IN THIS ISSUE Dean’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 New Dental, SOP Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Professor’s Musical Past Revived. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Employee of the Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Help for the Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
News for the Campus Community — February 2010
After being sworn in as chief, Antonio Williams (center) poses with Kathleen M. Byington, vice president of administration and finance, and John Geiman, associate VP.
Antonio “Tony” Williams took over as police chief and director of public safety at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) on Jan. 18. A Baltimore native, Williams, 46, retired from the Baltimore Police Department before serving as chief of police for Baltimore City Public Schools and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He is a member of numerous organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Williams sat down with writer
Chris Zang several weeks before taking his UMB post. The following are excerpts from that discussion. Question: You went to high school at Poly, earned an AA degree in law enforcement from the Community College of Baltimore, a BS in criminal justice from the University of Baltimore, and an MS in management from Johns Hopkins. Any other training we should know about? Answer: I’m a graduate of the 222nd section of the FBI
National Academy. I was very fortunate. Less than 1 percent of all active law enforcement people get to go through the FBI National Academy. People would probably also want to know that I have diversified experience in many areas of police operations. I’ve worked undercover, but I’ve also worked in hiring and recruitment. I’ve worked in internal affairs, and as chief of detectives I had 400 people under my command. But I think the greatest asset that I bring to the table is a passion for wanting to help people and to ensure their safety. Q: What was your tenure with the city police force? A: 1986 to 2005. Q: What was your rank there when you left? A: I was a colonel and I was chief of detectives. I retired from there to take a position as chief of police with the Baltimore City school system, where I worked from 2005 to 2007. Q: Then UMBC after that? A: Yes. Q: The difference between UMB and UMBC is only one letter. I’m
Medical School to Coordinate a Consortium of Stem Cell Experts Leigh Vinocur, MD
A School of Medicine researcher will lead the coordinating center for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium, a group of the nation’s most prominent scientists in the field of stem cell research. Michael Terrin, MD, CM, MPH, professor of epidemiology and preventive medicine, was chosen by NHLBI to coordinate the consortium’s research. The coordinating center will be funded by a $30 million grant over seven years. “This consortium was developed to bring together the best and brightest researchers from around the country, in the new and rapidly advancing field of stem and progenitor cell biology,” says Terrin. “They come from several specialties: cardiology, hematology, and pulmonary medicine. All are doing cuttingedge research in this exciting new field.” E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, vice president for medical affairs at the University of Maryland and dean of the School of Medicine, says, “We have the full resources of the University
of Maryland School of Medicine available for the benefit of this project, including a world-class Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.” Stem cells are uncommitted cells that can change into many types of mature functional cells and can divide indefinitely. Once stem cells start to commit to a cell type, they create progenitor cells, which are partly
Michael Terrin
committed regarding the kinds of cells they can become and how many times they can divide. One major goal of the research consortium is to use stem and progenitor cells in regenerative therapy to replace damaged tissues and organs. NHLBI officials say that by
sharing information and working together across traditional boundaries, consortium members will advance the field of stem cell and progenitor cell biology at a faster pace and realize the potential for new clinical therapies sooner. Terrin and his colleagues on campus have the formidable task of organizing the collaborative efforts of nine different research hubs in the consortium. “Our team of nationally known experts and the facilities at the University of Maryland School of Medicine made our proposal to coordinate this consortium unique,” Terrin says. “The resources here are wonderful. I know of no other university or medical school that I would rather have behind my efforts on behalf of this important project.” Reece adds, “Running the coordinating center of this consortium here is ideal since the state of Maryland provides the perfect supportive environment for stem cell research through its Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund.”
guessing that some of the things you achieved at UMBC you’re going to try to implement here. A: I look at this as quite a different opportunity than UMBC. My roots and the bulk of my police experience are certainly in an urban environment so I feel quite at home here. But one thing I would like people to know is that I won’t be looking to turn the UMB police department into the UMBC police department. It’s nice to get into an environment, really assess it, get to know the people, and learn what their needs are. Q: I probably wouldn’t be the first to tell you that you have some big shoes to fill with Chief Cleveland Barnes retiring. A: Oh, absolutely. Believe me, I know. I like the fact that he’s well-respected professionally but also well-liked personally. Q: It’s human nature to be a bit uncomfortable with change. Any assurances you can give to members of your police force? A: Sure, the message I would give to the police department is in the beginning do not expect
any drastic changes. It’s a quality police department. They do good work and we’re looking to build on that. What every person in this department, sworn or unsworn, will learn is that I will take time to get to know them individually and get to know their strengths, areas they can improve in, and what they bring to the table. But right upfront don’t expect any drastic changes. Q: Tell me about your family. A: I have two beautiful daughters, one is 20 and the other is 17. I’ve been married 22 years. Q: What type of reception have you been getting here? A: I’ve been very well-received. … I’ll tell you something you probably already know: Police are great at gathering information [laughs]. That’s what police do: They factfind. So police have already done their recognizance on me and the feedback has been positive. They say they like the idea that I’m approachable. For the entire interview, visit www.oea.umaryland.edu/communications/news.
USGA Holds Fundraiser for Haitian Earthquake Relief PATRICIA FANNING
About 150 people attended a Haitian relief event held by the University Student Government Association (USGA) on Jan. 22 at the Southern Management Corporation Campus Center. The USGA raised more than $1,200 in cash and collected about $1,000 in donated goods, according to Evan Cordes, USGA president. Joseph O’Neill, MD, MPH, the University’s director of global health initiatives and a visiting professor at the School of Medicine, spoke at the fundraiser.
O’Neill had been appointed by University President David J. Ramsay, DM, DPhil, to coordinate the campuswide response to the Haiti earthquake. O’Neill said he expects “a very long, sustained relationship between the University and the people of Haiti,” growing out of work conducted in Port-au-Prince by the School of Medicine’s Institute of Human Virology in partnership with Catholic Relief Services. Judith Kuzmak, a student at the School of Social Work, read a letter from another School of Social Work student, Blondine Alexandre, who has been active in Haitian earthquake relief efforts. Alexandre, who was raised in Haiti, described the beauty of the country. To see a video of presentations at the fundraiser, visit http://vimeo. com/8924480. For more University news regarding the Haitian earthquake, go to www.oea.umaryland. edu/communications/news/ index.html. To make a donation to relief efforts through the Maryland Charity Campaign, visit www.mdcharity.org/2009/ index.html. Patricia Fanning
Laura Kozak
Getting to Know the New Police Chief
Evan Cordes and Ashley Blanchfield, a student at the Dental School, sell tickets to the fundraiser.