A newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends
Saludos desde Salamanca A highlight of Webster’s two-week stay in Spain was a visit to the Aqueduct of Segovia, built by the ancient Romans.
INSIDE
The service learning trip to the Dominican Republic organized by the Richard A. Henson Honors Program I took a year ago greatly impacted me and motivated me to experience it again this past January. One thing I took away from this experience is how much WE impact THEM. All of the students and teachers there remembered me from last year. They were so excited to see me again, and really gave me an extra warm welcome along with the other students who also went last year. We talked about how Dominican Republic students look up to us American students, and find us inspiring and interesting people and role models. After this second visit, I truly believe this statement and received double the
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Woods Named Main Street President Johnson Showcased at Mosely
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The Legacy of Mack Alston Cropper is Eastern Shore Golf Hall of Famer
Spending winter break in the Dominican Republic
February 9, 2018 ¡Hola! I am a strong believer that learning never stops. Though school was not in session in January, breaks are prime opportunities to pursue your interests and get outside your comfort zone. For the past two winter breaks, I have used that free time to travel abroad. In 2016, I spent time in Shanghai, China studying marketing in east Asia and engaged in other enriching activities. This year, I visited Salamanca, Spain for two weeks and participated in an intensive Spanish-language program with International Students Abroad (ISA). ISA believes the best way to learn a language is through practice. We spoke Spanish at WEBSTER / continued on page 5
amount of attention and care from the people there. Another thing I think we took away, especially those who went for the first time, was how grateful we should be for modern conveniences we have in the United States. Simple things like hot showers, and being able to flush a toilet. It was a shock to some of my fellow firsttime travelers. It made us realize how good we have it - and how we should think about how lucky we are before complaining about every little thing that doesn’t go our way. We discussed the rankings of countries in terms of happiness. Dominican Republic was in the 40s, while United States didn’t make the top 100. We concluded the reasons for this dealt with DOMINICAN REPUBLIC / continued on page 7
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Concert Choir Performs UMES Students to Attend Ag Outlook Forum in D.C.
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Toxicology Student is a Delmarva STEM Catalyst Brown Serving as Interim Dean Library Gets New Roof
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Maryland Eastern Shore Sports HOF Bowties & Tennis Shoes Invitation
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Ward Museum Art Show Wang Receives Recognition Advocacy Day in Annapolis
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A&E Calendar
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The Key / February 9, 2018
Woods Named Main Street Princess Anne President
Circling the Oval Walter Woods, Coordinator for Outreach and Strategic Initiatives for UMES, has been named president of Main Street Princess Anne. Main Street Princess Anne enhances, preserves, promotes and facilitates growth in the historic downtown - fostering economic development, creating a vibrant atmosphere, and cultivating a sense of community. Over the past nine years, Main Street has focused on improving the appearance of historic Somerset Avenue, creating and assisting with community-wide events, attracting new businesses and bringing life to downtown Princess Anne. “As president of Princess Anne Main Street, it is my intention to create a collaborative environment that welcomes the community to our campus and a community that welcomes our campus into the community, while accomplishing our joint goals.” Woods said. With the 2015 opening of Hawk’s Corner in downtown Princess Anne, Woods has served as the university’s liaison to connect UMES to the town by sharing campus news with town officials as well as organizing events there that welcome the community, students, faculty and staff. In Aug. 2017, Woods moved to Hawk’s Corner at Somerset and Prince William full time to better serve the town and campus community from the venue.
