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UMBC is proud of all of our graduates. On May 18 and 21, the University awards nearly 1,700 bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees at its Graduate School and Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies. Meet a few of our exceptional students and discover what the future has in store for the Class of 2012.
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VALEDICTORIAN
Mary Elizabeth Cole
Anthropology & Biological SciencesHere I am standing at the highest point of Bodiam Castle in East Sussex, England. I loved travelling to cultural sites during my study abroad experience.
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SALUTATORIAN
Robert Douglass Wardlow, II
Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyThis picture shows me explaining my poster to someone at a national scientific meeting. Opportunities I took advantage of through UMBC helped me to develop the skills to give these kinds of presentations at a professional level.
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SGA PRESIDENT
Catie Collins
English & PsychologyTaken during our summer SGA retreat. We had taken an enormous parachute with us, and it was big enough that all 50 of us could stand around it comfortably. Here we are, sitting underneath the parachute, talking excitedly about our plans for the upcoming year.
Laura "Meg" Viar
PsychologyThis is from series of prints of Baltimore City wildlife I made while at UMBC. I'd like to put the images together into a free "field guide" for kids and their families to use while exploring the city.
Madeline Hall
Environmental StudiesMy time abroad in New Zealand inspired me to apply for the Fulbright Program as well as conduct independent research.
Marcello Cabrera
PsychologyWhenever I needed a quiet place to study, I could usually count on the benches outside of Lecture Hall V.
Stefanie Mavronis
Political Science & Media and Communication StudiesThis photo is from my time studying in Bolivia — my first time on an airplane and abroad, and probably the most beautiful and rich experience of my life. My whole trip was a chance for me to prove to myself that I could adapt to new environments and exist completely outside my comfort zone.
Miguel Andres Calderon
Graphic DesignThis image captures an amazing experience: I was able to represent the university in advertisements in Seventeen magazine, on Pandora and in local movie theatres.
James Louis Scott
Ph.D., Public PolicyA photo from the finish of the Pioneer Day 10K race in Salt Lake City, Utah
Luke Roberts
Mechanical EngineeringI have always loved writing and playing music, especially the drums. The power, strength and control in that instrument are incredible, and I love being one with it!
Orrette Wauchope
Ph.D., ChemistryIn this picture, I am in my element, doing what I love: organic chemistry.
Katherine Diane Hileman
ActingWhile Las Meninas is a big part of my college experience, the people who went along with me on this journey made it something I will never forget. We all learned from each other and grew together through our experiences on this show, and they taught me that theatre is more than just what happens on the stage — it is the collaboration of a diverse group of people working to make their passions a reality.
Achsah Joseph
Media and Communication Studies & Interdisciplinary StudiesThis picture of a Rwandan woman teaching me how to weave a traditional basket is from when I studied abroad in Uganda and Rwanda. It means so much to me because I love arts and crafts and learning about different cultures.
Chikezie Okoro
ChemistryI developed a love for science at an early age. A career in healthcare will allow me to give back to the community.
Ecaterina Coman
Mathematics & MusicVolleyball became a big part of my life during my time at UMBC. I was part of the UMBC women's club volleyball team and coached and played in local and national tournaments
Clare Greene
M.A.T., Secondary Education; Post-B.A. Certification in ESOLThis white board includes notes from a class lesson I recently taught on George Orwell's Animal Farm. This board reminds me of the importance of using questions to guide students through the learning process. The process of discovery — when a student comes to the answer s/he has been searching for — is the best part of teaching.
Joseph Adewumi
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyHere I am playing tennis for the UMBC’s men’s tennis team.
Danielle Polite Bowles
PsychologyI was fighting to spend time with my family and provide an even better life for them.
Jeremy Brickey
EnglishMy first season starting as A-side wing for UMBC rugby. We beat Towson that day for the first time in years.
