Dr. Freeman Hrabowski hosted the fourth annual 1966 Society dinner on September 15 in the University Center Ballroom Lounge at UMBC.  The 1966 Society celebrates those individual members who have identified the UMBC Foundation in their estate plans.

Before dinner, guests walked over to the Meyerhoff Building and toured the labs with Dr. William LaCourse, Dean of CNMS, and Zeev Rosenzweig, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, where they learned about the exciting research being done by UMBC faculty.

Some of the faculty — Dr. Marie-Christine Onuta, Dr. Marcin Ptaszek, and Dr. Ryan White — then joined 1966 Society members for dinner.

Please contact Kim Robinson at kim.robinson@umbc.edu if you would like information about estate planning.

Every so often, we highlight the importance of student scholarships by introducing you to the very students they help to succeed. Today, we’re featuring Bria Hamlet ‘15, who is an Alumni Association Scholarship recipient.

Name: Bria Hamlet
Major: Health Administration & Policy Program, Track II – Health Policy
Extra Curricular Activities: Peer Health Educator, President of the Women of Color Coalition
Scholarship received: Alumni Association Scholarship

Q: Why did you decide to attend UMBC?
My decision to attend UMBC was not an easy one, as I initially had my heart set on going out of state for college. I quickly learned that UMBC was not only a great place to study, but a perfect fit for me. I love being a Retriever and making the most of every day on campus. I fell in love with our school spirit, academic strength, and comfortable community. I can honestly say I would not want to be anywhere else.

Q: What’s been the most amazing discovery you’ve made so far as a student here?
The most amazing discovery I’ve made so far as a student at UMBC is my sense of unity with my fellow students. We’re all in this together, whether it’s overcoming our hefty workloads or bonding over a power outage on campus. I feel very at home here and hope many other students feel the same.

Q: Tell us about a class or club that has really opened your mind.
I have been a Peer Health Educator through University Health Services for three semesters. I am quickly approaching my fourth and final semester, as I am aging out. This program has really shaped both my experience at UMBC, but also my career aspirations and goals. I LOVE health education. I love helping other students feel empowered to take care of themselves, but also understand risk and make informed decisions. We put a lot of time and effort into creating fun and engaging programs for our classmates; we would not show them anything we wouldn’t sit through ourselves. I take so much pride in being a part of this amazing, elite group of students and I am grateful for every moment spent with them.

Q: How important is it to you as a student to get scholarship support?
Right before I chose a college, my parents and I had the talk about making wise financial choices. While there was never any doubt that I was destined to attend college, my parents had the foresight to avoid mountains of debt through going out-of-state. My decision to attend UMBC was the smartest choice financially, but that did not mean there were not struggles. I still have loans, I still worry about how I’m going to pay for graduate school, and I wonder why it costs so much to help people grow scholastically. However, this scholarship support shows me that their are great people out there who want me, as well as other students, to [succeed] too! It’s a great feeling and I plan to pay it forward someday.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at UMBC?
I am very, very proud of the work I put into building my GPA this past school year. Out of 10 classes, I received A’s in eight. I have always been studious, but I hit bumps in the road that no longer made my GPA a reflection of me. I have worked hard to pull it up, and will continue to do so in my final semesters here.

Q: What would you say to the people who provided your scholarship?
Thank you so much for seeing in me a student worthy of your support and kindness. I have never received a scholarship before and I am thrilled that you changed that for me. I will try my hardest to make you proud, and represent your alma mater in the best way I possibly can.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?
I plan to attend graduate school to obtain my Masters in public health. Afterwards I will gain my PhD in population, family and reproductive health. My short-term goal is to become a health educator, and my long-term goal is to open up my own non-profit healthcare center. I also hope to donate back to UMBC.

Support the UMBC Alumni Scholarships today!

Every so often, we highlight the importance of student scholarships by introducing you to the very students they help to succeed. Today, we’re featuring Bria Hamlet ‘15, who is an Alumni Association Scholarship recipient.

