New Media Studio Captures Leadership Award for Digital Storytelling Efforts

UMBC’s New Media Studio has won a Centers of Excellence Award from the New Media Consortium (NMC), the highest honor bestowed by the NMC. Given annually, the Studio received the award for “leadership in capturing and disseminating digital stories across the institution.” Studio Director Bill Shewbridge, Video Producer Paul Iwancio and Multimedia Designer Aaron Weidele accepted the award at NMC’s 2008 Summer Conference at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.

“We are very honored,” Shewbridge said. “We look at the NMC as our peers. We go there for inspiration and to forge collaborations.”

This year, UMBC joined the Rochester Institute of Technology as 2008 recipients. Modeled after the MacArthur “Genius Grants,” the Centers of Excellence Award involves an anonymous nomination process with no predefined categories of awards.

Although the award process is secretive, Shewbridge noted the Studio was specifically cited for its work with the Charlestown Digital Story Project workshop, an effort that paired UMBC students and staff with residents from the Charlestown Retirement Community. Funded by Retirement Living TV, the Charlestown Project won the Telly Award in 2007 and has produced more than 30 digital stories from personal photos, artifacts and memories. In fact, some stories may air on Retirement Living TV in the future.

“The process has become as rewarding as the outcome,” Shewbridge said. “It’s intergenerational, and real bonds are formed. It’s a personal experience being communicated.”

Some UMBC students who worked specifically with the Charlestown project went on to work at the Maryland Film Office, the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and non-profit associations throughout the area, Shewbridge said.

In addition to its work with students, the Studio hopes to host more workshops for faculty and staff, similar to the “Train the Trainer” workshop in Summer 2008. This workshop was hosted in partnership with the Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS) in Berkeley, California, and held just a few days before the Studio won the Centers of Excellence award.

The Studio will also host a booth at Homecoming 2008 for all attendees.

“We’re going to have a story booth where participants can make their own digital stories,” Shewbridge said.

To learn more about the video projects produced by the New Media Studio, go to www.umbc.edu/studio/.

(9/12/08)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

UMBC�s Political Correspondent at the Convention

UMBC’s nationally recognized politic analyst Tom Schaller had a front-row seat at the Democratic National Convention as a correspondent for Salon.com.

Schaller, associate professor of political science, was in Denver, Colorado, August 25-29 covering the presumptive nomination of Sen. Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate for president.

Follow Schaller’s reports from Salon.com’s political War Room.

Author of Whistling Past Dixie: How Democrats Can Win Without the South, Schaller predicts a tight race that will focus on pivotal swing states in the Southwest and upper Midwest.

“The candidate who gets the lion’s share of the vote in the Midwest and the Southwest will be the 44th president,” Schaller said.

Below, Schaller previews what to expect during the final stretch of the 2008 presidential election:

A twice-monthly political columnist for the Baltimore Sun and contributing writer for Salon, Schaller has published commentaries in The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The New York Daily News, The American Prospect and The New Republic and has appeared on ABC News, The Colbert Report, MSNBC, National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered“ and “Talk of the Nation” programs, The Tavis Smiley Show and C-SPAN’s Washington Journal. Schaller has given lectures on American politics in Brazil, India, Italy, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on behalf of the U.S. State Department.

(9/2/08)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

Alumni Mentor UMBC Interns in the Workplace

When UMBC students stepped out of the classroom this summer to begin their internships, many had the University’s alumni looking out for them.  For mechanical engineering major Yehuda Baumer, that someone was Zozscha Bomhardt ’94, who served as a mentor in her role as an engineering quality leader at GE Healthcare. 

Working alongside an alumni mentor in the workplace offers students the opportunity to learn from a member of the UMBC community while on the job. Students grasp the link between theory and practice and gain valuable job-related habits and skills. “Learning how the corporate world works and being able to incorporate what I’ve learned in my studies into the workplace has been invaluable,” said Baumer. 

While alumni provide an important contribution to their alma mater by connecting with and mentoring current students, the relationships can benefit them as well. Many find student interns to be outstanding potential new employees offering fresh insights into the job. “Interns provide us with a fresh perspective on technical issues,” explained Bomhardt. 

