UMUC Achiever Magazine, Spring 2007

sp

rin

g 2

00

7the magazine of university of maryland university college

Dear Friend:

UMUC continues to grow and make

us proud.

Our continued growth is one of many

things that keep UMUC fresh and

relevant in today’s fast-paced world.

Some of the recent advances we’ve made are highlighted in this issue

of Achiever, alongside the men and women who help support that

growth and whose accomplishments testify to its importance.

You’ll meet Joseph Holston, an acclaimed artist whose lifelong belief

in the value of hard work and higher education has led him to make a

most generous gift to UMUC (and you’ll learn about our new Friends

of the Arts Program), which promises to help expand and maintain an

already impressive collection of art that is on display for all to enjoy

at our Adelphi, Maryland headquarters. You’ll read about the opening of

our new Dorsey Station center, and you’ll learn of several new awards

for excellence from the University Continuing Education Association

that speak, once again, of the recognition our learning

programs have received worldwide.

The things we do and the people we touch reflect our commitment to

UMUC’s mission. UMUC alumni live throughout Maryland, across the

United States, and around the world, and their lofty goals and achieve-

ments testify to the value of a UMUC degree. There is Arthur Tyler,

an Air Force draftee in the 1960s, who is now president of Sacramento

City College; there is Nancy Grey, director of pharmacovigilance and

process documentation for Pfizer Inc. and a committed advocate

of e-learning; and there is Stephen Moore, director of advanced

research computing at Georgetown University, who has co-

authored two popular books with a well-known top-40 deejay.

You’ll learn more about the activities and achievements that help

to fuel UMUC’s continued growth in “News and Updates,” the alumni

“Class Notes,” and “Faculty Kudos.” So I hope you’ll take a

little time to enjoy this issue of Achiever and to share your pride

by keeping in touch with your friends at UMUC.

Sincerely,

SUSAN C. ALDRIDGE, PHDPRESIDENT

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

View from the Top

PRESIDENT

Susan C. Aldridge, PhD

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Marilyn Eisenstadt

SENIOR WRITER AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Chip Cassano

ART DIRECTOR AND PHOTO EDITOR

Cynthia Friedman

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Amanda Agatstein, Allan Zackowitz

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Kathy Lambird

The Achiever is published three times a year by Marketing andCommunications at University of Maryland University College,Adelphi, Maryland. Call 240-582-2509 with your comments and suggestions, or send e-mail to [email protected]. University of Maryland University College subscribes to a policy of equaleducation and employment opportunities.

Using this combination of papers saves the following:

52 TREES35,000,000 BTUs: TOTAL ENERGY5,746 LBS CO2: GREENHOUSE GASES18,839 GALLONS WATER: WASTEWATER2,752 LBS: SOLID WASTE

The Achiever text pages are printed on forest-friendly CenturaDull FSC paper. The cover is printed on Reincarnation Matte.

Environmental impact estimates were made using theEnvironmental Defense Paper Calculator.

XX%

Cert no. XXX-XXX-000

10%

Cert no. SW-COC-2006

eco box

www.umuc.edu | 1 | Achiever

FEATURES

6 From the Streets of D.C. to theHalls of Academe BY ALLAN ZACKOWITZ

10 Research, Writing, and Rock ’n’ RollBY AMANDA AGATSTEIN

18 Nancy Grey, DC, MDE BY CHIP CASSANO

NEWS AND UPDATES

2 An Award-Winning Year at UMUC

2 UMUC Enrollments Soar in Fall 2006

3 UMUC Welcomes Mary Robinson,Former President of Ireland

3 Phi Alpha Theta Chapter Wins National Award

4 Couple Opens John Deere Dealership with MBA Expertise

5 UMUC’s Dorsey Station Center Opens in Howard County, Maryland

20 Class Notes and Faculty Kudos

24 Stay Connected

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

14 Art/Work BY CHIP CASSANO

From the pinnacle of the contemporary art world, artist Joseph Holston looks back on a career that spans more than 30 years and talks about the hard work, dreams, and determination that broughthim to where he is today.

10

6

COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY KATHERINE LAMBERT

Achiever | 2 | University of Maryland University College

News andUpdates

CTLA 201 Teaching withWebTycho Training Course.And UMUC’s chapter of PhiAlpha Theta—the nationalhonor society for students ofhistory—won a coveted BestChapter Award in Division VI,a division that includes chap-ters from the U.S. NavalAcademy, Catholic Universityof America, and University of Maryland, College Park,among others. (See “PhiAlpha Theta Chapter WinsNational Award,” p. 3.)

Last but certainly not least,UMUC’s innovative Master of Distance Education program (see the sidebar,p. 19 ) earned the new CEL(Programme Accreditationfor teChnology-EnhancedLearning) accreditation fromthe European Foundation forManagement and Develop-ment (EFMD). EFMD, a glob-al not-for-profit organizationbased in Belgium, bringstogether academics and senior leaders of schools ofbusiness and corporations to provide them with bench-marking and networkingopportunities and to offer an accreditation program fortechnology-enhanced learn-ing that aims to raise thestandard of information andcommunication technology-based learning programsworldwide.