Name: Bria Hamlet
Major: Health Administration & Policy Program, Track II – Health Policy
Extra Curricular Activities: Peer Health Educator, President of the Women of Color Coalition
Scholarship received: Alumni Association Scholarship

Q: Why did you decide to attend UMBC?
My decision to attend UMBC was not an easy one, as I initially had my heart set on going out of state for college. I quickly learned that UMBC was not only a great place to study, but a perfect fit for me. I love being a Retriever and making the most of every day on campus. I fell in love with our school spirit, academic strength, and comfortable community. I can honestly say I would not want to be anywhere else.

Q: What’s been the most amazing discovery you’ve made so far as a student here?
The most amazing discovery I’ve made so far as a student at UMBC is my sense of unity with my fellow students. We’re all in this together, whether it’s overcoming our hefty workloads or bonding over a power outage on campus. I feel very at home here and hope many other students feel the same.

Q: Tell us about a class or club that has really opened your mind.
I have been a Peer Health Educator through University Health Services for three semesters. I am quickly approaching my fourth and final semester, as I am aging out. This program has really shaped both my experience at UMBC, but also my career aspirations and goals. I LOVE health education. I love helping other students feel empowered to take care of themselves, but also understand risk and make informed decisions. We put a lot of time and effort into creating fun and engaging programs for our classmates; we would not show them anything we wouldn’t sit through ourselves. I take so much pride in being a part of this amazing, elite group of students and I am grateful for every moment spent with them.

Q: How important is it to you as a student to get scholarship support?
Right before I chose a college, my parents and I had the talk about making wise financial choices. While there was never any doubt that I was destined to attend college, my parents had the foresight to avoid mountains of debt through going out-of-state. My decision to attend UMBC was the smartest choice financially, but that did not mean there were not struggles. I still have loans, I still worry about how I’m going to pay for graduate school, and I wonder why it costs so much to help people grow scholastically. However, this scholarship support shows me that their are great people out there who want me, as well as other students, to [succeed] too! It’s a great feeling and I plan to pay it forward someday.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at UMBC?
I am very, very proud of the work I put into building my GPA this past school year. Out of 10 classes, I received A’s in eight. I have always been studious, but I hit bumps in the road that no longer made my GPA a reflection of me. I have worked hard to pull it up, and will continue to do so in my final semesters here.

Q: What would you say to the people who provided your scholarship?
Thank you so much for seeing in me a student worthy of your support and kindness. I have never received a scholarship before and I am thrilled that you changed that for me. I will try my hardest to make you proud, and represent your alma mater in the best way I possibly can.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?
I plan to attend graduate school to obtain my Masters in public health. Afterwards I will gain my PhD in population, family and reproductive health. My short-term goal is to become a health educator, and my long-term goal is to open up my own non-profit healthcare center. I also hope to donate back to UMBC.

Support the UMBC Alumni Scholarships today!

Once a month, we’ll profile one of the amazing Phonathon students working in UMBC’s call center. This week, say hello to student caller Nate, class of 2016.

Nate is from Silver Spring, MD, and is working toward his degree in biochemistry. We sat down with Nate to get to know him a little better and here’s what we learned:

Q: Why did you choose to come to UMBC? 

A: UMBC is very diverse and its STEM courses are challenging.

Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of class?

A: I enjoy hanging out with my friends that I made here at UMBC and participating in the activities that are held on campus.

Q: What do you like best about being a student caller?

A: Being a student caller gives me the chance to talk with more people and also gain experience and knowledge from the alumni that I call.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: After graduation, I plan to go into research or go toward forensics.

Q: What do you enjoy most about UMBC?

A: I like attending class and getting to know my department professors.

Learn more about the UMBC Phonathon!

Once a month, we’ll profile one of the amazing Phonathon students working in UMBC’s call center. This week, say hello to student caller Nate, class of 2016.

