CAMPUS LIFE

Prodigal

on stage

Assistant professor teams up with ABS to bring gospel play drama to campus

Members of the community were treated to a heartwarming “dramedy” about faith, family, forgiveness, and the Father’s love this February.

With the help of the Association of Black Students (ABS), KerryAnn Zamore-Byrd, UMHB assistant professor and director of social work field education, showcased her playwriting skills when the group brought her gospel stage play drama, “Prodigal,” to UMHB.

Loosely based on the biblical parable of the prodigal son, her play explores the dynamics between two brothers and their aging father. It asks the question, 'Can we forgive the unforgettable?'

“I wanted people to laugh and cry and truly understand the depth of how far Christ went to save us from our sins—that He is an amazing father and that He loves us unconditionally,”

Zamore-Byrd said the sales proceeds of the UMHB event went to ABS, which originally invited her to share the play on campus two years ago, but it got postponed due to the pandemic.

“My company (KZAmore Enterprises) is faith-based, and the goal is to bring awareness and education and to share the word of God through the art,” Zamore-Byrd said. “I am thrilled and humbled to receive support from the community and am even more humbled that it’s right here at UMHB.”

Zamore-Byrd said. "I also wanted this play to impress on the hearts of the viewers that we should learn to forgive each other and have grace with each other because life is short.”

Zamore-Byrd wrote “Prodigal” two years ago at the onset of the pandemic.

“I thought of the many families who were isolated from each other and families who had lost loved ones with words unsaid,” she said. “I wanted to write something that would stir conversations of our faith, that no matter how far we think we have strayed, the Father is waiting with wide open arms for us to come home.”

Her play was initially performed in church and live-streamed for viewers to enjoy from home. All the cast members are war veterans giving back to their communities through their participation.

Pictured in top right, Kerry-Ann Zamore-Byrd, UMHB assistant professor and director of social work field education, prepares her cast and crew for the dress rehearsal of her gospel stage play drama, “Prodigal.” The Association of Black Students hosted the play at UMHB in February as part of Black History Month.

A Step Ahead

UMHB offering post-baccalaureate certificates

Employers see hundreds—sometimes thousands—of resumes for job openings. Having a specialized credential that immediately sets a potential candidate apart is a huge advantage. That’s why the McLane College of Business (MCOB) recently began offering post-baccalaureate certificates, in data analytics and non-profit administration and leadership.

“We’re seeing the importance of micro-credentialing on the rise in the job market, and our certificates allow students to take advantage of that trend,” said Megan Gill, graduate recruiting coordinator. “The certificate also gives students an additional credential on top of the bachelor’s degree without the fully immersive commitment of graduate school.”

Each certificate consists of four courses, and students have up to 12 weeks to complete each self-paced course. The courses are 100 percent online so that students can work through the material entirely on their schedules and at their convenience. Students earning one of these two certificates will also earn 12 hours of graduate credit which can be applied to a MCOB Graduate degree should they decide to pursue one.

“The course material is broken down into logical chunks that allow you to move through in a way that feels purposeful and engaging,” Gill said. “You feel the progress you’re making as you work through each course.”

Professors (called moderators) are still attached to each course so that students have guidance and feedback. Gill, who serves as the program coach, handles advising and course management, and Tesha Graham serves as the success coach handling engagement and communication.

Several types of students can benefit from post-baccalaureate certificates, including students who use the certificate as a bridge between their undergrad and graduate degrees.

“This is a great option for students unsure about the job market or those undergrads who are not getting the job offers/placements they were hoping for,” she said. “They can come in and work on their certificate on their own time and at their own pace, while still getting work experience and exploring the job market.”

She added the certificate specialization could help them land more interviews and open the door to more possible job options. If students want, they can continue on to the master’s program, and the certificate will count toward four classes, fulfilling their elective requirement.

Students enrolled in a MCOB graduate degree program can earn both a concentration and a certificate if they choose to pursue Data Analytics or Nonprofit Administration and Leadership.

“The students see the value in using their elective requirement to earn a secondary credential that highlights their specialization in a high-demand area, like data analytics,” she said.

Students can work on certificate classes in tandem with their regular fall and spring core courses, or do the certificate courses over the summer.

Earning a certificate on its own can benefit students already in the workforce, she said.

“Students hoping to add crucial skills to their resume are good candidates for the certificate,” she said. “Since it is fully online and fully self-paced, it fits in seamlessly with a full-time workload and family life. The certificate is a great way to get a bump on your resume without fully immersing into a graduate degree.”

Administrators are looking to add more concentrations and certificates in the future, said Dr. Jim King, professor and graduate program director.

“We believe these new programs are going to get students well prepared and really excited to move into these career arenas that industry is clamoring for these days,” King said.

To learn more about the certificate program, visit go.umhb.edu/graduate/ certificates or contact Megan Gill at mgill@ umhb.edu or 254-295-4884.

Putting a Spin on Club Sports

UMHB disc golf team competes nationally

UMHB has gained a new National Collegiate Division II disc golf team and club this school year, and the four-member freshman team has already seen some success.

Freshman Jaden Rye had seen various collegiate disc golf teams across Texas and has friends who play on a team at Texas A&M University. He wanted to start something similar at UMHB.

Jaden, who has been playing professionally for over a year, checked into the possibility of creating a disc golf team on campus. With the help of his friend, freshman Liam McCarthy, and Liam’s dad, Mike McCarthy, dean of student leadership and engagement, they created an official club team.

“Being able to play competitive disc golf here at UMHB is incredible!” said Jaden, who serves as president of the club.

Jaden and Liam scrambled to find two other players at UMHB to play at the state championship four weeks later.

After placing fifth out of 12 teams in Texas at the 10th annual Texas Collegiate Disc Golf Championship in November, Liam McCarthy, Jaden Rye, Josh Krieg, and Samuel Golovin qualified to go to the national tournament in North Carolina.

The Disc Golf Club is part of the UMHB Disc Golf team but does not require its members to compete. Any student who enjoys learning how to play disc golf can join just for fun.

Collegiate disc golf brings a whole new side to disc golf that you don’t see from regular tournaments.

“Collegiate tournaments are played as a team, and not only do you have to rely on your team to succeed, there is a lot of strategy that comes with it.”

Jaden said he is looking forward to potential new disc golf teams representing UMHB and having fun with this new club.

“Being able to represent UMHB and travel to tournaments and compete against other college students is amazing,” he said. “We all go out there and have a good time. It’s a great way to make friends, not only at UMHB but at other schools too, simply by getting together and throwing some plastic!”

Freshman Jaden Rye stands next to the disc golf basket where he just made a hole-in-one—also known as an “ace” in disc golf. At right, Jaden stands with fellow freshman team members, Liam McCarthy, Samuel Golovin, and Josh Krieg.

—Victoria Kuntz, student writer

Hundreds of UMHB’s biggest football fans joined together Feb. 8 at Crusader Stadium to celebrate an undefeated season that culminated with the team bringing home the NCAA Div. III National Championship title. The celebration kicked off when coaches and members of the winning team were greeted by excited fans as they walked through a spirit line onto the field with steamers flying, the band playing, and cheers erupting. After a short program, fans headed inside Bawcom Student Union to get autographs and photos with the players.

On Dec. 17, the Cru football team defeated North Central College 5724 in Canton, Ohio, to win the 2021 Stagg Bowl. The Cru ended the season with a 15-0 record in 2021, reaching the team’s goal of 20 wins during the 2021 year. It was the Cru’s second national title since 2018.