COMMUNICATION
IS
A newsletter for UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends
THE March 9, 2012
CIRCLING
THE
WORLD
Dr. Juliette B. Bell appointed president of University of Maryland Eastern Shore Bell is accomplished academic leader and biochemist Dr. Juliette B. Bell, a senior administrator at Central State University, will be the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s next president. Patricia S. Florestano, the new chair of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, announced the appointment Wednesday. Bell, 56, is provost and vice president for academic affairs at the Wilberforce, Ohio, institution and her appointment at UMES is effective July 1, 2012. "I am extremely delighted and humbled to be selected as the next president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a great institution,” Bell said, adding, “I thank the Board of Regents and Chancellor (William E.) Kirwan for this opportunity and this singular honor." Bell, a biochemist, is recognized for increasing the number of minority scientists. She has dedicated much of her career to providing opportunities for students to participate in scientific research. Bell “has an impressive record of outstanding leadership in many areas,” Florestano said, “including enhancing academic excellence, creating opportunities to attract research and private support, and nurturing pathways of success for students. The board is confident that she
will serve the university, our system and our state extremely well in the years ahead.” Bell has 20 years of higher education experience, spanning teaching, research and administration. As Central State University’s academic chief since August 2009, she oversees the academic agenda, including improving student performance, developing new programs and enhancing academic excellence. She restructured Central’s academic colleges to create a College of Science and Engineering, developed a designated academic unit to support retention efforts targeting freshmen and transfer students, oversaw implementation of the university’s first online courses and enhanced international education programming. Before joining Central State, Bell was interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Winston-Salem State University. During a six-month assignment, she secured an endowed professorship in physical therapy as well as implemented an academic program review. “As an academic leader, (Dr. Bell) has increased student retention and graduation rates and promoted academic excellence across disciplines,” Kirwan said. “As an accomplished scholar and scientist, she has the experience needed to further align UMES’ academic, research, and BELL / continued on page 6
Celebrities earn honorary degrees from UMES Students work at annual fundraiser for scholarship fund Photo by Jim Glovier
Five celebrity guests were recognized for their public service and career accomplishments in a brief ceremony that kicked off the UMES Gala Saturday night. But the big excitement came immediately after the event when former 5th Dimension lead singers Billy Davis Jr. and Marilyn McCoo – still wearing academic robes – joined
Marilyn McCoo
S. Epatha Merkerson
Larry King
Tippi Hedren
Billy Davis Jr.
in with members of the UMES Gospel Choir in an a capella version of "Stoned Soul Picnic." McCoo said their trip to Maryland's Eastern Shore is a first. But the couple, who have been married for 40 years, are longtime supporters of the United Negro College Fund, an organization of private, historically black colleges and
CELEBRITIES / continued on page 6
INSIDE
Page 2 Golf Leader Visits Alumna Lends Expertise
Page 3 STEM Opportunities FLIC Introduces Program Q&A with Chad Dailey
Page 4-5 Homecoming
Page 6 UMES Cheerleaders MEAC’s Best
Page 7 Artist Reception Katsucon
Blood Drive Residence Life Hosts Students
Page 8 Calendar of Events Dinner Theatre Date Set Mother Daughter Banquet
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The Key / March 9,, 2012
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UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
National golf leader calls on PGM students Allen Wronowski, the 37th president of the PGA of America, visited the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Feb. 21 to meet with students enrolled in the Professional Golf Management program. Wronowski, who is the PGA director of golf at Hillendale Country Club in Phoenix, Md., near Cockeysville in Baltimore County, observed a class taught by Chris Prosser and later met with all 46 PGM majors. Director Billy Dillon says the program is on schedule to produce its first class of graduates this December. He characterized Wronowski’s visit as an honor for the fledgling academic program. “We were really excited to have him come see us and talk with our students,” Dillon said. UMES is among an elite group of 20 colleges and
Allen Wronowski
universities authorized by the PGA to offer an undergraduate degree that combines instruction in the hospitality industry as well as the sport of golf. UMES’ PGM program is the only one of its kind at a historically black institution. Wronowski also spoke with a reporter from The Daily Times about a PGA initiative to attract more young people to the game. “I love seeing the future of the PGA of America,” he told the newspaper. “… being around the kids and being able to share some of my 37 years of experience … hearing their thoughts, their optimistic hopes for the future, their concerns.” Wronowski has held the president's post since November 2010.
