All posts by: UMBC News Staff

UMBC Men’s Soccer Advances in NCAA Tournament

15870081835_9dd8a55cf7_zThis fall marks a historic year for the UMBC men’s soccer team as they advance to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. After winning their third America East title, the Retrievers defeated Wake Forest and College Park in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.

The win against College Park at the time marked the furthest a UMBC Division I team had advanced in a national tournament, until the team again emerged victorious in the next round. On Sunday, UMBC men’s soccer bested the University of Louisville in the third NCAA round to make the quarterfinals.

UMBC has been undefeated in its last nine games and will play the Creighton Blue Jays on December 5 at 8 p.m. in Omaha, Nebraska.

“I just think this is a team of destiny,” Coach Pete Caringi told The Baltimore Sun. “…To beat Wake on the road, to beat Maryland on the road and to beat Louisville on the road is quite an accomplishment, but we don’t feel like we are done.”

Read coverage of the NCAA tournament below. Visit www.umbcretrievers.com to see video highlights and find out details about UMBC vs Crestleigh.UMBC vs. Wake Forest:
UMBC beats Wake in PKs, gets Terps next (Baltimore Sun)

UMBC vs. College Park
NCAA: UMBC stuns Maryland, while Virginia teams and Georgetown advance (Washington Post)
UMBC upsets Maryland, 1-0, to advance in NCAA men’s soccer tournament (Baltimore Sun)

UMBC vs. University of Louisville
UMBC advances to Elite Eight with 1-0 win over Louisville in men’s soccer (Baltimore Sun)
UMBC, the ACC giant slayer, strikes again (Soccer America)
U of L soccer falls to UMBC in third round (The Courier-Journal)

UMBC: Road Warriors

Road Warriors

UMBC men’s soccer team beats the University of Louisville to advance to Elite Eight in NCAA Tournament.

The UMBC men’s soccer team journeyed to play No. 13 Louisville on Sunday night and came back with a famous victory that propelled them into the quarterfinals of the men’s NCAA soccer championship.

Senior midfielder Kansaye Mamadou converted a penalty kick in the 24th minute to give the Retrievers a lead that they never relinquished to earn a spot in the Elite Eight of college soccer.

UMBC is the only team remaining in the tournament with three wins on the road – and coach Pete Caringi, Jr.’s squad will travel again to play the Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday, December 5 at 8 p.m. EST.

The Retrievers started the game with immense confidence and composure, and UMBC had the best of the play in the first half before a handball call within the area in the 22rd minute on a Louisville defender led the referee to award a penalty. Mamadou beat the keeper with an expertly-taken penalty kick.

Louisville increased the tempo of the game in the second half to try to find an equalizer, yet the Retrievers began the half still looking dangerous on the counterattack.

As the game wore on, however, the Cardinals piled pressure on the Retrievers, and standout sophomore goalkeeper Billy Heavner made a number of key saves to preserve the UMBC lead – including a tremendous slap save on a threatening ball in the face of goal in the game’s 79th minute.

The Retrievers’ current run to the Elite Eight of college soccer is the team’s best showing ever in Division I. The team joins their next opponent – Creighton University – along with Georgetown University, the University of Virginia, UCLA, Providence University, Michigan State University, and the University of North Carolina in the quarterfinals.

The men’s soccer squad has achieved this athletics milestone by taking a different path to success. The university and its athletics department share a vision to seek excellence for UMBC’s student athletes in the classroom as well as on the field.

In a recent interview with UMBC Magazine, UMBC athletics director Tim Hall said: “My own beliefs about intercollegiate athletics and academics are congruent with the leadership of the university. I believe that success in athletics and success in academics are not mutually exclusive. You can be successful and balanced in both.”

It’s a vision that’s paying off with the Elite Eight Retrievers.

Last week, Heavner was presented with the inaugural America East Elite 18 award, which recognizes student-athletes competing in conference championship matches who possess high academic and athletic achievements. In addition to being one of the catalysts on UMBC’s amazing postseason run, Heavner also maintains a 4.0 GPA as a major in financial economics.

The UMBC men’s and women’s soccer teams also earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Awards for the 2013-14 academic year for posting cumulative team grade point averages of 3.0 or better. UMBC was one of only 188 schools that had both men’s and women’s programs recognized in the NSCAA awards.

The win against Louisville on Sunday night also extends the collegiate careers of the squad’s exceptional core of senior players – including Kansaye, defender Oumar Ballo, forward Kay Banjo, defender Jordan Becker, midfielder Geaton Caltabiano, midfielder Michael DiCesare, defender Marquez Fernandez, midfielder Stephen Ho, midfielder/defender Zach Wenger, and defender Spencer Williams.