Mosely Gallery Showcases Johnson for Black History Month In celebration of Black History Month, UMES’ Mosely Gallery is showcasing works from William H. Johnson, one of the great American artists of the 20th century. He is widely considered one of the most important AfricanAmerican artists of his generation. Johnson is known for creating innovative pieces with his trademark primitive style and use of bright color. The paintings are from the Smithsonian traveling exhibition and are on loan to UMES from Morgan State University through March 16. The Mosely Gallery is located on the upper floor of the Thomas & Briggs Arts and Technology Center on the campus of University of Maryland Eastern Shore. It is open and free to visitors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
UMES People
The Legacy of Mack Alston, UMES ‘71
Mack C. Alston Jr. (class of 1971) was a devoted and committed Hawk who over the years made regular contributions to his alma mater’s athletics program, the university’s Annual Fund and other campus initiatives. Alston passed away on Christmas Eve in 2014. He was 67. To honor his memory, Alston’s family is taking over his tradition of giving. “It is important for us to continue our dad’s legacy,” a joint statement from his daughter, Dr. Andrea Alston-Cope and son, Kevin Alston, says. “He loved UMES and would be happy knowing that UMES students will benefit from this fund.” The Alston family has created an annual scholarship fund for an incoming freshman from Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia or South Carolina. Born in Pawley’s Island, S.C., Alston played high school football in Georgetown about halfway between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. “Mack was a gifted football player in high school and many schools tried to recruit him, but he chose UMES,” said Dr. Rose Alston, his wife. He played collegiately alongside fellow South Carolinian Art Shell, the National Football League’s first African American head football coach, and became one of UMES’ football stars in his four years on the team. He graduated from UMES with a business administration degree. Alston was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1970 and played in the 1973 Super Bowl, which was won by the Miami Dolphins. He went on to play four seasons with the Houston Oilers and finished his 11-year football career as a tight end with the Colts when they played in Baltimore. He was a member of the football coaching staff at Howard University and coached at the prep level in Alexandria, Va., including at T.C. Williams High School, the inspiration for the film “Remember the Titans.” In the 1990s, he was one of the founders and served as director of the Art Shell Youth Camp and Clinic, where campers learned about football from NFL players as well as received tutoring in the use of computers and study skills. “We are most grateful to Mack’s family for providing support to UMES students,” said Dr. Veronique Diriker, UMES’ director of Development. “Each year, the family will make a $2,500 contribution for a deserving freshman.”
The Key / February 9, 2018
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Eastern Shore Golf Hall of Famer UMES men’s golf coach Marshall Cropper is among six people in the Class of 2017 inducted into the Eastern Shore Golf Hall of Fame. Cropper, who grew up in Accomack County, Va., is the first African-American to be so honored by the recognition program sponsored by Eastern Shore Golf Magazine. Proceeds from the Dec. 2 induction banquet at the Ocean City Golf Club, which attracted a gathering of 150 people including a contingent of UMES supporters, benefitted the university’s PGA golf management program. Golf management student James Robinson received a $2,000 scholarship during the ceremony. Cropper, a 1967 graduate of then-Maryland State College, studied physical education, played baseball and football – and found his interest in golf. Cropper played wide receiver for three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including one year under pro football hall of fame coach Chuck Noll. He found gratification playing golf during summer training camp in Latrobe, Pa., best known as the late Arnold Palmer’s hometown. Cropper fondly recalls using a driving range where he received tips from Palmer, widely considered the game’s most popular player. His encounters with the man affectionately known in golf circles as The King in the late 1960s paid off in the long run. Having a passion working with youth, he used golf as a tool to teach life skills, and also used golf as a fundraiser during his NFL days to finance youth camps. Following his stint in the NFL, Cropper eventually found his way back to Princess Anne, where he helped lay the groundwork for a degree program at UMES that would introduce more African-Americans to the game of golf. In 2008, the PGA golf management program was established, making the university the nation’s first historically black institution to offer a PGAaccredited degree. Cropper’s experience with fundraising continued to flourish with work for the Art Shell Golf Classic, an event that attracted a broad spectrum of golfers from all walks of life and introduced them to UMES. Now serving as head coach of his alma mater’s men’s golf team as well as the university’s Golf Academy coordinator, Cropper started a Hall of Fame Golf Outing this past fall. The star of the inaugural event again was Art Shell, his former Hawk teammate and a pro football Hall of Fame member. True to his fundraising roots, the proceeds were set aside for men’s golf. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s athletics Hall of Fame Cropper inducted in 1984 to for his contributions to the Hawks.
