The Key November, 2022 Edition

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UMES named a recipient of $2.5 million Howard Hughes Medical Institute Award

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore was selected as the recipient of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Driving Change Initiative, be coming the first Historically Black College or University chosen for the grant.

The university will receive $2,500,000 in start-up funds over the next five years begin ning Nov. 1, 2022.

UMES was one of six universities to receive an award from the funding competition, which included a self-study process involving assessments regarding the university’s dedication to “establishing a scientifically grounded culture to the institution,” according to the HHMI. UMES was one of 38 finalists for the honor.

The purpose of Driving Change, which was launched in 2019, is to “create inclusive environments, promote student success, and recognize the institutional practices and his torical context that are barriers to inclusion,” according to the HHMI.

“Our undergraduate student population is 83% stu dents of color, of which 50 percent are already enrolled in STEM majors,” said UMES President Heidi M. Anderson. “Through Driving Change, we will transform the infrastruc ture and vastly open up opportuni ties for these students contributing to a science-driven cultural change.”

As a result of the HHMI’s pro posal, UMES will create a new pro gram called STEM STARS (Students Achieving Results in Science), which will be a living-learning, cohort mod el where students immerse them selves into the university’s culture and activities that support collegiate goals.

The program will be a wel come addition to the institution, which has awarded 60 percent of its degrees in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineer ing, and math in the last several years. UMES also has the most healthcare professions programs of any HBCU with eight, which also contributes to its STEM suc cess.

Dr. Victor Hsia, the dean of the Pharmaceutical Sciences program, and Dr. Jonathan Cum ming, who oversees the Natural Sciences program, will lead the university’s efforts in the STARS STEM program, beginning with the hiring of a new director, re cruiting the first cohort, identi fying a residence hall to serve as the living-learning community for the STARS, and creating an internship program.

The HHMI hopes that the program can lead to a collabo rative effort in changing the culture surrounding the lack of diversity in STEM fields.

“The first six Driving Change grants are being awarded to finalist applicants that made strong arguments for their readiness to em bark on this change journey with ex periments that held the best promise of helping the whole community,” the organization said in a state ment. “Awarding the first six Driving Change grants is just one early step in a much longer journey, one that the Driving Change team hopes all 38 institutions in HHMI’s Learning Community will continue to travel.”

PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6-7 PAGE 8-10 PAGE 11 PAGE 12 Homecoming Donations Princeton Research Partnership Remembrance Walk Salute to Veterans Homecoming 2022
Month
AASCU
Aviation History
Athletics
Chair
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE A newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends NOVEMBER 2022
IN THIS ISSUE
School is the first HBCU to receive the honor; will use funds to create new “living-learning” STEM program
Dr. Victor Hsia Dr. Jonathan Cumming

Hawks at Halftime

Gifts from Golden Hawks

The classes of 1971 and 1972 celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reunion Nov. 12. The Golden Hawks were recognized with a Governor’s citation from Governor Larry Hogan for their “demonstration of high integrity and ability meriting our great trust and respect” in “appreciation of your outstanding services to the citizens of the State.” Some members of these classes were among the students who participated in protests and demonstrations for which they were jailed in Princess Anne

The Class of 1971 presented a $10,100 check for their endowment fund.

The Class of 1972 pledged to give $20,000 for their endowment fund. They have raised $5,566 toward their goal since Sept. 2022.

HOMECOMING DONATIONS 2 THE KEY NOVEMBER 2022
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc., the UMES National Alumni Association (NAA), the Princess Anne Chapter of the Links & Tri-County Alumni Assoc., NAA Baltimore Chapter, NAA Southern Md. Chapter, NAA Southeast Virginia Alumni Chapter, and the Class of 2002 presented check donations at the Homecoming basketball game Nov. 12. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore sincerely appreciates the support of current and future Hawks. and the Salisbury Armory.

UMES, Princeton collaboration a ‘win-win’

University is one of five HBCUs to partner with Ivy League School

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore will collaborate with Princeton University as part of a re search partnership between five HB CUs and the Ivy League institution.

UMES and Princeton researchers will work together on two projects, each lasting two years, with both proposals receiving funding support through the Princeton Alliance for Collaborative Research and Innova tion.

Each project will receive a maxi mum of $250,000 in funding.

“I am incredibly proud of the col laboration between the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Prince ton University,” said Dr. LaKeisha Harris, Dean of the School of Grad uate Studies and Research at UMES. “We have excellent researchers here at UMES who are excited to have their projects funded.”