UMES alumna lends expertise to students A home-grown celebrity made a difference at UMES the week leading up to the 2012 Gala. The Department of English and Modern Languages launched its first lectureperformance with a featured artist-in-residence, UMES alumna Starletta DuPois. DuPois sang with
the UMES Gospel Choir and performed excerpts from her onewoman show, “Order My Steps,” a series of vignettes featuring African-American women across several generations – including some inspired by family members. She finished off the 75minute program at the Student Services Center Theatre with a brief lecture offering words of advice and inspiration to the gathering of 100 students, faculty and staff.
Senior Amber Russell, an English major from Chicago, said DuPois’ performance and message were “inspirational. Her message reached me. ‘Keep pushing forward. Don’t give up.’ It’s good advice.” DuPois, a veteran of the stage and screen, said she is energized by the opportunity to work with undergraduates at her alma mater and to convey the importance of determination and hard work, DuPois said. “People are not going to hand
success to you,” she said. “You have to work for it. Being good at something is often not good enough. You have to be the best.” Freshman criminal justice major Eboni Brown of Baltimore said the characters that DuPois portrayed demonstrated “strength grows from struggles. It was a very powerful message. I’m glad I came.” DuPois, one of the university's most ardent supporters, returned to Princess Anne for homecoming festivities. She lent her expertise as a guest lecturer by speaking to fine arts classes throughout the week and mentored students— working closely with Dr. Della Dameron-Johnson. Photo by Jim Glovier
UMES PEOPLE
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UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
NASA and UMES expose STEM students to opportunities
NASA Wallops Flight Facility Director Bill Wrobel meets with Shanyce Stewart, a sophomore from UMES majoring in electrical engineering.
The Richard A. Henson Honors Program and the NASA Wallops Flight Facility recently hosted a speed networking event in recognition of Black History and Engineering months. Some 25 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students and faculty from the university and NASA engineers participated. The event provided “a tremendous opportunity for our students and faculty to learn about internships and collaborative projects that could expand our professional networks within the local STEM workforce,” said Denise Meade, director of the Honors Program at UMES. Students were divided into sessions based on their major to meet oneon-one with NASA project managers to discuss future workforce needs and research projects. "Events like this allow us to form collaborative relationships with students and faculty at UMES,” said Brenda Dingwall, NASA equal opportunity manager at Wallops. “It is our hope that these relationships will lead to an increase in internships and projects for the students.”
FLIC conversation partners enhance learning A new program—Conversation Partners—was introduced in the Foreign Language Instructional Center (FLIC) in February, which happened to be Discover Languages Month. A “conversation partner” is a native speaker who meets with students outside of class, Tammy Gharbi, acting program coordinator for FLIC, said. “They discuss a variety of everyday topics, giving the student time to practice their language skills and learn more of the culture.” The program began this semester for students in Chinese 101/102 and Arabic 101/102. Students meet with their conversation partner a minimum of one hour each week, Gharbi said. Plans are underway to add more languages to the program. FLIC is more than a state-of-the-art classroom, Gharbi said. “It’s a program that supports foreign language instruction in a number of ways. The Conversation Partner program is one more opportunity for UMES to use its Title III resources to give students an advantage when it comes to developing language proficiency and cultural awareness.” FLIC is part of the Department of English and Modern Languages.