Over the past 15 years, The Shriver Center at UMBC has coordinated nearly 18,000 quality internship, cooperative education and service-learning arrangements for UMBC students.  According to Christine Routzahn, associate director of internships and co-ops, “UMBC alumni are outstanding advocates for our students, and both students and alumni find internship arrangements to be worthwhile and fulfilling. By complementing classroom instruction and research with internship and co-op experiences, we can better prepare our students to be tomorrow’s leaders.”

Click here to read about other UMBC students and alumni working together through internship opportunities coordinated by The Shriver Center.

(9/2/08)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

Alumni Mentor UMBC Interns in the Workplace

eCity Corporation

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Karen J. Carpenter
President/Artistic Director 
eCity Corporation

“I like providing opportunities for interns to apply classroom and creative knowledge in a real-world environment.”

Year of Graduation: 2002
Major(s)/Degree: Ph.D. in Language, Literacy and Culture; area: Visual Literacy
Favorite Course at UMBC: Classes on new media, merging of word and image and multiculturalism

Intern:
Nikki Jahangiri
eCity Corporation 

“The most valuable part of my internship experience was learning how to establish a strong corporate identity to ensure the business success of our clients.” 

Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Graphic Design with a Minor in Art History
Favorite Course at UMBC: Foundations in Leadership

Triangle Universities Nuclear Lab at Duke University

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Michael Ronquest
Post-Doctoral Fellow 
Triangle Universities Nuclear Lab

“I love teaching and the chance to pass on what I’ve learned.”

Year of Graduation: 2000
Major(s)/Degree: B.S. in Physics
Other Education: Ph.D.; University of Virginia
Favorite Course at UMBC: Quantum Mechanics

Intern:
Shauna Marquess
Triangle Universities Nuclear Lab 

“I have learned a lot from this internship. Perhaps the most valuable part of my experience has been gaining knowledge of LabVIEW and learning how to write complicated programs in LabVIEW to control the motion of stepper motors.” 

Expected Graduation: 2010
Major: Physics
Favorite Course at UMBC: Modern Physics

CSC, Innovations Center

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Michael Panichello
Senior Systems Administrator
CSC, Innovations Center

“When students have the ability to work in a professional environment prior to graduation, it gives them the opportunity to embark on a successful career.”

Year of Graduation: 2006
Major(s)/Degree: B. S. in Information Systems Management
B. S. in Geography and Environmental Sciences
Certificate, Geographic Information Systems
Favorite Course at UMBC: Business Management

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Michael Tavener
Software Developer II
CSC, Innovations Center

“Interns are always extremely eager to learn. Working alongside an intern means working alongside a highly motivated individual. This, in turn, means that interns are always fun to work with.”

Year of Graduation: 2008
Major(s)/Degree: B. S. in Computer Science
Favorite Course at UMBC: Scripting Languages

Intern:
Scott Barasch
CSC, Innovations Center

“I come to work every day and address dynamic challenges that are unique to the workplace environment as well as the cutting edge of advanced computing and information science methods, practices and theories.” 

Expected Graduation: May 2009
Major: Computer Science
Favorite Course at UMBC: Data Structures

Intern:
Adam M. Kutzko
CSC, Innovations Center

“In addition to gaining work experience, particularly valuable is the opportunity to work with colleagues who understand the intern experience and what it�s like to juggle work, school, family and social lives at the same time.”

Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Information Systems
Favorite Course at UMBC: Introduction to Computer Programming

Lockheed Martin
Nanotechnology IRAD (Internal Research and Development)

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Harry Malecki
Mechanical Engineering LDP
Lockheed Martin, Nanotechnology IRAD

“Sometimes when you get so focused on your day-to-day work, it is really easy to narrow your vision and dismiss new ideas. Interns provide extra insights that are not normally considered. These insights challenge conventional points of view and open paths for innovation and creativity. Each of the interns I have been privileged to work with has continually provided this insight, making them an invaluable addition to our team.”

Year of Graduation: 2006
Major(s)/Degree: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Other Education: Currently in UMBC�s Master�s in Mechanical Engineering Program
Favorite Course at UMBC: Machine Design

Intern:
Carla de Castro
Lockheed Martin, Nanotechnology IRAD

“A UMBC alumni mentor is a wealth of knowledge on two legs. I believe that my mentor can truly relate to my experiences, having endured the same difficult engineering courses and participated in similar extracurricular activities. When I was unsure about working part time at Lockheed Martin through the school year, my mentor utilized those insights to advise me accordingly. I feel that those levels of understanding and support are highly beneficial, and I am thankful that I can count on my UMBC alumni mentor to provide them.” 