“Taken together, theseawards paint a picture of adynamic and vital university,”said UMUC President SusanAldridge. “UMUC has abright future indeed, and I’m tremendously proud and pleased that respectedorganizations like UCEA,Sloan-C, EFMD, and othersare recognizing our increas-ingly prominent place in theworld of higher educationfor adult students.”

UMUC ENROLLMENTSSOAR IN FALL 2006BY BETH BUTLER

UMUC President SusanAldridge kicked off the univer-sity’s holiday celebrationearly this year with a specialTown Hall meeting onNovember 6 to announce thefinal fall 2006 enrollment fig-ures. Blue and gold balloonsadorned the Inn andConference Center ballroom,and a deejay played livelybackground music as facultyand staff members gatheredto hear the announcement.

They didn’t have long towait. University personnelparaded giant numbers

AN AWARD-WINNINGYEAR AT UMUCBY CHIP CASSANO

As UMUC nears its 60th

anniversary, its 59th year—2006—promises to go downin history as a banner yearfor the university. Along withrecord-setting enrollmentincreases, UMUC took homean impressive list of honorsand awards, starting with four from the UniversityContinuing EducationAssociation (UCEA).

For 2006, UCEA granted

H The Mid-Atlantic Region Award for Credit Program Development to UMUC for its new MS in biotech-nology program.

H The Mid-Atlantic Region Award for Outstanding Continuing Educator New to the Field to John Beyers, academic director of mathematics and statis-tics in UMUC’s School of Undergraduate Studies.

H The Mid-Atlantic Region Award for Broadcast Marketing to UMUC for twooutreach CDs—“Homeland Security Programs” and “Better Opportunities Through Online Education.”

H The Mid-Atlantic Region Award for Course Develop-ment and Academic Support to UMUC for its Constitution Day Web page(see www.umuc.edu/constitution).

Those awards were just thebeginning. UMUC’s Center forTeaching and Learning cap-tured the Sloan-C Excellencein Faculty Development forOnline Teaching award for the

across the stage as Aldridgeread off the final figures:enrollments totaled 33,096,including 10,028 new stu-dents, up 20.7 percent overlast fall’s enrollments andwell over the university’s ownenrollment goals. It was oneof the largest year-to-yearincreases in the university’s60-year history.

New in-state students—including 400 students whotransferred from two-year col-leges participating in UMUC’sCommunity College Allianceprogram—represented almosthalf of the increase, and morethan 2,800 new students onactive duty with the U.S. military enrolled, as well.Those figures also represent

UMUC PresidentSusan C. Aldridge(top) kicked off the university’s holidayfestivities early this year when she announced the enrollmentnumbers for fall2006. The 33,096total enrollmentsrepresented a 20.7percent increaseover fall 2005.

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HS

BY

JAM

ES

HA

MB

RIG

HT

increases over the past aca-demic year and reflect theuniversity’s renewed commit-ment to two of its major con-stituencies—Maryland stateresidents and individualsserving in the U.S. military.

Aldridge drew applausefrom the crowd when shepointed out that MarylandHigher Education Commissionofficials had questionedwhether UMUC could meetthis year’s lofty enrollmentgoals.

“I don’t think they’ll everunderestimate this teamagain,” Aldridge said. “Notonly did we meet our 2006goals, but we’ve already met our goals for 2007, aswell!”

Aldridge went on to thankthe faculty and staff memberswhose hard work helped fuelthe enrollment surge; shecalled special attention to the 68 faculty members fromthe School of UndergraduateStudies and Graduate School of Management andTechnology who made per-sonal telephone calls to14,360 current students whohad not enrolled recently tooffer encouragement andsupport.

At the end of the afternooncelebration, buttons were dis-tributed commemorating thesuccess of this year’s enroll-ment campaign. One read,“UMUC. Fall 2006. 33,096Students. Enough Said!”

PHI ALPHA THETACHAPTER WINSNATIONAL AWARDBY CHIP CASSANO

UMUC’s Alpha Epsilon Chichapter of Phi Alpha Theta—the national honor society forstudents of history—won theorganization’s Best ChapterAward for Division VI, 2006,the first time an online chapterhas claimed the award (AlphaEpsilon Chi meets online in aWebTycho classroom, dubbedPHAT 999, that also hosts thehistory club). Division VI com-prises schools with more than23,000 students, and UMUCfaced stiff competition from

the likes of the U.S. NavalAcademy, the CatholicUniversity of America, andUniversity of Maryland,College Park. The awardincluded a $250 certificatethat can be used to fund bookpurchases.

“Our Alpha Epsilon Chichapter has become increas-ingly active in regional confer-ences and activities since itwas established online in2000,” said Linda Ruggles,adjunct associate professor ofhistory and the chapter’s facul-ty advisor. “UMUC history stu-dents have presented papersand moderated sessions, andfaculty have provided com-mentary at Phi Alpha ThetaMid-Atlantic conferences.

UMUC Welcomes Mary Robinson,Former President of IrelandBY CHIP CASSANO

The UMUC community welcomed Mary Robinson—firstwoman president of Ireland and founder of the EthicalGlobal Initiative—to the university’s Adelphi, Maryland,headquarters the evening of November 1, 2006. Her pres-entation, “Human Rights and Ethical Globalization,” wasthe latest in the university’s well-regarded AcademicSpeaker Series and drew an enthusiastic response from the packed auditorium.