Chang Liu
Aweng Parek
Q&A with PGA Golf Management major Chad Dailey Chad Dailey is a 34-year-old senior from Salisbury, Md. Dailey, a PGA Golf Management major, has recently accepted a position as an assistant professional at the Bay Club in Berlin, Md. Why were you interested in the PGA program? I was looking for a new career after I had retired from the Maryland State Police. I heard about the program and immediately enrolled. How long have you been interested in golf? I have loved playing golf since I was 14-years-old. How does it feel to be one of the first graduates of the PGA program? I can't wait to walk across the stage and start my new career in the golf
industry as a PGA professional. It has been an unbelievable experience—a long journey going back to college with 20year-olds! What advice do you have for future PGA students? Take each semester one at a time. I was able to do it while working full time and being a husband and father of two children. So if I can do it with all the extra responsibility, a young motivated individual should have no problem. What have you learned from this program? I have learned a lot from Chris Prosser and our program director Billy Dillon, and I still have a lot of learning to do after I graduate. This program would not be where it is today if it wasn't for the efforts of these two PGA professionals. Their dedication and the knowledge they bring to the classroom has been a valuable learning experience.
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HOMECOMING 2012
The Key / March 9,, 2012 UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
The Key / March 9,, 2012
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UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
One of this year’s Grammy nominees for Best New Artist, J Cole, performs as the headliner at the homecoming concert.
A group of UMES students celebrate a friend’s birthday at the homecoming concert. Photo by Alverne Chesterfield
Photo by Alverne Chesterfield
Showing their “Hawk Swag” at the pep rally are UMES’ vice presidents with the Interim President Dr. Mortimer Neufville. Pictured from left, are: Dr. Ronald Forsythe, Gains Hawkins, Dr. Ronnie Holden, Neufville and Dr. Anthony Jenkins.
The UMES cheerleaders are all smiles despite bitter temperatures at the homecoming parade. Photo by Alverne Chesterfield
Photo by Alverne Chesterfield
Look closely and you might see the VP’s and Dr. Neufville join students and alumni in “The Wobble” at the pep rally. Photo by Jim Glovier
UMES’ dance troupe, The Diamonds, pave the way for the Thunderin’ Hawks pep band during the annual homecoming parade.
UMES alumna and actress Starletta DuPois (center) joins fellow alumni in some of the “Old School” chants.
Students of the Human Ecology Club strutt down the UMES catwalk during the fashion show—another homecoming tradition.
A step-dancing team shows its stuff at one of the popular events for homecoming—the step show. Photo by Jim Glovier
Photo by Jim Glovier
UMES’ Royal Court glides down Somerset Avenue in Princes Anne.
Photo by Alverne Chesterfield
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ATHLETICS
The Key / March 9,, 2012
UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
HAWK TALK
UMES cheerleaders are among MEAC's best in 2012 Senior Adrian Gibbs is the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's best cheerleader and helped the University of Maryland Eastern Shore squad win top Co-Ed Division honors Sunday in the 2012 MEAC Cheerleading Championship. Those achievements propelled the Hawk cheerleaders into a second-place finish in the overall performance category behind Morgan State University. The cheerleading championship was the opening event at this week's 2012 MEAC Basketball Tournament held at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C. According to MEAC championship organizers, the Lady Bears captured first-place "overall performance" honors for the second consecutive year. Howard University finished third in overall team performance. Morgan State, with 10 seniors, also won in the All-Girls Division. UMES' win in the Co-Ed Division was a first for the university. South Carolina State earned the silver and Florida A&M finished in third. Gibbs, a 23-year-old exercise science major, won the individual gold in the All-Star Division, while Morgan State's Amanda Ross was second and Carmen Blunt of Hampton was third. “This team has come a long way” Gibbs said. “I've never been on a team that worked so hard and deserved this more.”