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The Key / February 9, 2018
School News
Celebrating Frederick Douglass Saturday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. UMES’ Concert Choir will perform hymns and sacred songs during “Joy Night” at Union Baptist Church in Easton, MD. This event is being held in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ birth in 1818 and is among many events celebrating the bicentennial of his birth. Under the direction of Dr. Devonna Rowe, the choir will perform works by African-American composers such as Duke Ellington, Moses Hogan, Rosamond Johnson and others. The UMES Concert Choir is made up of students with varying academic backgrounds who come together to represent the university with one beautiful voice. They have performed across the country and internationally to wide acclaim. Two UMES undergraduates are among 30 university students the U.S. Department of Agriculture has picked to attend its 2018 Agricultural Outlook Forum through the USDA Student Diversity Program. Sophomore Alexis Doon and senior Tobechukwu Opara will join 28 other undergraduates and graduate students later this month for a week in Washington, D.C. culminating in their participation in the USDA’s largest annual meeting Feb. 22-23 that is expected to attract more than 2,000 people. “These students are the next generation of agriculture, and it is important for the USDA to support their training as future agriculture professionals,” USDA Chief Economist Robert Johansson said. “At the Ag Outlook Forum, (they) will hear current leaders share their vision for agriculture as they begin to map out their own careers.” Doon and Opara, dean’s list students and members of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, credit UMES chapter adviser Karl Binns Jr. with encouraging them to apply, which included submitting an essay “on agricultural careers and challenges.” Opara, who is from Nigeria and majoring in biology, said, “I want to be part of that contingent that is going to help feed the world, especially in nations that need help producing food.” Opara says he has accepted a job offer to be a poultry plant operations manager with Perdue starting this summer. Doon grew up in the Washington suburb of Silver Spring and is studying agriculture. She hopes to go on to veterinary school. “I’ve always loved animals,” she said. “I felt agriculture was a major
I would enjoy because it would enable me to be around them, and learn how you raise them in a farm setting.” The USDA Student Diversity Program, now in its 11th year, gives undergraduate and graduate students real-world learning opportunities in contemporary agribusiness, scientific research, and agricultural policy. Forum participants major in agriculturerelated studies, including business, economics, communications, nutrition, food science, and veterinary studies. During their visit, Doon and Opara will take part in a USDA briefing and a discussion of career opportunities with agriculture leaders in academia, government, and industry. The Student Diversity Program is supported by academic and government institutions and corporations dedicated to promoting the education of the next generation of agriculturalists. This year’s sponsoring organizations include the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Farm Credit. USDA sponsors include the Agricultural Research Service; Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Office of Advocacy and Outreach; and the Office of the Chief Economist. The forum highlights key issues and topics within the agricultural community, offering a platform for conversation among producers, processors, policymakers, government officials, and non-governmental organizations, both foreign and domestic. Information from a Jan. 26 USDA press release was used in this report.
UMES students to attend Ag Outlook Forum in D.C.
School News
UMES toxicology student is a Delmarva STEM catalyst Robert W. Figliozzi is a doctoral candidate in toxicology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore looking to give the region at foothold in cutting-edge, bio-tech research. Under the mentorship of Dr. Victor Hsia, UMES Department Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Figliozzi has to his credit 10 coauthored articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The publications highlight their collaborative research work, which identifies suppressive mechanisms of herpes viruses by thyroid hormones. Hsia notes that Figliozzi also has found time to mentor and tutor dozens of laboratory science students in UMES undergraduate and doctoral programs. In addition to his scientific endeavors at UMES, Figliozzi has established Bio Research Solutions LLC, a company working to develop bio-technologies
The Key / February 9, 2018
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that can assist fellow researchers in the production of more meaningful and cost-effective research. His company has won two entrepreneurship awards from Salisbury University, the most recent in Nov. 2017 when it was awarded $20,000 for a project “to identify, track and monitor laboratory zebra fish” in pursuit of bio-tech research theories. Figliozzi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Salisbury University in 2011, where one of his early research interests was synthesizing potential compounds for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Through numerous grant applications and presentations, Figliozzi also is seeking funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense as well as investors to support his projects. He says it is his dream to enhance the collaborative relationship between science and business and expose students from both areas to each other to optimize the development of lifesaving, medical and scientific technologies. In October 2017, he also took on the job of laboratory manager and lead researcher for IES Life Sciences Inc., a start-up company that recently located in Cambridge in conjunction with the state of Maryland’s Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit program. IES’s focus is “using interferons to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases,” including work to develop minority health disparity diagnostic tools from technology it develops and licenses with NIH. Figliozzi said he is grateful for the opportunities and lifestyle the Eastern Shore provides him and looks forward to continuing to serve as an ambassador for the region and UMES. WEBSTER / continued from cover
Dr. Kate Brown is serving this semester as interim dean for the School of Business & Technology, taking over for Dr. Ayodele Alade, who announced in the fall his plans to return to teaching. Dr. Brown, who previously served as UMES’ business, management and accounting department chair, has been with the University for 13 years.