Robinson began her presentation on a humorous note,attributing her own interest in human rights to having beenraised, as she put it, “wedged” between four brothers, twoolder and two younger. “I had to be interested in humanrights,” she said. Her focus then turned serious as she discussed a variety of topics, including what she termed“the silent tsunami every week”—the thousands of childrenwho die worldwide because of hunger and preventable disease. She concluded her remarks by opening the floorfor questions from the audience and closed by reading passages from Seamus Heaney’s poem, “The Republic ofConscience,” which calls for each individual to be “anambassador of conscience.”

Robinson, who served as Ireland’s president from 1990through 1997, has since served as the United Nations HighCommissioner for Human Rights and now chairs theCouncil of Women World Leaders while serving as presi-dent of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative.She was named a “Hero and Icon” by Time magazine in its2005 list of the top 100 men and women whose “power,talent, or moral example is transforming the world.”

Given her back-ground in politics,international businessand law, and academ-ics, Robinson enjoys aunique perspective onworld affairs andglobalization. As vicepresident of Club ofMadrid, she works topromote democracyworldwide, and—with

the newly established Mastercard Foundation—she serves asone of five members on a prestigious board that focuses onmicrofinance, youth entrepreneurship, and education.

Robinson has received numerous honors and awardsworldwide—including membership in the Royal IrishAcademy and the American Philosophical Society—and holds the title of honorary president of Oxfam International. She serves on the boards of the Vaccine Fund, the GlobalCommission on Migration, the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights, the International Commission of Jurists,and many other organizations.

Robinson was educated at the University of Dublin (TrinityCollege), King’s Inns Dublin, and Harvard Law School, towhich she won a fellowship in 1967. She holds honorary doc-torates from more than 40 universities worldwide, includingHarvard, Yale, Columbia, Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh.

In 1988, Robinson and her husband, Nicholas Robinson,founded the Irish Centre for European Law at the Universityof Dublin, where she has since served as chancellor of theuniversity.

To view a webcast of Robinson’s presentation (you will need a copy of RealPlayer installed on your computer), visithttp://polaris.umuc.edu/cvu/mmedia/events/robinson.ram.



News andUpdates

“UMUC played a large rolein preparing us to plan, open,and operate a new business,”Darren said. For his final MBA project, he submitted a comprehensive proposal to Rosemary Hartigan—MBAprogram director in UMUC’sGraduate School of Manage-ment and Technology—foracquiring a John Deere deal-ership. The proposal includedeverything from a statisticalanalysis of market feasibilityand marketing plan to a business plan and financialrequirements.

“She must have thought itwas good because she gaveme an A,” he chuckled.

John Deere must havethought it was good, too,because they gave him thecontract to open a dealership.

Debbie Murphy also appre-ciated the program, especiallythose classes that supple-mented the business knowl-edge she had gained in fiveyears working for John Deere.

“We did a lot of marketingresearch and studied all themajor companies,” she recalled.“In one class we learned howthe Grateful Dead and the NBA are marketed. This gaveme a broad understanding ofhow businesses can becomesuccessful.”

Darren, too, has a historywith John Deere, havingworked for 12 years for the169-year-old farm equipmentcompany with its universallyrecognized yellow-on-greenleaping deer logo.

“I know John Deere insideand out,” he admitted, “having worked in everythingfrom marketing and sales to training and project man-agement.”

In pursuing their careerswith John Deere, the couplehas moved frequently—at dif-ferent times, they’ve calledKansas, California, Texas, andNevada home—and that madethe portability of UMUC’s MBAprogram a strong selling point.

“It’s a fantastic tool for theworking adult,” said Darren.“I’ve been all over the countrywhile working on my MBA.When you’ve got the schedulemost of us have in corporatelife, being able to workaround time constraints is anecessity. It enabled me tostudy at any hour, day ornight.”

“We’re looking to attracthomeowners, includingwomen and children,” saidDarren, noting that the townis growing because peopleare migrating from the cities,buying a few acres, andbuilding homes. “They’ll needsmall tractors, lawn mowers,and lawn care equipment.” He also sells merchandisewith the popular John Deerelogo and look—toys, shirts,and hats.

Darren serves as dealer,owner, and general manager,overseeing marketing andsales. Debbie handles thefinancial side and humanresources. Both do a “little bit of everything.”

Thanks to their UMUCMBAs, they’re well prepared.

The university even co-hostedthe 2002 conference withUniversity of Maryland,College Park, at UMUC’s Innand Conference Center.

“Because UMUC’s studentbody spans the globe, ourmembers have been invited toattend and present papers atany Phi Alpha Theta regionalconference,” said Ruggles.“Members attended confer-ences in Arizona, NorthCarolina, and New Jersey, aswell as the Mid-Atlantic con-ference in Frederick, Maryland.One of our members, JohnTabori, won the undergraduatenon-U.S. paper competition inNew Jersey.”

Today, Alph Epsilon Chiboasts a membership of 46current students. They haveeven developed an online initi-ation ceremony that allows allinductees to participate, nomatter where they are locatedgeographically.

“By granting the BestChapter Award to UMUC, PhiAlpha Theta has recognizedthat community is not limitedto face-to-face settings,” saidRuggles. “Alpha Epsilon Chidemonstrates that dynamiccommunities can thrive in avirtual setting, too.”