To see video highlights of the historic win, explore detailed game accounts and statistics, and obtain information on tickets to next Friday’s game in Omaha, head to www.umbcretrievers.com.

(Updated 12/1/2014)

We’re Grateful for YOU!

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, we would like to take the time to thank you, our alumni, for your continuous support of UMBC. Thank you for keeping the UMBC spirit alive after graduation, and for spreading Retriever Fever wherever you go.

Thank you for showing our students – through all of your amazing achievements – what can be accomplished when you reach for your goals and truly live out your experience here at UMBC.

Your dedication to the university makes it what it is today, and for that we are grateful. Thank you for being a part of the UMBC family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

UMBC Men’s Soccer Squad Receives NSCAA Academic Honor

15870094955_8999c112ed_zUMBC red-shirt sophomore goalkeeper Billy Heavner earned the inaugural America East Conference Elite 18 Award, honoring student-athletes who exemplify excellence both in their sport and in the classroom. The awards were presented at the conclusion of the league’s six fall championships

The Elite 18 Award Program was established by the conference in June 2013 for implementation in the 2014-15 academic year to honor the highest achievement in academics and athletics by a student-athlete in each America East sponsored sport.

Heavner maintains a perfect 4.00 GPA while majoring in financial economics. He took over the starting position mid-season and has posted a record of 10-1-2, leading the Retrievers to the third round of the NCAA Championships. Heavner is currently eighth in the nation in save percentage (84.3%) and 11 th in goals against average (0.59).

Moreover, both the UMBC men’s and women’s soccer teams earned NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2013-14 academic year.

Across the nation and throughout all divisions, a total of 861 soccer teams (279 men, 582 women) posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, thereby earning the distinction. Of that total, 188 schools had both their men’s and women’s programs recognized, including both Pete Caringii’s and Leslie Wray’s squads.

The men posted a grade-point average of 3.08, while the women recorded a mark of 3.46.

Dennis Coates, Economics, in City Paper

Baltimore’s City Paper published an article on November 25 that examined the city’s current public construction boom, which by some estimates may exceed $10 billion, comparable to what was spent nationally by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression.

Dennis Coates

Economics Professor Dennis Coates was interviewed for the article and explained that the public projects would likely increase the local economic growth rate by close to 15 percent.

“It is certainly a construction jobs program, and I would contend it will affect growth positively, though precisely how much, especially in the short term, is questionable,” he said. “Avoiding broken water mains and the problems those cause is enormously beneficial, even if there is negligible impact on growth. The mayor’s office is not publicizing this, so in that sense it is invisible, but when water-main work is under way, that will be very visible.”

To read the full article titled “Baltimore’s New Deal: WPA-level spending has the power to remake the city, but much of it might be going away,” click here.

Zane Berge, Education, Wins Prestigious Association for Educational Communications and Technology Awards

Zane BergeZane Berge, professor of education, has won two prestigious Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) awards. Berge was named the winner of the Distance Education Book Award, which is given for the outstanding book published within the last three years that describes important aspects of distance education, theory, or examples that can help others involved in distance education or research on an important aspect of distance education. The award-winning book Handbook of Mobile Learning (Routledge 2013) was co-edited by Berge and his colleague at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Lin Muilenburg. For more information, click here.

Berge also received the Distance Learning Division Journal Article Award for his publication “Barriers to Communication in Distance Education,” published in the Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education (January 2013). The article describes how improvements in distance education technology have lead to opportunities to overcome barriers to ineffective communication and the complexity of those barriers faced by participants.

The awards were announced earlier this month during the Distance Learning Division luncheon at the AECT annual conference.

Sunil Dasgupta, Political Science, in International Relations and Security Network News

Sunil DasguptaSunil Dasgupta, director of UMBC’s political science program at the Universities of Shady Grove, recently published an article in the International Relations and Security Network (ISN) digital library. In his article titled “What is Asia? A Security Debate between Alfred Mahan and Barry Buzan,” Dasgupta argued that Chinese and American security policies are making “one Asia” a more distinct reality. He compares the viewpoints of naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan, who was a defender of national power, and Barry Buzan, the influential Canadian and British scholar of international relations, who was an advocate for the regional security complex.

“Those who, like Mahan, believe in the immutability of geography see the rise of China—the only power that physically connects four of Asia’s five regions—as leading to the rebirth of Asia as a singular strategic entity, returning the continent to the days before the Vasco da Gama epoch,” Dasgupta wrote.

“But Buzan’s construct of many Asias remains resilient. From a theoretical point of view, the concept of balance of power requires a defined set of balancers, or a security complex. Without clear referents and limitations on who should be counted as part of the balance, there can be no game,” he added.