The project, which started in September, was launched through a partnership between Princeton and the United Negro College Fund. Other HBCUs involved in the col laboration included Howard Univer sity, Jackson State University, Spel man College, and Prairie View A&M University.

The research projects span a vari ety of disciplines, including natural and social sciences, the humanities, and engineering, with a focus on finding solutions to modern chal lenges, including cybersecurity, cli mate change, public health, and so cial safety.

UMES’s two projects include re searching how groundwater may play an unseen role in climate im pacts on estuarian systems, led by Dr. Meng Xia, a professor in the De partment of Natural Sciences.

Another collaborative project fo cuses on dissecting Erysiphe Necator infection mechanisms and Vitis host responses to improve grapevine pow dery mildew resistance, led on UMES’s end by Dr. Sadanand Dhekney, a pro

fessor in the department of Agricul ture, Food and Resource Sciences.

“The project provides UMES re searchers and students the opportu nity to interact with and utilize the expertise of Princeton University faculty and facilities in areas of ge nomics, transcriptomics, and bioin formatics,” Dhekney said. “This will improve the quality of research and education at UMES while the joint collaboration expands opportuni ties for securing additional grant funding in plant breeding and bio technology.”

Xia said the groundwater and es tuary research not only increases the university’s research capabilities but also allows a greater understanding of the Chesapeake Bay.

“This proposed study will cou ple the integrated hydrology model, ParFlow, and ocean model, FVCOM, which will then be used to conduct a comprehensive study of the ground water/hydrological effects on near shore circulation, hydrodynamics, river, and sediment plume dynam ics, and processes of the Chesapeake Bay,” he said.

Harris added both institutions can share relative experiences through this collaboration.

“UMES researchers are passion ate about the research they develop and working with Princeton facul ty to develop more ideas and make meaningful contributions to their respective fields is a win-win situa tion for both institutions,” she said.

Dr. LaKeisha Harris Dr. Meng Xia
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Dr. Sadanand Dhekney Photo Credit: Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications

George Armwood Walk of Remembrance

Md. Truth & Reconciliation Commission hearing held at UMES

University of Maryland Eastern Shore students and the public gathered for the George Armwood Walk of Remembrance on Oct. 14. Dr. Michael Lane, director of the UMES’ Honors Program, led the walk through the Town of Princess Anne recognizing the sites related to the lynching of Armwood. According to newspaper reports, Armwood was accused of a crime and abducted from the Princess Anne jail by a mob prior to being lynched and burned on Oct. 18, 1933.

“The George Armwood Walk of Remembrance offers a unique opportunity for community members to join UMES faculty and students to learn more about some of the painful truths of our shared history. Acknowledging the past is an important part of moving forward, together, as a community. We need to be intentional about creating these moments to learn and to heal, together. I’m grateful to Dr. Lane for offering this program, each year. It is a powerful experience,” Main Street Princess Anne Manager Carrie Samis said.

The Maryland Truth and Reconciliation Commission held a public hearing Nov. 5 at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. During the hearing, research was presented to the public regarding the occurrences and hidden truths (derived from State records, first person accounts, press reports) surrounding lynchings in Somerset County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The commission acknowledged the lynchings of Issac Kemp (1894), William Andrews (1897), James Reed (1907), and George Armwood (1933). Relatives of Armwood were present to share comments on his life, their family, and the work of the commission. The lynching of Armwood in Princess Anne 89 years ago on Oct. 18 is reported as the last lynching in Maryland.

The commission was created in April 2019 through Md. House Bill 307 giving the commission the ability “to hold certain public meetings, receive and make certain recommendations; authorizing the Commission to research certain cases of racially motivated lynching; requiring the Commission to submit an interim report and a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before certain dates.” The commission has 17 members of which some are appointed by the Governor and four appointed by the presidents of Maryland’s four historically Black universities. Dr. Marshall F. Stevenson Jr., Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Education and the Arts, represents UMES.

The final report from the commission to the Governor and General Assembly is due Dec. 1, 2023.

Faculty named to Md. organization’s Board of Directors

Dr. Marshall F. Stevenson Jr., dean of the School of Education, Social Sciences and the Arts, was named as a member of the Board of Directors for Maryland Humanities. He will represent Somerset County in this role. Maryland Humanities “creates and supports bold experiences that explore and elevate our shared stories to connect people, enhance lives, and enrich communities.”