COUPLE OPENS JOHNDEERE DEALERSHIPWITH MBA EXPERTISEBY CELESTE RYAN

When the brand new MurphyFarm and Lawn opened forbusiness in Anderson, Missouri,owners Darren and DebbieMurphy realized a dream cometrue. The couple creditedUMUC’s MBA program withpreparing them to run their newJohn Deere dealership.

Debbie and Darren Murphy credit UMUC’s online MBA program with helping prepare them to run their new John Deere dealership in Anderson, Missouri.

UMUC’S DORSEY STATION CENTEROPENS IN HOWARDCOUNTY, MARYLANDBY CHIP CASSANO

UMUC’s new DorseyStation center officiallyopened for business with aribbon-cutting ceremony andopen house on October 19,2006, which brought univer-sity representatives togetherwith business and politicalleaders from HowardCounty, Maryland. SeveralUMUC alumni—like CountyExecutive Jim Robey—holdkey leadership positions inthe county, and prior to theribbon-cutting ceremony,UMUC President SusanAldridge co-hosted a specialbreakfast with Dick Story,CEO of the Howard County

Economic DevelopmentAuthority, to introduce UMUCto county business leaders.

The 22,000-square-footDorsey Station center—conveniently located acrossfrom the Dorsey Station stopon the MARC train line inElkridge, Maryland—promis-es students easy access to arange of undergraduate andgraduate courses, along withsupport services for thosestudying either on-site oronline.

“Anyone who has visitedthe Washington, D.C., metro-politan area knows that traf-fic can make even a shortcommute a real challenge,”said Aldridge. “We’re proudto be able to offer a conven-ient location for studentswho live and work north ofthe District in the Baltimorearea, and we’re especiallypleased at the enthusiasticwelcome we’ve receivedfrom Howard County’s busi-ness and political leaders.The Dorsey Station locationpromises to be a popularone for years to come.”

The center offers eveningand weekend classes inhigh-demand disciplines likebusiness and management(including courses leading to the university’s sought-after MBA degree), computerand information technology,homeland security manage-ment, health care adminis-tration, and more. In addi-tion, the center offers aca-demic advising, new com-puter labs, a library andmedia center, classroomswith state-of-the-art instruc-tional systems, and distanceeducation testing services.

For more about UMUC’sDorsey Station location, visit www.umuc.edu/dorseystation.

Creative. Caring. Committed.

UMUC needs facultyready to teach tomorrow’s leadersAt UMUC, we’re always looking for talented people who are ready to join our faculty and challenge our students in one of higher education’s most dynamic learning environments.

As a UMUC faculty member,you will

w Teach mature, motivated students with diversebackgrounds from around the world

w Receive superior training, which recently won the Excellence in Faculty Development for Online Teaching Award from the SloanConsortium

w Enjoy a collegial atmosphere with the latest ininstructional technologies and comprehensive support across all disciplines

Chris Sax (standing, right), assistantdean in UMUC’s School of Under-graduate Studies, answers visitors’questions during the grand opening of the new Dorsey Station center.

To learn more about faculty qualifications and how to apply, visitus at www.umuc.edu/facultyrecruit


FROM THE

Streets of D.C.

TO THE

Halls ofAcademe

Anyone who doubts the transforming power of education

should talk to Arthur Tyler.

BY A L L A N Z AC KOW I T Z

By his own admission, Art Tyler wasn’t supposed tomake it. He grew up on the streets of Washington,D.C., in the ’50s and ’60s, when there were few

prospects for poor black kids like him. He suffered fromdyslexia, which made it difficult for him to read and

study. But he worked hard, applied himself, and earnedgrades that were good enough to get him accepted into

college. Then he was drafted by the military.

But despite all of this—or maybe because of it—Tyler made it anyway. Many times over.


Art Tyler’s position at the head ofCalifornia’s oldest public communitycollege is miles away—literally andfiguratively—from where he grew up.

PH

OTO

GR

AP

H B

Y S

AU

L BR

OM

BE

RG

ER

AN

D S

AN

DR

A H

OO

VE

R


Today, Arthur Quinn Tyler Jr. is president of Sacramento CityCollege. He may be the only UMUC graduate to rise to that levelin academia, and along the way, he has formulated an educationalphilosophy that is very much based on his experience as a UMUCstudent. At the same time, he is putting into practice all that he’slearned from the unexpected twists that his life’s path has taken.

“While I was in the Air Force, I collected lots of college creditsfrom the Community College of the Air Force,” Tyler said, “butnot the right credits for a bachelor’s degree. My supervisor told methat I needed to focus.”

Tyler was in Tehran, Iran, at the time, serving with a small group of military advisors while the Shah of Iran was still in power andthe country was still a U.S. ally. His wife was working as theUMUC registrar in Tehran, so he decided to enroll for more credits.

“The UMUC dean of the whole region flew in from Heidelberg tomeet with me,” Tyler continued. “It wasn’t until I sat down withhim and my supervisor that I was able to put all the pieces together.By using some of my previous credits and the credits from myUMUC courses, I was able to earn a BS in business management ina very short period of time. In fact, I was the last person to graduate

from UMUC’s Tehran location. I finished my coursework inDecember of 1978, just before the Iranian revolution took place.”