To read the full article published November 21 in the ISN digital library, click here.

Tom Beck, Library, Speaks at the Library of Congress

Tom Beck, Chief Curator, Library & Gallery, recently spoke at the Library of Congress commemorating the photographs of David Seymour. He is a biographer of the famous photographer who in 1947 co-founded Magnum Photos with Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and George Rodger. Magnum Photos is the internationally important photojournalist’s cooperative whose members are among the finest photographers in the world.
The Library of Congress program occurred on the 103rd anniversary of the birth of Seymour and celebrated the donation of 112 of Seymour photographs to the Library of Congress.

University Strategic Planning Discussion on Applied Learning, Mentoring, and the Campus Experience

14930051824_16e91d55c2_zThe Student Experience: University Strategic Planning Discussion on Applied Learning, Mentoring, and the Campus Experience

As part of the Student Experience Strategy Group, our team was tasked with answering the question, “What are the student experiences that influence preparation for the lifespan and the careers of undergraduate and graduate students? What roles do civic agency, academic support, health and fitness play in this preparation?”

Based on our research we have concluded that student preparation and success both in and out of college revolves around three main areas:
1. Advising and mentoring
2. Meaningful applied learning
3. Student campus experience

We have decided to run a set of discussion meetings where we can bring together a few members of our community to talk about these topics and how they tie back to our charge question. We also will be asking for recommendations from participating members on what can be done at UMBC to support these areas.

The Advising and Mentoring discussion will be held on Wednesday, December 3 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on the 7th floor of the Albin O. Kuhn Library. To RSVP, please complete this form.

The Applied Learning discussion will be held on Tuesday, December 9 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Commons 331. To RSVP, please complete this form.

The Student Campus Experience discussion will be held on Wednesday, December 10 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Commons 331. To RSVP, please complete this form.

If you cannot attend a session but would like to contribute, please indicate so on the appropriate RSVP form and a survey will be sent to you at a later date.

Thank you for your support!

Team Members include: Craig Berger, Student Life Office; Michael Moubarek, Student; Christine Routzahn, Career Center; Ally Yang, Student

Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation, Marketing and Creative Services Win NODA Award

nodaawardNODA, the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education, recently held their annual conference in Orlando, FL.

UMBC, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation, Marketing and Creative Services won for Best Family Calendar/Handbook for mid-size institutions. The calendar was distributed to all incoming freshman and transfer parents and family members this summer. The Publications & Media Showcase awards highlight the best of the promotional materials submitted for the 2014 orientation season.

Donald Norris, Public Policy, Writes Baltimore Sun Op-Ed

In advance of the UMBC public policy program 40th anniversary celebration, Donald Norris, professor and chair of the department, wrote an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun in which he defended the value of studying public policy to meet the growing demand for public servants who can improve government at all levels.

Donald Norris UMBC

In the column, Norris discussed the strength of the UMBC public policy program in educating students to make a strong, local impact after graduation: “Over the past 40 years, the public policy graduate program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has grown from 12 master’s students to 135 doctoral and master’s students. One key to our success is the program’s focus on issues impacting the state,” Norris wrote.

“The UMBC public policy program welcomes students from many nations and many states, but the majority of our students are from Maryland, and the majority of our graduates remain in Maryland. Moreover, at a time when fewer and fewer college students say that they want to work in the public sector, more than half of UMBC’s public policy students who graduated in the last 10 years are employed by Maryland state and local government, federal agencies and nonprofits,” he added.

Norris was also quoted in two recent Baltimore Sun articles analyzing the clout of Maryland’s congressional delegation after the election and a failed loan repayment from Anthony Brown’s campaign. To read the column and articles, click below.

Public policy schools more relevant than ever (Column)
Clout for Maryland lawmakers in Congress slips after midterm elections
Brown failed to repay $500,000 on time 

Roy Meyers, Political Science, Inducted into National Academy of Public Administration Fellowship Program

Photo Courtesy National Academy of Public Administration

Earlier this month at the National Academy of Public Administration annual meeting, Political Science Professor Roy Meyers was inducted as a new fellow for the organization. The Academy is an independent, non-profit organization that assists government leaders to build more transparent, efficient, and effective organizations.

The fellowship program includes prominent scholars, former members of Congress, cabinet officers, governors, business executives, and public administrators who provide valuable insight and support, guidance to the organization, and address emerging policy issues while contributing to intellectual and popular discourse on government.

Meyers was formerly a principal analyst with the Budget Analysis Division in the U.S. Congressional Budget Office. For Meyers’ biography page on the Academy website, click here. To read more about the National Academy of Public Administration fellowship program, click here.

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