Frederick Douglass Library will be getting a new roof this spring – along with neighboring Wilson Hall – an undertaking that requires scaffolding encircling much of the three-story building. Just in time for the bicentennial of the Talbot County native’s birth in 1818.
home, in the classroom and with staff members. This was new to me and at times overwhelming. However, I experienced a dramatic increase in my Spanish proficiency. I am now a strong advocate for “jump in the deep end” or the deep immersion learning model to learn a language — no matter your level of proficiency with any language. In traditional beginner or lower-level language classrooms in America, we rely on English to learn new languages. This can be helpful, though it may hinder us from getting the active practice needed to make mistakes and ultimately learn. I came to realize that if you have an interest in learning a second language, supplementing American classroom experiences with a study-abroad program is crucial. The other exchange students and I were able to get not only a rich taste of the language in Spain, but of the food and other cultural experiences. The group I was in traveled to beautiful monasteries, cathedrals, castles, museums, gardens, other historical locations, and Segovia, a neighboring province. We ate traditional Spain dishes, walked breath-taking streets, and saw how Spaniards’ business and social cultures function. It was an invaluable experience personally and as a student interested in global business. Some unsolicited tips I would offer anyone planning on studying abroad: take risks, have stamina – it can be exhausting – document your travels well, properly plan, live in the moment and never think experiences like these are out of your reach! Minority students, especially those from historically black institutions, are dramatically underrepresented in study-abroad programs and there is a vast amount of resources that can be leveraged to broaden its appeal. ¡Adios! Ben Webster is a senior at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore studying marketing.
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The Key / February 9, 2018
Athletics
Six picked for Maryland Eastern Shore sports HOF Four former athletes are among six
also set a school record for the longest
Class of 2018 inductees to the University
javelin throw at 58 meters (since
of Maryland Eastern Shore’s athletics
broken), and is credited with hitting the
hall of fame.
longest home run in school history (495
The group includes Jessica
feet) while earning First-Team All-MEAC
Worsley, bowling, 2004-08; Tim
honors and UMES’ Male Athlete of the
Parham, basketball, 2003-06; Charles
Year in 2002.
“Chucky” Pickard, baseball, track
Fowler was a two-time First-Team
and field, and basketball, 1998-2002;
All-MEAC honoree and scored 1,179
Angela Fowler, basketball, 1989-1992;
total points over three seasons — fifth
Doug Dukes, assistant coach, bowling;
all-time in school history. She also ranks
and the late Gail Aiken in the athletic
fourth all-time in career points per game
staff / contributor category.
(14.0), fourth all-time in field goals
Worsley is the first member of the
made (488), and fourth in field goal
Hall of Fame to come from the school’s
attempts (1,280), fourth in points in a
storied bowling program. And with a
single season (521: 90-91).
resume like hers, it’s fitting that she is
Dukes coached bowling for eight
the first. She led the Hawks to their first
years as an assistant at UMES, winning
ever NCAA Division I Championship
four National Championships (2008,
final appearance in 2007 and first title
2011, 2012 NCAA and 2011 USBC) and
in 2008.
four MEAC Conference Championships.
Parham, a 6-foot-9 forward, came
Dukes played a vital role in increasing
to the Hawks from Chicago, played
player awareness and lane playability
three seasons for the Hawks and was
when it comes to game-day athletic
known for his rebounding, defense and
performance. Former coach Sharon
hard-nosed inside play. He finished
Brummell gives Dukes much of the
his career with 622 rebounds — the
credit for developing the National
most in school history since joining
Championship program.