Tyler, who had learned to speak Farsi while in the Middle East,helped organize the evacuation of military families from Iran inearly 1979. And by that time, his career was really on its way.“It was due to my degree from UMUC that I got a commission in the Air Force,” he said. He decided to stay in the military andcontinue with his education, earning a master’s degree in national

Again, the job depended on my

undergraduate degree in business

management from UMUC. I was hired

as vice president of administration at

Los Angeles City College to straighten

out the school’s finances and fix up

their rundown campus,” Tyler said.

“

PH

OTO

GR

AP

H B

Y S

AU

L BR

OM

BE

RG

ER

AN

D S

AN

DR

A H

OO

VE

R


security affairs four yearslater from the NavalPostgraduate School. Hecontinued to serve in theAir Force for 21 years,moving around the worldand working in antiterror-ism and protective services,eventually retiring with therank of captain in 1989.

After leaving the Air Force,Tyler returned to theUnited States and went towork in the security analysisfield, investigating fraud,waste, and accountingabuse cases. His experiencein the military and his mas-ter’s degree helped himbuild a good reputation inthe fast-growing securityfield, and he credits hisUMUC bachelor’s degree inbusiness management withgiving him the solid framework he needed to build on so that hecould succeed in his business.

Tyler’s business ventures led him to Southern California, wherehe and his family decided to make their home. After eight yearsin business, he decided it was time to “give something back.”Once again, his UMUC degree was the key that allowed him toreach his goal.

“Again, the job depended on my undergraduate degree in busi-ness management from UMUC. I was hired as vice president ofadministration at Los Angeles City College to straighten out theschool’s finances and fix up their rundown campus,” Tyler said.“I thought I would stay four or five years at LACC and then goback into business.”

That didn’t happen. After seven distinguished years at Los AngelesCity College, Tyler got a call from the state chancellor of education,asking him to come serve as a troubleshooter at ComptonCommunity College, another school that was in both financial andacademic trouble and that had just been taken over by the state.Tyler spent 15 months there as a “special trustee.”

Even the state chancellor admitted that the job could have been a“career-ender” for anyone with aspirations in the field of higher edu-cation. Instead, Tyler is widely credited with restoring order andstarting the turnaround that the troubled school needed.

By that time, Tyler washooked on education. Sohe applied for the job ofpresident at SacramentoCity College (SCC), a 90-year-old community col-lege with an ethnically andculturally diverse studentpopulation of 22,000,located in California’s statecapital. After a nationwidesearch, 50 candidates werecompeting for the posi-tion. Tyler—the only can-didate without a lifelongcareer in academia—got it.

Tyler has been presidingover SCC, the oldestpublic community col-lege in California, sinceAugust 2005. He callshimself CEO, not presi-dent, and believes a college leader needs theskills of an executivemore than he needs aca-demic credentials. And,

not surprisingly, his organizational approach emphasizes adultstudents in the workforce who are facing life challenges.

“People helped me, and I’m passing it on to others,” Tyler explained.“The faculty and staff are here for the students, to nurture themthrough the [education] process while maintaining high standards.Discipline and academic rigor are expected and appreciated.”

Tyler wants his faculty to be willing to talk about specific elementsof learning. “Spooning out knowledge doesn’t work,” he said. “It’sthe interaction between people, and the faculty learn from the stu-dents, too. Thoughtful and civil discussions create knowledge—theideal way to learn.”

Sacramento City College seems like the perfect place for a self-avowed “lifelong learner” like Tyler. And so far it appears to be agood match for both the school and its new president.

“I was surprised by the warmth of the welcome I received from thepeople of SCC and the city of Sacramento,” Tyler admitted.“Everybody wants to cooperate, to help, to pitch in.”

It looks like UMUC graduate Arthur Quinn Tyler Jr. is making it,all over again. P

M E M O R I E S

Arthur Quinn Tyler Jr. asa student in Washington,D.C. (top left), an officer

in the U.S. Air Force (middle), and thepresident of Sacramento City College(bottom right), where he doesn’t hesitateto pitch in to improve his campus, nomatter how or when duty calls.


ROCK ’N’ ROLLScientific administrator.

acclaimed author. and , , , lead guitarist?

Steve Moore does it all.thanks in part to his UMUC degree,

THERE ARE PROBABLY BETTER WAYS TO LAUNCH A CAREER in science thanby dropping out of college, but for Steve Moore, that’s how it all started. He had beensinging and playing the guitar professionally since the age of 15, and in the early 1970s,he was focused on a career in music. So, when he packed his things to become a full-timestudent at University of Maryland, College Park, he simply had other things on his mind.

“I was a student at College Park, but I was more drawn to my own music,” said Moore.“Also, the atmosphere at the time was very politically charged and I got involved. I justdidn’t have a strong appreciation for my classes and what I could learn there with every-thing else going on.”

So Moore put his education on hold. Unfortunately, he couldn’t puthis bills on hold, and his music career wasn’t bringing in enough

money. He needed a job. He’d always been interested in science, and he took a positionas a research assistant at a laboratory in Rockville, Maryland, where he worked withchimpanzees. That led him to an opening for a technician at the Georgetown UniversityMedical Center in 1976. Not long after, he got married.