Expected Graduation: May 2009
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite Course at UMBC: The Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
David Picket
Operations Manager
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

“I like giving someone the opportunity to gain real-world experience, while allowing them to apply what they have learned from UMBC.”

Year of Graduation: 2007
Major(s)/Degree: B.S. in Financial Economics
Favorite Course at UMBC: Analysis of Derivative Securities

Intern:
David A. Indek
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

“I found gaining real-world experience in a working environment the most valuable aspect of my internship. It also provided me with more insight into what career I will pursue upon graduating.” 

Expected Graduation: May 2009
Major: Financial Economics & Political Science
Favorite Course at UMBC: Money and Capital Markets

ATK Space Systems

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Michael DeIuliis
Program Manager
ATK Space Systems

“Kristin is an excellent worker. She is a quick study, a good problem solver and she makes a genuine contribution to the work we do here at ATK Space Systems. Kristin has engaged herself in our engineering and manufacturing processes in such a way that she alleviates a lot of the every day support tasks that would normally pull me away from my work. We hope to add her to our engineering staff when she graduates next year.”

Year of Graduation: December 2006
Major(s)/Degree: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Favorite Course at UMBC: Elements of Aerospace Engineering and Design

Intern:
Kristin Crizer
ATK Space Systems

“I support product engineers in the manufacturing process of heat pipes. I find the hands-on work to be the most valuable. I get to see heat pipes in different parts of the manufacturing process, watch different procedures and tests, help to solve problems as they arise and support a project from start to finish. Mike is a great hands-on mentor because he spends a lot of time explaining the concepts of heat pipes to me using heat pipes and sketches for clarification.” 

Expected Graduation: May 2009
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite Course at UMBC: The Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials

Second Language Testing, Inc.

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Justin Kelly
Language Aptitude Coordinator
Second Language Testing, Inc.

“I love that interns are eager to learn about my area of specialization and can contribute in important ways to the research mission that is the foundation of our organization.”

Year of Graduation: 2000
Major(s)/Degree: B.A. in Spanish/Applied Linguistics (MLL)
Other Education: M.S., Theoretical Linguistics, Georgetown University, 2006;
Ph.D. Candidate (ABD),
Theoretical Linguistics (Syntax-Semantics Interface), Georgetown University
Favorite Course at UMBC: Don Quijote de la Mancha and Syntax

Intern:
Yujung Son
Second Language Testing, Inc.

“I loved helping produce language tests in various formats throughout the intern experience. Also, creating language aptitude items in Korean allowed me to learn the difference between my native language, Korean, and English, which I found a great asset for my future studies.” 

Expected Graduation: December 2008
Major: Instructional System Development concentration on ESOL/Bilingual
Favorite Course at UMBC: Grammar of American English for ESOL teachers

Intern:
Sunyoung Park
Second Language Testing, Inc.

“By creating Korean version aptitude tests, I am getting keen on my own language in terms of its grammar and standard written structures, which I didn�t really care about that much before. It helps me figure out that teaching a language requires a special training regardless of being a native speaker of the language. Connecting this experience to my career after graduation, I am becoming more confident in teaching English as a qualified language teacher.” 

Expected Graduation: December 2008
Major: Instructional System Development concentration on ESOL/Bilingual
Favorite Course at UMBC: Human Learning and Cognition

Vision Systems & Technology

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Clinton Totten
Software Engineer
Vision Systems & Technology, Inc.

“An intern brings a lot of positive energy to the workplace and new �out-of-the-box� thinking. It gives me a chance to share my ideas and knowledge with a student and work on my own leadership skills. Also, I am able to get a non-biased and fresh perspective on workflow.”

Year of Graduation: 1999
Major(s)/Degree: B.S. in Biological Sciences
Favorite Course at UMBC: Genetics

Intern:
Stephen Kawata
Vision Systems & Technology, Inc.