Division I. By his junior season he was a
Aiken served on and led numerous
lineup fixture averaging 11.4 points and
committees that moved the university
8.6 rebounds. Parham had a 10-year
and Hawk athletics forward. She was an
international basketball career that
Eastern Shore athletics historian for 40
included stints in Poland, Germany,
years and was responsible for the Hytche
Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela,
Center’s Hall of Fame atrium design. She
Turkey and Canada.
also served as Director of Alumni Affairs
Pickard was a four-sport athlete best known for his play as a shortstop who batted .350 in his senior year
for Athletics in the early 2000s and worked in the sports information office. The Maryland Eastern Shore Hall
with three home runs, 28 RBIs, a .525
of Fame Induction event will be held
slugging percentage. In addition to
Feb. 23 in the Student Services Center
being a .327 hitter as a collegian, he
ballroom.
School News
The Key / February 9, 2018
7
Alumni artists extraordinaire, from left, Ernie Satchel (’63) and 1975 classmates Patrick Henry and Keith Whitelock at the reception for Henry’s 32-piece exhibit that debuted Jan. 26 at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury. The show runs through May 13.
Dr. Peter Wang is one of 14 HBCU researchers receiving recognition this month by the Black Engineer of the Year Awards program as a leading Science Technology Engineering & Math Innovator. Since joining UMES’ School of Pharmacy & Health Professions in 2016, his research focus has been on cancer genomics and how the disease disproportionately impacts minorities. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC / continued from cover
family, gratefulness/humbleness and ecological footprint. The Dominican Republic is a family-oriented country. Its people spend time with family, and having fun together - whether it be dancing, eating or playing a game of dominoes - is really important to them. They are grateful (for) and focus on the positive and what they have rather than what they don’t. The environment is another thing on their priority list. A mission of the school we worked with is teaching the community about the importance of taking care of the environment. The United States has A LOT we can learn from the Dominican Republic when it comes to happiness! One of the biggest realizations I came away with from both of these trips is that I absolutely love traveling - and the Spanish language, culture, and the people of the Dominican Republic. I know this will not be my last time in the Dominican Republic. I crave to be there again – to dance merengue, eat sancocho (a meat and vegetable soup) and play dominoes with the other students. I loved seeing my UMES classmates grow and experience this trip as well. I stay in touch with the students in the DR, and they are already asking me when I am coming back. I hope they realize how much of an impact they have on me, and I can only hope they feel the love and passion I have for them and their country as well. I struggle to find the right words to describe how amazing this country is, and how much the country and its people mean to me. They truly have a special place in my heart. Allyson R. McCullough is a sophomore from Crisfield majoring in exercise science.
Members of the UMES community, its friends and supporters talked up the university with state lawmakers this past Wednesday.
FEBRUARY
Art Exhibit Now Mosely Gallery through Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. March “William H. Johnson: An 16 American Modern.” 410-651-7770 www.moselygallery.com
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UMES Concert Choir Performance
4 p.m. Union Baptist Church, Easton, MD The UMES Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Devonna B. Rowe. 410-651-6574 or visit UMES.edu
*Unless noted, all events listed are free.
19-24 HOMECOMING
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SGA-Sponsored
Homecoming Concert*
7 p.m., William P. Hytche Athletic Center Hip-hop recording artists perform. Fee - TBD / 410-651-6434 or UMEStickets.com
Hall of Fame Ceremony: Bow Ties & Tennis Shoes* 6 p.m. Reception / 7 p.m. Program / 9-11 p.m. Concert and Dancing Student Service Center Ballroom Join our athletic Hall of Fame inductees and an evening of fun with “On The Edge!” $100 per person or $750 per table of 10 / UMEStickets.com
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Homecoming Tailgate*
10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tawes Parking Lot Application and $30 fee required per space. / 410-651-6434
Homecoming Basketball Games*
Noon-2 p.m., Old School Pep Rally, Tawes Gymnasium 2 p.m. Women’s/ 4 p.m. Men’s games / Doors open at noon William P. Hytche Athletic Center Homecoming basketball games vs Norfolk State University. $25 Includes both games/Free for full-time UMES students with ID
410-621-3311 or UMEStickets.com
Homecoming Step Show*
7 p.m., Ella Fitzgerald Center Greek-lettered organizations display their skills in the art of strolling. / 410-651-6434 or UMEStickets.com
The Key / February 9, 2018
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