“I’m delighted and honored to serve on the Maryland Humanities Board because its mission aligns so closely with my belief that the humanities are at the center of our existence and help us better understand the past, reflect on the present and contemplate the future we desire,” Stevenson said. Congratulations Dr. Stevenson!

REMEMBRANCE WALK 4 THE KEY | NOVEMBER 2022
Photos: Carrie Samis/Main Street Princess Anne Community members joined UMES students and staff for the George Armwood Walk of Remembrance in Princess Anne. Md. Dr. Michael Lane led students on the George Armwood Walk of Remembrance. One of the first stops was “The Grey Eagle,” which is integral to the story of George Armwood’s lynching in 1933. The historic building is home to the Princess Anne Police Department.

‘HBCUs are incubators for leaders’

When Brigadier General Janeen L. Birckhead speaks about what it was like attending an HBCU, she fondly recalls its role in shaping her career.

The Snow Hill, Md. native, who currently serves as both the Commander of the Maryland Army National Guard and the Deputy Commandant for Reserve Affairs at the U.S. Army War College, said her time attending Hampton Uni versity played a pivotal role in her military trajectory.

“My career was shaped by the faculty of Hampton Univer sity and by the Army R.O.T.C. and I absolutely treasure the experience,” she said. “And so, when I think about my Hamp ton experience, I will tell you that it solidified my confidence and my ability to lead.”

Birckhead shared the story of her career and her HBCU experience as the keynote speaker at this year’s “Salute to Veterans’ Gala held at the Richard A. Henson Center on the campus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The annual fundraising event, which was co-sponsored by UMES and the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, fea tured an audience of military veterans and community mem bers as guests and was emceed by Salisbury Mayor Jake Day, who is active in the Army National Guard.

“This is one of the venerable institutions we are lucky enough to have in the state,” he said. “It’s made up of peo ple who commit themselves to service, commit their lives to service, whether it’s to a particular field of study or service to the institution at large, or the state at large, or the com munity around them.”

(L-R) University Relations Vice President David Balcom, SSG James Akinola (UMES ’15 & U.S. Army’s 2020 Soldier of the Year), Brigadier General Janeen L. Birckhead, President Heidi M. Anderson, and SSG Eric Lane.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Silver Star Schol arship Fund to support first-year UMES students who are honorably discharged veterans, a child of a veteran, or a child of a service member killed in action.

During her speech, Birckhead discussed her military ex periences leading the Maryland Army National Guard during the outbreak of the pandemic and following the aftermath of the storming of the U.S. Capitol as well as the importance of becoming a leader and helping mentor future leaders.

“First and foremost, HBCUs are incubators for leaders make no mistake (of that),” she said. “HBCUs and our mili tary believe in merit-based equality and it’s powerful to help create the future.”

SALUTE TO VETERANS THE KEY | NOVEMBER 2022 5
Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead reflects on her HBCU experience at ‘Salute to Veterans’ Gala

Members of the Class of 1971 and 1972 gathered at Alumni Central to kickoff Homecoming festivities.

Homecoming

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Alumni House was rededicated for alumni use Nov. 12 and renamed in honor of the late Lt. Colonel Louis F. Martin, the oldest living alum (age 104) at the time of his death in November 2021. Martin, a native of Princess Anne, Md., majored in agriculture graduating in 1940 from then Princess Anne Academy.

It was a family affair at the sneaker ball as alums celebrated their 10-year class reunion. (L-R) Jamaal Dennis and wife Chatriece (’12) posed for photos with Katoya Manns (’12) and her husband Trey.

Robert Owen Johnson (‘69) was surprised on his birthday Nov. 10 as he received the well-earned Alumni Service award during the masquer ade sneaker ball.

HOMECOMING 2022 6 THE KEY | NOVEMBER 2022
(L-R) Kevin Chase (’83) and William Armstrong (’70) were among the Hawks communing Nov. 11 at the President’s Welcome Reception.

Homecoming '22

Phi

HOMECOMING 2022 THE KEY | NOVEMBER 2022 7
Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. were present to honor their brother the late Lt. Colonel Martin during the alumni house renaming ceremony. Martin pledged Phi Beta Sig ma Fraternity, Inc. at Princess Anne Academy in 1939. (L-R) Sheila Martin- Brown, daughter of the late Lt. Colonel Martin; Teonna Wallop, UMES National Alumni Association President; and Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, UMES President. The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. were represented at the Homecoming Tailgate. MJ (left) & Ryan won the prize for best dressed at the 2022 masquerade sneaker ball. Junior Oluafunmilayo Oyekunle (exercise science major) enjoyed the Homecoming 2022 Tailgate that was supported by pleasant weather Nov. 12.