B y Amanda A g a t s t e i n

Writing Research

PH

OT O

GR

AP

H B

Y M

AR

K FIN

KE

NS

TAE

DT

AND


“I was slowly building a career in science, startingas a technician at Georgetown,” said Moore. “Inthe meantime, my wife, Margaret, a successfulcomputer programmer and now program man-ager at Social and Scientific Systems in SilverSpring, suggested that I take computer classes. So that brought me to UMUC in the evenings.”

As he accumulated credits and began to thinkabout completing a degree, Moore’s old politicalcuriosity resurfaced, and he started work towarda bachelor’s degree with a specialization in politi-cal science. He quickly discovered that he had a newfound apprecia-tion for his courses and the value each one offered him professional-ly. It was something he hadn’t been able to relate to when he firstwent away to college.

“I remembered a few of the professors from my days at CollegePark,” said Moore. “There was a Chinese history course with a professor who I really didn’t give much credit. But at UMUC as an adult, I could really see the value in what he taught. I was justmore mature and ready to experience it.”

Moore’s political science major offered challenges on a different levelthan he was accustomed to. His courses were debate-heavy and

focused on ideas, communication skills, and the abilityto persuade. That gave him the chance to look at dif-fering viewpoints and learn what others had to say.

“Introverts, extroverts, everyone—we all have some-thing to bring to the discussion,” said Moore. “I hadto listen to what people were saying and gain theirrespect. This was something I just wasn’t ready toembrace at 17; I wasn’t open to that richness.”

But as he took on more responsibility as a studentand professional, something had to give, and hismusical career—which had once been such a priorityin his life—had to be put aside. But Moore wasn’tready to abandon music altogether.

“After I was married and we had our first child, I quitmy band,” said Moore. “It was hard to let go of that,but there were other essential things to attend to. Butthat didn’t mean I wasn’t involved in music. I startedto write articles about music and sell them to majormagazine publications.”

Never one to shrink from a challenge, Moore soonsaw his byline in Rolling Stone, the Washingtonian,and various Times Journal Company publications.He attributes his growth as a writer to the earlycourses he took at UMUC, which encouraged him towrite and develop solid communication skills.

“I was taking some great writing courses that reallyimproved my abilities—which I really needed since Ispent my days working with rather brilliant scien-tists,” said Moore. “It really helped me perform in myday job as well as improve my commercial writing.”

Moore graduated from UMUC with a Bachelor ofScience in 1990. His degree quickly opened up a newdoor in his technical career.

“I told the dean of research about my degree when the positionof director of computer and lab services opened,” said Moore.“I believe this was the pivotal point in my career. Today, I amthe program director of Advanced Research Computing (ARC)at Georgetown, and our eight-person team works to supportcomputational scientists with projects ranging from physics tocancer research. A bachelor’s degree is required.”

Just three years after earning his degree, Moore reached anothermilestone when he published his first book—Helen Hayes: A Bio-Bibliography, co-authored by Donn B. Murphy and with a forewordby the actress herself. The book chronicled Hayes’s long career and

“It wasn’t alwayseasy,” said Moore.“We dug deep and got into thepersonal stuff. But he’s a lovelyguy. We had a lot of fun together andnever argued.”

Steve Moore (left) with radiolegend Johnny Holliday, top-40 deejay and the “Voiceof the Maryland Terrapins.”

PH

OTO

GR

AP

H B

Y M

AR

K FIN

KE

NS

TAE

DT


personal life and required extensive research and writing, not to mention teamwork with his co-author.The book was well received by critics and readers alikeand is now in its second printing.

That was all the encouragement Moore needed, and, as he worked at Georgetown, he continued to write formajor publications, developing a feature-length articleabout legendary radio deejay Johnny Holliday, known tomany as the “Voice of the Maryland Terrapins” for his game-day commentary at football and basketball games.

“I spent the day with [Holliday], getting to know him andinterviewing him for the article,” said Moore. “Years later, the MBNA Career Center at Georgetown asked for staff recommendations for a speaker to come and discuss careers inbroadcasting, so I suggested Johnny.”

Holliday had just been featured in a book about radio deejaysthe day Moore called him with the invitation to addressGeorgetown students. “Johnny was pleased that his radio workwas mentioned in that book,” said Moore. “But I told Johnnythat he should write his own book about his life.” Hollidayreplied, “[I will] if you’ll help me.”

For the next two years, Moore worked closely with co-authorHolliday on Johnny Holliday: From Rock to Jock. Washington Postcolumnist and personality Tony Kornheiser contributed the foreword. Moore interviewed more than 40 people and met notablesports figures like Maryland men’s basketball coach Gary Williams.His goal was to chronicle Holliday’s memoriesand fully explore the many challenges he hadovercome. Through this long process, Mooreand Holliday became very close friends.

“It wasn’t always easy,” said Moore. “Wedug deep and got into the personal stuff.But he’s a lovely guy. We had a lot of funtogether and never argued. Johnny’s thekind of guy who is always more interest-ed in how others are doing and goes outof his way to make people feel happy and appreciated.”

The success of From Rock to Jock (the book drew favorablereviews from the Washington Post and from National PublicRadio’s Cokie Roberts) led Moore to collaborate on a second book with Holliday, Hoop Tales: Maryland TerrapinsMen’s Basketball, published in November 2006. The book’spublisher, Globe Pequot, specifically asked Moore andHolliday to write the book because of their work on From Rock to Jock.

