks that hold an office within their local alumni chapters. This is also Springfest so be on the lookout for more information. All Hawks should mark their calendars. May 1, 2022: Last day to vote in the NAA election. May 10, 2022: NAA newly-elected officers announced. May 20, 2022: NAA in conjunction with the UMES Office of Alumni Affairs will host its annual Alumni reception to welcome new student hawks to the alumni world. Details will be released soon and will be available on the website at May 28, 2022: University of Maryland Eastern Shore Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter, Inc. will host its annual party bus to the Linganore Wine Festival in Mt. Airy, Maryland. Details are coming soon but for more information, please visit their website in the coming weeks at www.umessouthernmarylandhawks.com. June 2022: New NAA officers will be sworn in and will take their seats on July 1, 2022. June 12, 2022: Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter, Inc. & Washington Metropolitan Area Alumni Chapter team up to bring you, "Hawk Night with the Washington Mystics". For more information, please visit www.umessouthernmarylandhawks.com. June 25, 2022: Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter, Inc. is encouraging all Hawks that enjoy walking or running to register for the annual DC HBCU 5K/2K. All HBCUs will be represented so they are calling all Hawks to the pavement! This is a hybrid event. For more information, visit their website at www.umessouthernmarylandhawks.com. July 1, 2022: The 2022-2023 membership year begins and $30.00 annual dues are due. To pay your national dues, please visit www.umesnaa.org/join and log in under "Already a Member". If you are new to paying dues, select your alumni category and you will be able to pay. July 31, 2022: Greater Annapolis Alumni Chapter brings you one of the most highlyanticipated events of the year with their Crab Feast. More details will follow. September 2022: Our Alumni House returns to us! November 10, 2022-November 13, 2022: HAWKCOMING!!!! Homecoming dates have been confirmed as the second week of November for 2022 & 2023. The host hotel will be Courtyard Marriott by Salisbury. Details on hotel room rates will be made available soon.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
Class of 1999 alumna Ayesha Coker has been named Vice President, Marketing of Atlanta-based Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA).
Class of 1985 alumna Latina “Tina” Wilson, UMES NAA Life Member, 1st VP of UMES Southern MD Alumni Chapter, Inc. and member of UMES Board of Visitors was named the vice chairperson of the Board of Education of Charles County.
Class of 2004 alumna Lakina Simpson joins the cast of Ready to Love making her the second Hawk on the show. Alumnus, Corey Belin was on last season.
Class of 2002 alumna Shannon Sneed is a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland.
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