Nate is from Silver Spring, MD, and is working toward his degree in biochemistry. We sat down with Nate to get to know him a little better and here’s what we learned:

Q: Why did you choose to come to UMBC? 

A: UMBC is very diverse and its STEM courses are challenging.

Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of class?

A: I enjoy hanging out with my friends that I made here at UMBC and participating in the activities that are held on campus.

Q: What do you like best about being a student caller?

A: Being a student caller gives me the chance to talk with more people and also gain experience and knowledge from the alumni that I call.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: After graduation, I plan to go into research or go toward forensics.

Q: What do you enjoy most about UMBC?

A: I like attending class and getting to know my department professors.

Learn more about the UMBC Phonathon!

Here in the Office of Institutional Advancement, we are always working hard to support the university and connect our donors with causes they care most about. We would like to introduce our donors — to whom we are so grateful — to the people who help make those things happen. Today, we’ll be hearing from Logan Wern, the Phonathon Coordinator.

Name: Logan Wern
Job Title: Phonathon Coordinator
Focus Area: I manage our call center, where current students are employed to call alumni, update their records and fundraise for UMBC.
Years at UMBC: About 1.5

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: North Canton, Ohio. O-H!

Q: What do you love most about UMBC?

A: The unique culture — learning is cool. Being “nerdy” is cool. I love that.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about your job?

A: The students! I am lucky to work with students every day. Their enthusiasm for learning and life in general always inspires me.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support UMBC?

A: Just look around. I haven’t been here long, but I know how much UMBC has grown and improved over the years. This wouldn’t be possible without support from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, the community, and friends of the university.

Q: What is a recent book you’ve read?

A: Gone Girl. Bizarre, but good.

Q: If you were an Olympian, what would be your sport/activity of choice?

A: Couples figure skating. I took ballet lessons for many years, so there are some similarities. Couples skating is mesmerizing — the way two people move so seamlessly and gracefully.

Q: Who do you admire and why?

A: My parents. They have been happily married for 27 years, which is amazing in itself. Individually, I admire my mom for her selflessness and my dad for his wisdom. I look up to them a lot.

Here in the Office of Institutional Advancement, we are always working hard to support the university and connect our donors with causes they care most about. We would like to introduce our donors — to whom we are so grateful — to the people who help make those things happen. Today, we’ll be hearing from Logan Wern, the Phonathon Coordinator.

Name: Logan Wern
Job Title: Phonathon Coordinator
Focus Area: I manage our call center, where current students are employed to call alumni, update their records and fundraise for UMBC.
Years at UMBC: About 1.5

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: North Canton, Ohio. O-H!

Q: What do you love most about UMBC?

A: The unique culture — learning is cool. Being “nerdy” is cool. I love that.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about your job?

A: The students! I am lucky to work with students every day. Their enthusiasm for learning and life in general always inspires me.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support UMBC?

A: Just look around. I haven’t been here long, but I know how much UMBC has grown and improved over the years. This wouldn’t be possible without support from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, the community, and friends of the university.

Q: What is a recent book you’ve read?

A: Gone Girl. Bizarre, but good.

Q: If you were an Olympian, what would be your sport/activity of choice?

A: Couples figure skating. I took ballet lessons for many years, so there are some similarities. Couples skating is mesmerizing — the way two people move so seamlessly and gracefully.

Q: Who do you admire and why?

A: My parents. They have been happily married for 27 years, which is amazing in itself. Individually, I admire my mom for her selflessness and my dad for his wisdom. I look up to them a lot.

Every so often, we highlight the importance of student scholarships by introducing you to the very students they help to succeed. Today, we’re featuring Jonathon Brewster ‘15, computer science, who is an Alumni Association Scholarship recipient.