For Moore, it was another opportuni-ty to work with Holliday and a chance

to find out about the legendaryMaryland Terrapins men’s basketball

team firsthand. Along with taking an in-depth look at players and coaches, the

book explores new aspects of the team’s history, including interviews with referees.

“A lot of books have been written since the2002 NCAA Championship,” said Moore.

“We examine that, of course, but there’s so much that happenedmany years before. And there’s insider information that only Johnnycan provide.” One tidbit Moore offered, for example, was thatHolliday was very close to Len Bias, the Maryland all-star who diedtragically the day after being picked second overall by the BostonCeltics in the 1986 NBA draft. Holliday sang at Bias’s private funeral.

Overall, Moore’s experience writing Hoop Tales was especially mean-ingful after so many years of living in Maryland and watching theteam grow.

“It’s been terrific, because being a graduate of UMUC and theUniversity System of Maryland and attending so many on-siteclasses on the College Park campus, I’m a Terp, too,” said Moore.“So I care about the history and appreciate the opportunity to

work with Johnny in telling that story.”

And finally, with his children, Charles andSuzanna, grown and his careers as anadministrator and writer well established,Moore has even found the time to returnto his early love—music. His band, theRazors, specializes in rock, blues, andcountry, and features one member with avery familiar last name—Charlie Moore,Steve’s 21-year old son.

“I’m definitely still lost to the music,” saidMoore. “I play guitar and sing with theband. We play at parties and events in thearea. It’s much more satisfying than beforebecause the other areas of my life—my27-year marriage, my family, my writing,and my 30-year Georgetown career—are my proud priorities. And now, I’m solucky to have my son playing the drumsand making music with me.” P

One of Moore’s first jobs involvedworking with primates. Today, he likes to keep in touch.

To date, Moore has co-authored two books with Johnny Holliday. In the process, the two have become close friends.


Joseph Holston is a giant of contemporary art. His secrets? Talent, hard work, and an unwavering focus on his goals.

B Y C H I P C A S S A N O

ar t /workar t /work

THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY. This is the decade of American Idoland YouTube. This is a day and age when fame—unencumbered by talent—comes and goes in the twinkle of apaparazzi’s flash.

And yet, here stands Joseph Holston, atthe peak of a career that has spannedmore than 30 years, his stature in the artworld secure, talking about hard work andpatience. Talking about dreams and theimportance of education. Talking aboutchanging people with paint on canvas. P

HO

TOG

RA

PH

BY

KA

TH

ER

INE

LA

MB

ER

T

kk


“I always want the characters in my works to engage viewers so com-pletely that they are drawn into and become, in essence, an integralpart not only of each individual composition but of the entire exhi-bition, . . .” wrote Holston, in the introduction to a major exhibi-tion at UMUC in 2003. “Ideally, viewers will become so interwovenin the art that the line between where the viewer ends and the artbegins no longer exists.”

That might seem like wishful thinking, but after standing for amoment before a Holston masterpiece, one begins to grasp theartist’s vision. The two dimensions of the canvas open into a worlddeep with nuance and emotion. The characters seem alive, notposed so much as paused, mid-gesture, waiting patiently while theviewer becomes, not a voyeur or even a curious bystander, but a par-ticipant, one who understands.

It is an artistic feat that Holston accomplishes with remarkable subtlety. His abstract style draws from the cubist tradition, and it

is honed to near perfection. His subjects—distilled to their elements—convey rich shades of character and emotion that seemthe result of something almost magical, an artistic sleight-of-hand.The quizzically arched eyebrow, the tilted head, the slightest misarrangement of hands, and we begin to understand, somehow,the dreams and dignity and quiet courage of the men and womenHolston commits to canvas.

“I tend to gravitate to studying human beings,” said Holston.“I study their emotions, study their body language, and try to understand the love and emotions that come out of all of that. That’s where I find my inspiration. And I think that every artist needs to get in touch with that. What do you really love?”

For Holston himself, that question was easily answered. When hewas a boy, his mother, whom Holston calls a “book fanatic,” enrolledin a series of home study courses, one of which focused on art.

Joseph Holston’s work has been featured in twomajor exhibits at UMUC, the most recent, entitled “Dialogue in Color and Form: The Art of Joseph Holston,” opened at the Arts ProgramGallery in October 2003.

UMUC houses one of the world’s largestcollections of work by Maryland artists, alongwith its renowned Art of China and JapanesePrints collections. The university’s ArtsProgram sponsors regular exhibitions, freeand open to the public, of work by some ofthe region’s most highly acclaimed artists.

CCOONNTTRRIIBBUUTTOORRSS EENNJJOOYY TTHHEE FFOOLLLLOOWWIINNGG BBEENNEEFFIITTSS::

ASSOCIATE Gifts of less than $35. Associatesreceive the Arts Program semiannual newsletter.

FR I EN D Gifts of $35 or more. Friendsreceive a UMUC Friends of the Arts Programlapel pin and the Arts Program newsletter.

BRONZE LEVEL FR I EN D Gifts of $100 or more. Bronze Level Friends receive the Arts Program lapel pin, newsletter, andfour-color brochures from the two major artexhibits each year.

S I LVER LEVE L FR I EN D Gifts of $250or more. Silver Level Friends receive the ArtsProgram lapel pin, newsletter, four-colorbrochures, and posters (suitable for framing)from the two major art exhibits each year.