OVERALL PERFORMANCE 1st place: Morgan State University 2nd place: UMES 3rd place: Howard University CO-ED DIVISION 1st place: UMES 2nd place: S.C. State University 3rd place: Florida A&M University ALL-STAR DIVISION 1st place: Adrian Gibbs, UMES 2nd place: Amanda Ross, Morgan State University 3rd place: Carmen Blunt, Hampton University
BELL / continued from cover
CELEBRITIES / continued from cover
outreach activities with the workforce and economic development needs of the Eastern Shore and the state, especially in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.” Kirwan noted Bell is also a successful grants writer and fundraiser who “brings expertise in attracting outside resources and developing partnerships that are so critical, especially during these difficult economic times.” An Alabama native, Bell was the first in her family to attend college, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Talladega College. Her Ph.D. in chemistry with a biochemistry concentration is from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta University) and she did post-doctorate work in biochemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “I look forward to working closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni and the Board of Visitors; the greater community of business and government leaders; the University System of Maryland administration and colleagues; and the entire state to continue building upon the tremendous 125-year legacy of UMES,” Bell said. Dr. Mortimer Neufville has served as interim president and will continue in that position until Bell joins UMES in July. “We are grateful to Dr. Neufville for his excellent service during this period,” Kirwan said. “Under his capable leadership, UMES has continued to move forward.”
universities. UMES is a public historically black university. "It is an honor to have been chosen to receive an honorary doctorate degree," McCoo said. "I am impressed with the history of the university. We have been involved with UNCF since the 5th Dimension years. I know UMES is a public university, but we appreciate what (HBCUs) stand for." McCoo and Davis received (honorary) Doctor of Humane Letters degrees, as did actress S. Epatha Merkerson, known for her role as Lt. Anita Van Buren on TV's "Law & Order," and former CNN host Larry King. Actress Tippi Hedren, known for her roles in two Alfred Hitchcock films, "The Birds" and "Marnie," was awarded the honorary Doctor of Public Service degree for her longtime commitment to humanitarian, environmental and animal conservation causes. This year's event — which had the theme of "Lights, Camera, Action!"— involved about 200 students working before and during the event, which raised money for the university's scholarship fund. Guests at the gala munched on 13 different hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hour and placed bids on silent auction items. Dinner in the Student Services Center ballroom included cream of collard soup, champagne lobster salad, mushroom-stuffed filet mignon with a curried seafood cup and corn pudding, blackberry-lemon tart with raspberry sauce and wine. All of the food was prepared by students in the Department of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Other students, such as the members of the Drama Society, gave musical and theatrical performances. Honors Program members were on hand to greet guests and work at the auctions. This article originally appeared in The Daily Times, a corporate sponsor of the 2012 UMES celebrity Gala, and is reproduced with permission
SCHOOL NEWS
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UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
Artists mingle at Mosely Gallery reception
Artist Nina Buxenbaum discusses her painting “The Real Me?” with Christopher Harrington, interim chair of the Department of Fine Arts at UMES.
Artists Nina Buxenbaum and Zoe Charlton of the “Fair and Lovely” exhibit in the Mosely Gallery mingled with university supporters, alumni, students and faculty at a reception during UMES’ Homecoming 2012 festivities. The artwork was also fitting for the observation of Black History Month. Buxenbaum and Charlton, AfricanAmerican artists, both address questions of identity, femininity and race in the exhibit on display through March 15. Buxenbaum, who idenifies herself as biracial, explores race and personal identity in her images of a “topsy-turvey” doll. Charlton examines interpretations of beauty and skin color in her sketches of fashion plates without faces or exposed skin in the series “We’ll have a black one one day.”
Members of the Princess Anne Chapter of the LINKS (from left) Sharone Grant, Tselate Talley and Diane Mitchell greet artist Zoe Charlton (second from left). The LINKS sponsored the “Meet the Artist” reception for the Black History Month-Homecoming exhibition.
Sequential arts students exhibit at convention
Harley Quinn, the Joker’s girlfriend, poses with Brad Hudson, instructor in UMES’ Department of Fine Arts, at the 2012 Katsucon.
