After 41 years of distinguished service to UMBC, Ed Orser retired on August 1, 2010. Ed was a founding member of the Department of American Studies. He helped to build the Department’s curriculum from the ground up, mentored many faculty members, won both the Presidential and Regent’s awards for teaching excellence and served as chair for many years.
Ed is a leading scholar in urban and community studies as evidenced by his 1994 book, “Blockbusting in Baltimore: The Edmondson Village Story,” a classic study of the dynamics of racial change in a city neighborhood. As a public intellectual mindful of the need to inform civic discourse, he consistently translated his scholarship into accessible and popular exhibits, teaching materials, films, public lectures and community projects. Generations of American Studies students benefited from the research and fieldwork of the Community Studies Projects he designed and led for his classes.
Join us for a retirement celebration for Ed on Thursday, November 11, 7-10 p.m. in the Skylight Room. If you would like to contribute to a retirement gift, contact Carol Harmon at ext. 5-6276 or harmon@umbc.edu.
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