Libya Confirms Detention of Journalist Matthew VanDyke ’02, Political Science, in Baltimore Sun

The Baltimore Sun reports that Libyan authorities have acknowledged detaining journalist Matthew VanDyke ’02, political science, according to Maryland Rep. Ruppersberger. The UMBC community has been following VanDyke’s status since he was reported missing in March. In recent months, his mother, Sharon VanDyke, has been working with the US State Department and Red Cross, as well as other organizations, to locate her son and secure his release. In a June AP article, Thomas Schaller, professor of political science, called VanDyke one of his smartest students, saying, “I just know he’s going to come out on the other end with quite a yarn.”