Laurentina Ondina Cizza
Political Science & Modern Language and LinguisticsThanks to the financial, academic and personal support provided by the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, I have been able to have many unique experiences: tutoring Burmese refugees, interning with the State Department in Italy, studying abroad in Jordan and France and conducting research as an undergraduate.
Stephanie Ellis
PhotographyMy classmates and I created a close bond due to the time spent in lab and in critique. We helped one another and became friends, which allowed for better growth as artists since we could all be honest with one another. I have fond memories of my time spent in class with them and am constantly inspired by what they do.
Iman Kennedy
PsychologyVolleyball was a huge part of my college experience, and I couldn't imagine my undergraduate career without the added excitement of competing in a collegiate sport.
Yeji Yoon
M.A., TESOLJust spreading smiles!
Patrice Starck
Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyPresenting at a research conference.
Juan Manuel Collazos
EconomicsAs a member of the crew team since my first semester, rowing has been a very important part of my experience at UMBC. This picture was taken at the Head of Charles regatta as we were overtaking another boat. It exemplifies the importance of individual commitment and collaboration when it comes to achieving a goal.
Rachel Robinson
Modern Languages, Linguistics and Intercultural CommunicationIn 1989 my mother graduated from UMBC. We took this photo in front of the Mathematics/Psychology building, where she had spent much of her time. I had spent much of my time there as well; it’s as if I’ve been a student at UMBC since I was eight years old.
Christian Demeke
Information SystemsIn the information systems department, I had the privilege of working alongside professors and doctoral candidates on their research projects, even being named in few published journal articles. This is also where I fixed countless computers and electronics.
Eva Jannotta
Gender and Women's Studies & EnglishMe on the island of Amantaní in Lake Titicaca, Peru, from my study abroad experience in the spring of 2011.
Kaitlyn O'Donnell
Social Work & American StudiesBeing a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority has been an integral part of my undergraduate experience.
Jeremy K.B. Johnson
SociologyUMBC gave me tools and perspective that I have been able to use as a member of the veteran-led Operation: Oliver team in Baltimore.
Daniel Park
Computer EngineeringThere's still a lot of work ahead, but finishing my bachelor's in computer engineering feels like a big accomplishment that I can be proud of.
Erin Butler
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & HistoryThis photo was taken my freshman year at the Meyerhoff family retreat. The Meyerhoff program has been one of the central parts of my experience at UMBC, and these two girls have been with me every step of the way, helping me grow into the person I am today.
Rachana Haliyur
BiochemistryMy undergraduate career is best defined by the support of the Meyerhoff program, my sorority sisters and the university as a whole. This picture shows me with my Meyerhoff family.
Ryan Wentworth
Financial EconomicsThis is a picture of me with two co-workers from Erickson Hall front desk. I have forged lasting friendships with several of the staff members that will carry on well past my collegiate experience.
Rita Turner
Ph.D., Language, Literacy, and CultureMe studying in the library with my fellow LLC graduate Jeanine Williams. The bonds I formed with classmates during our many shared work sessions are immensely valuable to me.
Ted Gross
M.A., Management of Aging ServicesCompleting a master’s program while assisting in the construction of the Green House Residences at Stadium Place was a challenge, but I had great support from UMBC’s Erickson School. In this photo I stand with Susan Frazier, COO of the Green House Project and an Erickson School alumna, during a tour of the Stadium Place construction site.
Michelle-Marie Martir
Animation and Graphic DesignMy classmates and me during our Imaging Research Center fellows class, where we created an online game called Reverie. It was so easy to not just collaborate with everyone in the group, but to become good friends with them. The class evolved from something that was simply part of a program to something that was fun and engaging.
Elisia Clark
Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyThis picture shows the diversity of the friends I’ve made along the way. Thank you UMBC!
Curtis Schickner
EconomicsPlaying baseball at UMBC is an honor and an experience that I will never forget. The sport has taught me to overcome tremendous adversity and my teammates and coaches have shown me that there is another level beyond what you think is your full potential.