Taking to the skies begins at UMES

Hawk credits HBCU in propelling career in aviation and military service

Captain Roberto H. Torres (’96) is among the early stu dents to matriculate in the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s aviation program, which is the only four-year bach elor degree program in the State of Maryland since its start over 30 years ago. Earning his degree in airway science, his success was nurtured at UMES by educators including the late Dr. Abraham Spinak, Professor (Captain) Bill Solms, and the late Dr. Brenda Anderson Wade (formerly of UMES Honors Program). He earned a master of science in aero nautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (2009) and a master of science in defense & security from the In ter-American Defense College (2018).

“Dr. Abe Spinak’s vision for this Aviation Sciences Pro gram at UMES really embodies the biggest influence for my change in major (and really, in career). Along with Professor (Captain) Bill Solms, they both opened up a world to me that I just had to be in. Director of the Honors Program, Dr. Brenda Anderson, also played a key role on encouraging me to pursue my changing dreams. Although not a military man himself, I must say that my father always did mention the U.S. Coast Guard; of course, I never listened until years lat er, when it was my idea. In the end, I suppose I just followed what I wanted to do, and not what others wanted me to do.”

His professional goal was “to join the military, serve as an officer, and become a pilot—in that order” despite arriving at UMES as pre-dentistry major and not being able to afford flight training, but being intrigued by the possibilities of a career in aviation.

Captain Torres retired from the U.S. Coast Guard this past summer after completing military service spanning over three decades. Torres’ career was filled with a vast array of experiences and roles including serving as the Executive Director of The Interdiction Committee (TIC*), Executive Assistant to the Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Special Correspondent at the Military Personnel Com mand, and flying first response missions to Hurricane Ka trina. A Flight Examiner and Instructor Pilot in the MH-65C “Dolphin”, Captain Torres amassed over 4,000 hours also

flying the MH-60J “Jayhawk” and the HC-144A “Ocean Sentry.”

He joined the U.S. Army Reserve, and started pur suing the Reserve Officer Training Corps at then Salis bury State Univer sity. He connected with a U.S. Coast Guard recruiter at an UMES career fair and “the rest is history.”

“The first 3.5 years of my 30-year military career took place as a student at UMES, so my experiences there were absolutely formative. As a Latino kid (first-generation Co lombian-American), I was certainly a minority on campus and learned to live alongside diverse students from many places around the country and around the world (e.g., Phil adelphia, Baltimore, Bermuda, Liberia, Ethiopia, etc.),” Tor res said.

“During my time there (at UMES), I made lifelong friends through hanging out in The Efficiencies, playing on the Hawk Soccer Team (Division One!), and attending my mandatory military training throughout the year, includ ing all summers. To this day, I am extremely proud to have graduated from UMES, a minority-serving institution, and to have been exposed such wide-ranging experiences, tradi tions, and backgrounds.”

The retired military serviceman credits UMES with cre ating a sense of “belonging” from the onset of his time at the university and its diverse environment.

AVIATION HISTORY MONTH 8 THE KEY | NOVEMBER 2022

“From the onset, I felt a real sense of belonging within the small but mighty Aviation Sciences cohort, as well as the Honors Program students. This was crucial in establishing early in my time at UMES, that belonging to these groups made it easier to stay focused on longer-term goals. Second, I appreciated learning from my roommates and friends what their own upbringing and life was like back home. I came from an open-minded family, but the diversity I experienced first-hand at UMES, has stayed with me forever,” he said.

The retired pilot gave the following advice to those inter ested in a career in aviation:

“A career in aviation is absolutely worth pursuing! There are boundless opportunities for advanced training, high ly-technical skillsets, postgraduate education, challenging situations, and unique travel. As a student at UMES back in the late 1990s, I never would have imagined later attend ing flight school, becoming an accident investigator, earning two Master’s, being a first-responder to Hurricane Katrina (saving hundreds of lives from peril), and traveling all over the globe (to include Russia – twice!).”

“While there are many facets to the aviation industry— commercial, corporate, charter, contract, fractional, private, military—there is one constant: a need for diversity and in creased representation from minorities. By all calculations, this is a rapidly growing industry that absolutely needs talented graduates from outstanding universities such as UMES,” Torres said.

