In the News

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the News
In his latest column for the Baltimore Sun, Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller offered “43 remembrances of the departing administration” of President George Bush. The column, “43 Reasons We Won’t Miss President Bush,” ran Wednesday, December 30.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller30dec30,0,7657650.story
The few remaining moderate Republicans in Congress have an opportunity to wield outsized influence on what President-elect Barack Obama can accomplish with legislators. “The power of moderates is declining in the country: They are fewer in number, and the country has polarized. But in any vote where you are down to one or two votes, there are always going to be people in the middle who have decisive power,” Schaller told the Tribune Newspapers Washington bureau. The story, “In Increasingly Polarized Senate, Moderate Republicans are Key,” appeared Friday, January 2.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.moderates02jan02,0,5947867.story
Michael Summers, Chemistry and Biochemistry, in the Catonsville and Arbutus Times
Michael Summers, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator at UMBC, was profiled in the Wednesday, January 7, issues of the Catonsville Times and the Arbutus Times. UMBC’s neighborhood newspapers focused on a recent licensing agreement between UMBC and the Swedish biotech company Vironova for possible anti-HIV drug technology developed in Summers’ Lab.
While the drug development process is very lengthy and uncertain, Summers and Vironova are excited at the possibilities for a new weapon in the fight against AIDS and HIV. “This could turn into a very productive partnership,” Summers said. “The information that we have now suggests that these compounds, if we’re smart in how we proceed, could really lead to something useful.” The Times also featured a brief personal profile on Summers, detailing what drew him to UMBC and what makes him passionate about teaching and research.
“Professor’s research may hold key to HIV fight” can be read online at http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/education/6347/professors-research-may-hold-key-hiv-fight/
“UMBC campus had right elements for chemist” can be read online at http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/education/6349/umbc-campus-had-right-elements-chemist/
UMBC Chess Team in the News
The UMBC chess team earned a share of the title at the Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship, finishing in a tie with the University of Texas-Dallas (UTD). The Baltimore Sun, The Associated Press, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News and Catonsville Times filed reports during the week Tuesday, December 30, to Wednesday, December 31.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.briefs311dec31,0,7841463.story
http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/community/6359/news-brief/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/04/AR2009010401409.html
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/123108dnmetchess.38c6d62.html

http://www.examiner.com/a-1768923~UMBC_chess_team_ties_for_first_in_Pan_Am_tourney.html
UMBC in the Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education profiled UMBC’s extensive use of the Blackboard course-management system, noting that UMBC “is perhaps the first (campus) nationally to publish campus-wide usage statistics.” Assistant Vice President for Information Technology John Fritz, Associate Professor of Information Systems Gerald Canfield, Instructor of Social Work Katherine Morris and Lecturer of Physics Lili Cui were cited or quoted. The story, “College 2.0: A Wired Way to Rate Professors—And to Connect Teachers,” ran Thursday, January 8.

http://chronicle.com/free/2009/01/9311n.htm (Subscription access possibly required)

UMBC Mechanical Engineering in the Urbanite
Baltimore-based Pique Performance Inc. has developed an insole-like device that redistributes pressure to the middle of the foot and the heel, relieving the stress on the ball of the foot that comes from wearing typical high-heeled shoes. Inventor Angela Singleton is creating the device with the help of mechanical engineers at UMBC, the Urbanite reported in its January 2009 issue. The item appeared in the “Breakthroughs” section.
http://www.urbanitebaltimore.com/sub.cfm?ArticleID=1124&IssueID=68&SectionID=4

UMBC in USA TODAY
The Princeton Review named UMBC to its “Best Value Colleges for 2009” list. In its Thursday, January 8, edition, USA TODAY released the 100 institutions selected by The Princeton Review.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/best-value-colleges.htm
Seth Vacek ’08 in the Baltimore Examiner
The Baltimore Examiner reported that Seth Vacek ’08 has become the youngest accepted applicant in the history of the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis. Vacek, who has cerebral palsy, graduated Thursday, December 18. The story, “Vacek Going to Boston Grad School,” appeared Tuesday, December 30.
http://www.baltimoreexaminer.com/local/123008newsmaker2.html