It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to a new academic year at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). To our new students, I congratulate you on your admission and welcome you to UMB. In fact, I am joining you as a newcomer. This is my first year as the UMB president. We are recognized nationally and internationally for our academic excellence and vibrant interdisciplinary schools and programs. The education you will receive here is among the finest in the world and will prepare you to take your place as leaders and innovators in your respective disciplines. To our returning students, welcome back! I wish you continued success in your pursuit of academic and professional excellence. You have moved one step closer to achieving your goals; UMB’s faculty and staff remain committed to making your experience a rewarding and fulfilling one. UMB, for all of us, is a very special place. It is special because each of our graduate and professional schools is nationally ranked and attracts the best and brightest researchers, faculty, and students. We have harnessed these talents to successfully pursue competitive research funding. In fact, we are among the fastest growing universities in the nation for annual sponsored research dollars awarded.
As a student you have the opportunity, indeed a responsibility, to continue to build on our great traditions on and off campus. An important opportunity available to you is the time-honored tradition of student governance and cocurricular involvement—both of which are important avenues for ensuring the University’s strength and vibrancy. I encourage you to share your ideas about how the University could be made better through your involvement in student organizations, your school or program’s student governance, and the campuswide University Student Government Association. You will find that the newest addition to our campus, the Southern Management Corporation Campus Center (SMC), provides an ideal venue for interdisciplinary collaboration and involvement. The SMC Campus Center is designed to facilitate meetings with other students, faculty, staff, and alumni. With a fully equipped recreation and fitness center, swimming pool, elevated running track, dining options, conference and meeting rooms—and places just to relax—the SMC Campus Center is the perfect place to replenish your mind, body, and spirit in the company of others from across our campus. As we begin this exciting new year together, I extend to you my best wishes for a successful and enriching experience here at UMB. Sincerely,
Another factor that makes UMB exceptional is the fact that our excellence and commitment extend beyond our classrooms, laboratories, and clinics. As an urban public interdisciplinary institution, we are uniquely positioned to positively impact our surrounding communities—and we are doing just that. Our faculty, staff, and students volunteer countless hours toward community and civic engagement projects, and I look forward to enhancing these traditions by promoting interdisciplinary education and service learning initiatives.
Jay A. Perman, MD President