Captain Torres resides in Md. with his wife Jenni, and their three children.

*The 29 departments, agencies, offices, and components comprising TIC serve to

developing, discussing, and resolving issues related to the coordination, oversight, and

efforts beyond, at, and within the borders of the United States.

AVIATION HISTORY MONTH THE KEY | NOVEMBER 2022 9
support the Office of National Drug Control Policy by integration of drug interdiction and counter-network Capt. Roberto Torres with his wife Jenni (center), daughter Ariana, and sons Mateo and David. During Founders’ Week 2019, Capt. Torres (center, right of the rocket) was among alumni from the aviation science program who returned to the Engineering and Aviation Science Complex to celebrate the program’s 30th anniversary. Photos: Capt. Roberto H. Torres
“This university taught me something that I now tell my own children: there is easy and hard and wrong and right ...we will always do hard and right!”

CELEBRATING AVIATION HISTORY MONTH

The month of November is recognized as Aviation History Month. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has its place in aviation history as the home of the only aviation science bachelor degree program in the State of Maryland, which has been preparing professionals in the industry for over three decades. Through this Q&A, we introduce you to a Hawk who is soaring in the field of aviation.

MEET SARAH ADEWUMI

Sarah Adewumi (’20), a former Miss UMES, is a Science Communicator (Public Broadcasting Service), Cybersecurity Portfolio Management Lead at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and non-profit Founder at Next Gen in STEM. The Phoenix, AZ native earned her bachelor of science degree in aviation science (aviation management concentration). While at UMES, she was a member of the Student Government Association, a student athlete, and a member of several organizations including the White House Initiative on HBCUs Fellowship program, Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute, and the Eisenhower Transportation Research Board Fellowship program.

Q: What was your professional goal?

A: My professional goal was simply to be a Project Manager until around my sophomore year at UMES, a mentor of mine told me, ‘Is that all? You can shoot for way more than that!’ And since that day, my professional goal was to literally just shoot for the stars which has allowed me to take up higher positions and spaces that were kind of unusual for someone that was so young.

Q: What or who influenced you to pursue a career in aviation?

A: My dad inspired me to pursue STEM, and later on introduced me to the idea of pursuing Aviation. I was around 8 when he brought me to ‘bring your child to work’ day and I still remember the activities we did, including making rockets out of water bottles. In college, I was really encouraged by some incredible woman-leaders that saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, who took a chance on me, hired me, and poured into me. While in undergrad, every internship I got was a result of a woman in a leadership position choosing me, and for four out of five internships it was a Black woman. Since then, I’ve strived to be that woman for someone else.

Q: Describe UMES’ role in your career.

A: UMES was pivotal in shaping my career to what it is today! All of the amazing professors at UMES: Professors Hartman, Brown, Henry, Brink, really made the Aviation program great, and they always encouraged us to get involved as young leaders. Every organization and experience I had at UMES really prepared me for what I do today, and I honestly do the same things that I did as a student, now it may just be on a bigger platform.

Q: Name three things you gained from your student experience at UMES.

A: People are always so surprised when I say that I have no media training, and it’s because of the opportunities that developed me as a leader and speaker at UMES; From serving as Miss UMES and speaking in front of huge audiences or recruiting students, to now doing the exact same thing except it’s for ‘the Space Agency’, on TV at PBS, or a TEDx stage. I had to learn very quickly how to balance my time, as a student athlete, student leader, and simply as a student. UMES also fueled my passion for service which led me to create my own non-profit, giving back to the next generation of young women seeking careers in STEM.

Q: What advice do you have for someone looking to pursue a career in aviation?

A: Take the extra step and go the extra mile when it comes to everything! Look into organizations that can help you develop whether on a local, national, or international level. Find mentors and advocates to help you along the way. The difference between each is that a mentor helps to point you in the right direction, while advocates speak your name when you’re not in the room. Having found both - and oftentimes in the same people, helped me to climb very quickly. There are so many different avenues that you can take within Aviation so don’t be afraid to go after multiple things.

AVIATION HISTORY MONTH 10 THE KEY | NOVEMBER 2022

Athletes, a team and fallen Hawks were among UMES’ 2022 Hall of Fame inductees

Friday, Nov. 11 was another proud day for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks Athletic Hall of Fame as eight individuals and one team were enshrined in a Home coming weekend ceremony.