Name: Jonathon Brewster
Major: Computer Science
Extra Curricular Activities: Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 355
Scholarship received: Alumni Association Scholarship

Q: Why did you decide to attend UMBC?
I decided to attend UMBC because of UMBC’s reputation for having one of the best STEM programs. I had discovered this because my brother, who also attended UMBC, had told me about these programs and how UMBC would be a great school for me to attend.

Q: What’s been the most amazing discovery you’ve made so far as a student here?
Computer programming and what I can do with it.

Q: Tell us about a class or club that has really opened your mind.
Introduction to Computer Science for beginners (CMSC 104) changed my life. Before that class I did not know what I was going to do with my life, and I had no major. Then Mr. John Park, professor of CMSC 104, showed me many great ideas with programming a computer. After completing this course, I now have a major and a dream to be the best programmer I can be.

Q: How important is it to you as a student to get scholarship support?
It is very important. Students don’t have a lot of money, and it’s hard to pay for college when you have little time for a job from all the classes you are taking. With scholarship support, I am able to keep paying my way to a better job through quality education.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at UMBC?
Finding my career path and getting good grades.

Q: What would you say to the people who provided your scholarship?
I would like to say thank you for helping support my future and keeping my dreams of being a great programmer alive.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?
I hope to go to graduate school to get my Master of Science degree in Computer Science. After completing my masters degree, I would like to work for Google to help with projects like the Google car.

Donate to our alumni scholarships today!

Every so often, we highlight the importance of student scholarships by introducing you to the very students they help to succeed. Today, we’re featuring Jonathon Brewster ‘15, computer science, who is an Alumni Association Scholarship recipient.

Name: Jonathon Brewster
Major: Computer Science
Extra Curricular Activities: Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 355
Scholarship received: Alumni Association Scholarship

Q: Why did you decide to attend UMBC?
I decided to attend UMBC because of UMBC’s reputation for having one of the best STEM programs. I had discovered this because my brother, who also attended UMBC, had told me about these programs and how UMBC would be a great school for me to attend.

Q: What’s been the most amazing discovery you’ve made so far as a student here?
Computer programming and what I can do with it.

Q: Tell us about a class or club that has really opened your mind.
Introduction to Computer Science for beginners (CMSC 104) changed my life. Before that class I did not know what I was going to do with my life, and I had no major. Then Mr. John Park, professor of CMSC 104, showed me many great ideas with programming a computer. After completing this course, I now have a major and a dream to be the best programmer I can be.

Q: How important is it to you as a student to get scholarship support?
It is very important. Students don’t have a lot of money, and it’s hard to pay for college when you have little time for a job from all the classes you are taking. With scholarship support, I am able to keep paying my way to a better job through quality education.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at UMBC?
Finding my career path and getting good grades.

Q: What would you say to the people who provided your scholarship?
I would like to say thank you for helping support my future and keeping my dreams of being a great programmer alive.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?
I hope to go to graduate school to get my Master of Science degree in Computer Science. After completing my masters degree, I would like to work for Google to help with projects like the Google car.

Donate to our alumni scholarships today!

Once a month, we’ll profile one of the amazing Phonathon students working in UMBC’s call center. This week, say hello to student caller Tauqir, class of 2016.

Tauqir is from Owings Mills, MD and is working toward his degree in biology and Psychology. We sat down with Tauqir to get to know him a little better and here’s what we learned:

Q: Why did you choose to come to UMBC? What do you enjoy most now that you’re here?

A: [UMBC] had a wonderful pre-med program and I particularly love the diversity on campus.

Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of class?

A: When I’m not calling at UMBC Phonathon, I enjoy playing badminton, reading, socializing with friends, and spending time with my family.

Q: What do you like best about being a student caller?

A: I love being able to talk to a wide variety of alumni and hearing about their experience at UMBC. It is also very interesting to hear about how the campus has changed throughout the years.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I plan on going to medical school, focusing on neuroscience and ultimately practicing neurosurgery. Eventually I want to study autism in children and how the brain is affected.

Learn more about the UMBC Phonathon!