UMES’ sequential arts students showcased their talents and networked at the Katsucon 18, a fan convention for the latest in comic book art and animation, held at Prince George’s County’s National Harbor. The Feb. 17-19 event was a two-year dream that came to fruition for the talented artists in the popular UMES program. “Katsucon is an epic anime/manga convention,” said Brad Hudson, an instructor in the university’s Department of Fine Arts and catalyst for the concentration. “The convention is wildly popular and competition for space in the Artist’s Alley is great.” Hudson said the convention was the first of its kind that his “animated troop of Earnest Browning budding sequential artists” have participated in. They normally attend western/American works on a piece of sequential art at the comic book conventions, but he wanted to “meet the demand and interests of the UMES display at the students.” Katsucon’s Artist Students worked diligently to promote the university and the department, Hudson Alley. said. They also sold their own works and made connections with other artists and professionals within the field. Hudson and the sequential art students are preparing for the upcoming summer convention circuit, including appearances at Wizard World Philly, the Baltimore Comic-Con and the New York Comic-Con.
Campus community donates blood to drive Codjo Gbedo, a junior from New Carrollton, Md., donated blood on Valentine’s Day in conjunction with a Kappa Alpha Psi community service project. The Blood Bank of Delmarva, which partnered with the fraternity, reported that it collected 43 pints of blood from the UMES community.
Residence Life hosts students Residence Life presenters, Clifton Harcum, Larita Hugee and Ayanna Tilghman (top row pictured from left) are pictured with students and staff from the HEY program.
UMES’ Office of Residence Life and Life Skills Academy team members recently hosted students and staff from Worcester County's “Helping Empower Youth” (HEY) program. The high school students toured the campus and listened to motivational speeches on the importance of a college education, honing life skills and setting goals. HEY committee members include members of Worcester County’s Youth Consortium and the Sand Castles Runaway and Homeless Youth Program.
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The Key / March 9,, 2012
& Entertainment
*Unless stipulated, all events listed are FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
2012 CALENDAR
For Athletics, visit www.umeshawks.com
Arts S
PRING MARCH
28* Jazz Ensemble Concert 7 p.m. Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts “Guest instrumentalist Duane Eubanks” $7 general, $5 seniors, $3 students with ID 410-651-6571 29
Opening Reception 4-6 p.m. Mosely Gallery “Fine Arts Student Show” Exhibition of student art on display through April 12 Gallery hours: Mon. through Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 410-651-7770
APRIL 1 Concert Choir Concert 4 p.m. Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts 410-651-6571 14* Military Recognition Dinner 6 p.m. Student Services Center Ballroom “Duty, Honor and Country” $45 per person, $500 per table of 10 • 410-651-6277 Proceeds benefit Silver Star Scholarship Fund
SAVE THE DATE
19-21* Dinner Theatre Advanced tickets required • 410-651-6230 19 Art Exhibit thru 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon. - Fri., Mosely Gallery 5/17 “Graduating Senior Show” • 410-651-7770 22 Honors Band and Choir Concert 4 p.m. Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts 410-651-6571 24 Jazz Combo and Chamber Concert 7 p.m. Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts 410-651-6571 26* Imani Winds Concert 7 p.m. Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts The five-member guest instrumental group will also hold a master class at 11 a.m. $7 general, $5 seniors, $3 students with ID 410-651-6571 The KEY is published by the Office of Public Relations in the Division of Institutional Advancement. 410-651-7580 410-651-7914 fax www.umes.edu Editors Gains B. Hawkins, Vice President for Institutional Advancement William Robinson, Director of Public Relations
April 19-21
UMES Dinner Theatre “Do You Remember?” A musical revue of Dinner Theatre performances from 2000 to 2011 Tickets on sale soon!
Gail Stephens, Assistant Director of Public Relations Ashley Collier, Public Relations Assistant Design by Debi Rus, Rus Design, Inc. Printed by The Hawk Copy Center
Submissions to The KEY are preferred via email. All copy is subject to editing. The KEY is delivered through campus mail. Call 410-651-7580 to request additional copies. The Key is written according to the Associated Press stylebook.