“With my experience at VSTI, I value the knowledge I�ve gained from the various areas of expertise in the company. I get to learn how IT is used in the real business world. I am able to learn useful information from my mentor as well as other co-workers. I value the opportunity to be part of a team working on a specific project and be part of the VSTI employee team as a whole.” 

Expected Graduation: May 2009
Major: Information Systems
Favorite Course at UMBC: User Interface Design

GE Healthcare

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Bruce Berlage
Mechanical Engineer
GE Healthcare

“I enjoy the enthusiasm interns bring. I also enjoy helping them learn and aiding them in any way that I can. It�s a great chance to help out others in their career development.”

Year of Graduation: 1997
Major(s)/Degree: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Other Education: Enproco Design and Drafting Institute
2-year Mechanical Design and Drafting course
Favorite Course at UMBC: Advanced Material Science

Intern:
Kevin Hooper
GE Healthcare

“I am working on systems that will help premature babies who are sick become well. This is very rewarding. I also value the relationships that I am building with the employees here and the vast positions that they hold. It is a very friendly and open environment.” 

Expected Graduation: December 2008
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite Course at UMBC: Mechanics of Materials

Cera Products, Inc.

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
Charlene Riikonen
(Charlene Dale at UMBC)
President/CEO
Cera Products, Inc.

“Interns bring new ideas, energy and fresh approaches to ways we have been accustomed to presenting our image to the world. For example, our visual art interns have taken our old art and re-shaped it so that our products look fresher and more timely. Our production engineer, who was an intern for several months before coming on full time, is coming up with ways to streamline steps in manufacturing, which should help us produce more efficiently and possibly save money in the process. This is a win-win approach, where the interns learn but we do, too!”

Year of Graduation: 1980
Major(s)/Degree: B.A. in American Studies
Other Education:Some master�s work in business; various technical courses in manufacturing and production
Favorite Course at UMBC: Southern American Literature and Photography

UMBC Mentor/Alumnus:
David Dunn
Production Engineer
Cera Products, Inc.

“I like being able to guide the interns when I can and learn from them”

Year of Graduation: 2008
Major(s)/Degree: B.S. in Chemical Engineering
Favorite Course at UMBC: Chemical Engineering

Intern:
Jennifer Hong
Cera Products, Inc.

“This internship provided real-world, practical experience in my field. Also, I was fortunate to be working in such a close environment, where the president of CERA was available right down the hallway. This made it easier for me to stay in close contact with her in case any problems or issues came up.” 

Expected Graduation: May 2009
Major: Graphic Design with a Minor in Art History
Favorite Course at UMBC: Introduction to Art and Media Studies

Intern:
Matthew Curtin
Cera Products, Inc.

“Gaining real world experiences and working with clients has been a very valuable experience for me.” 

Expected Graduation: May 2009
Major: Visual Arts – Graphic Design and Media Communications
Favorite Course at UMBC: Introduction to Art and Media Studies

(9/2/08)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

UMBC Physics Professor Co-Authors Science Paper on Human Impact on Clouds, Climate

Researchers at UMBC, NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center and the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel have found evidence that the connection between human impact and climate change may be in the clouds.

Aerosols – the tiny particles that make up dust, soot, smoke and ocean spray – play an important but puzzling role in cloud formation and rainfall. Aerosol-rich clouds are more spread out by wind, last longer and trap more solar heat in the atmosphere, all of which makes cloud growth and rain less likely. But aerosols’ impact is inconsistent, causing more cloud cover over the Atlantic Ocean while reducing clouds in the Amazon basin.

In a study published in the Aug. 15 issue of the journal Science, the international research team, including UMBC associate professor of physics Vanderlei Martins, may have found an answer. The team used NASA’s Terra satellite to focus on the 2005 dry season in the Amazon region, a good test case since the only aerosols being released at the time were caused by brushfires on the ground.

The end result of the research was a mathematical and analytical model that should help better understand how aerosols impact weather and climate across the globe.

“As we’d expected in applying our model, increased smoke from the fires created clouds rich with human-caused aerosols that absorbed sunlight, warmed the local atmosphere, and blocked evaporation. This led to reduced cloud cover over the Amazon,” said Martins in a NASA press release. “It’s encouraging to know the science behind our model should stand no matter the region.”

8/19/2008

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