The 2022 class included two of the most decorated bowl ers in program history in Maria Rodriguez and former team mate Kristina Frahm (Szczerbinski). Both bowlers were four-time National Tenpin Coaches Association All-Amer icans — the only ones to accomplish the feat in program history. They each won two NCAA Championships (2008, 2009), one USBC Championship (2011) and two MEAC Championships (2008, 2011).

Rodriguez was NTCA Division I Player of the Year as a se nior, a two-time MEAC Bowler of the Year (2010, 2011) and was a three-time All-MEAC Selection. She currently bowls on the PWBA Tour.

Frahm was the 2008-09 ECAC singles champion and awarded the Outstanding Performer at the 2011 NCAA Championship. Later, as a coach, she led the team to the 2012 NCAA Championship & the 2013 USBC National Champion ship.

Whitney Johnson helped her team to the MEAC Cham pionship game all three seasons as a Hawk after transferring in as a sophomore. She was a two-time First-Team All MEAC (2008, 2009) and was on the MEAC All-Tournament Team in both 2007 and 2009. She is No. 3 on the school’s all-time kills list (1,225), No. 4 in kills per set (3.82), No. 8 in hitting percentage (.307) and No. 5 in solo blocks (43) despite play ing just three seasons in maroon and gray.

Current women’s basketball assistant coach and former point guard Casey Morton (Monroe-Gaskins) rounded out

the class of individual performers. She was named MEAC Rookie of the Year after setting program marks for freshmen. She finished her career with her name all over the all-time record book and with a Third-Team All MEAC selection. She is one of nine 1,000-point scorers in program history.

Craig Cotton was Hawk Athletics’ first full-time Sports Information Director from 1981-1988 and held the position during the transition to Division I athletics chronicling the exploits of UMES student athletes. He was inducted as an administrator.

The 2007-08 Women’s Bowling team was also en shrined. The team won the school’s first bowling national championship and was the first NCAA DI HBCU women’s program to ever win a National Championship. The squad featured both Rodriguez and Frahm along with teammates: Katherine Brown, Jamie Culbreth, Jennifer Davis, Sara DiScioscia, Kristina Frahm, Christine King, Martha Pe rez, Maria Rodriguez, Jessica Smithson, Jessica Worsley, Laura Zanrucha, and coaches Brummell, Dukes and Vince Brummell.

Three contributors were also inducted in the 2022 Hall of Fame Class. Jesse T. Williams (HOF class 2004), his wife Vernetta Williams (MD. State College ‘64) and Jesse’s bas ketball teammate, roommate and fellow Hall of Famer Dave Riddick (HOF class of 1982) were inducted as contributors for their generosity throughout the years.

ATHLETICS THE KEY NOVEMBER 2022 11 CONTENT COURTESY OF UMES ATHLETICS
Top Row L to R: Maria Rodriguez, Laura Zanrucha, Christine King Blakeney, Martha Perez-Schmitz, Jessica Bond, Kristina Szczerbinski, Sara DiScioscia, Jennifer Davis, Jessica Smithson, Jamie Culbreth, Coach Sharon Brummell, Coach Vince Brummell Bottom Row L to R: Whitney Johnson, Casey Monroe-Gaskins, J. Craig Cotton, Vernetta WIlliams, Karen Riddick (daughter of Dave Riddick)

Congratulations DR. ANDERSON

On Nov. 15, President Heidi M. Anderson was elected as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. “I am both honored and eager to collaborate with our AASCU campuses in pursuit of innovative actions and strategies that will enhance new majority student success. As a catalyst for our conversations, my theme for the year and for the 2023 annual conference is ‘AASCU Leading for Democracy: Rebuild, Restore, Reframe.’ At this significant time in our history as educators, I look forward to conversations exploring transformations consistent with the AASCU mission and vision,” Dr. Anderson said about this role.

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is “a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of nearly 400 public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions Delivering America’s Promise.”

The Key / November 2022

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Inquiries regarding the application of Federal laws and non-discrimination policies to University programs and activities may be referred to the Office of Equity & Compliance/Title IX Coordinator by telephone (410) 651-7848 or e-mail (titleix@umes.edu).

The Key is published by the Office of Public Relations umesnews@umes.edu, 410-651-7580 An archive is available at www.umes.edu/TheKey

Submissions to The KEY are preferred via email. All copy is subject to editing. The Key is written according to the Associated Press stylebook.

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