GOLD LEVEL FR I EN D Gifts of $500 or more. Gold Level Friends receive the ArtsProgram lapel pin, newsletter, collectiblebrochures, posters, and collectible catalogsfrom the two major art exhibits each year.

PLATI N UM LEVEL FR I EN D Gifts of at least $1,000. Platinum Level Friends receive all of the benefits as Gold Level Friends, as wellas exclusive invitations to receptions, seminars,and “Meet the Artist” talks that are part of thetwo major exhibits each year.

FR I EN DS OF TH E ARTS PROGRAMNow, you can help support this priceless

component of UMUC. The newly establishedFriends of the Arts Program is offering chartermembership to donors who contribute by June 30, 2007.

Gifts from Friends of the Arts Program members will support and enhance the ArtsProgram’s projects and offerings, helping todefray the cost of mounting exhibits, maintain-ing and conserving works of art, and expand-ing the collection.

BECOME A CHARTER MEMBER OF FRIENDS OF THE ARTS PROGRAM by sending your tax-deductible donation

to the UMUC Foundation in the enclosed, self-addressed envelope.

PH

OTO

GR

AP

H B

Y K

AT

HE

RIN

E LA

MB

ER

T

(Left to right:) Dr. Robert E. Steele, executive director of the David C. Driskell Center at University of Maryland, College Park, with Joseph Holston, UMUC President Susan C. Aldridge, and UMUC Art Advisory Board member Juanita Boyd Hardy.


“When all the other kids were out playing, I was inside, in thehouse, studying with her and copying her work,” said Holston.

But for a young black man growing up in America in the 1950sand ’60s, a love for art seemed like an unlikely foundation onwhich to build a solid livelihood. And his mother was reluctant tosee him pursue a career that she feared would offer him littleopportunity to prosper.

At about that same time, however, the family moved from ChevyChase, Maryland—a suburb of Washington, D.C.—into theDistrict itself, and Holston met a young man who opened his eyesto a new world of opportunity.

“He attended Chamberlain Vocational High School, and he toldme all about the school,” said Holston. “And it sounded like all hedid all day was create art. I said, ‘This is high school?’ And I imme-diately associated it with my own interests. I said to myself,‘Attending high school and being able to create art all day long?That’s a no-brainer!’”

So, despite his mother’s misgivings, Holston got on the bus one day and rode it all the way to the high school, where he took theentrance exam and passed.

“I came home and told my mom, ‘I passed the test, Mom. Theyaccepted me!’” said Holston. “And she said, ‘Well, what can Ido?’ I think that was when she real-ized how determined I was to makeart my career, and that was whenshe ‘joined the cause.’”

It helped that the program atChamberlain was a practical one,focused on commercial art, and thatthe school promised to help gradu-ates find jobs in the field. So, freshout of high school in 1964, Holstonlaunched a career in commercial artand illustrating. But he knew some-thing was missing.

“You have to understand that whenI was a commercial artist, I didn’twant to be a commercial artist,”said Holston. “I think at that time Iwanted to be Norman Rockwell. Hehad the best job in the world, paint-ing images for magazine covers.And I thought that was what Iwanted to do. But when I got closerto illustrating—and I did a lot of

it—I began to realize that that wasn’t what I wanted to do either. Iwanted to be a fine artist.

“But I also knew that I had to learn how to make a living, and atfirst, I couldn’t do that as a fine artist. Now, when I look back, Irealize that my commercial art career was really very brief, onlyabout eight years. The rest of the time—from 1970 on—I havebeen a fine artist. So the sacrifices that I made back then paid off.”

That’s a message that Holston shares with students everywhere.Though he never completed a formal college education, he hasbeen a lifelong student and advocate for education, attendingHoward University and Montgomery College, studying the workof a dizzying array of modern artists, and working one-on-onewith notables like Richard Goetz, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, andMarcos Blahove, in Washington, D.C.

He shares his own wealth of knowledge, in turn, as a guest lecturer at schools nationwide, visiting institutions like DePauwUniversity, Howard University, Delaware State University,Bowling Green State University, and others. He served as artist-in-residence at North Carolina A&T State University, and for 15years he and his wife, Sharon, have hosted an annual open houseat their home in Silver Spring, Maryland; for the past four years,a generous portion of the proceeds have been earmarked to sup-port art-related programs at a designated museum or university.Sales from this year’s exhibit raised more than $50,000 in support

of UMUC’s Arts Program.

“My education as a commercialartist was fantastic,” said Holston.“It gave me a technical backgroundand understanding; I learned howto see, I learned how to analyzewhat I saw, and I was able to trans-late that over into fine art.

“When I speak to students, I try toexplain that to them. It can be sointimidating, if you attend a univer-sity and major in art, to get ready tograduate and have to look around andask, ‘OK, what’s next?’ To be an artist,you may have to make concessions,you may have to go around andabout, but you have to keep your eyes on your goal.”

For Joseph Holston, that focus hasled him straight to the pinnacle of contemporary art, and the worldis richer for it. P

Holston’s Boy in Red Cap (1972) is an example of his earlywork; as time passed, he refined a more abstract style,heavily influenced by cubist traditions.


As an undergraduate, Nancy Grey didn’t know she would endup championing e-learning solutions for a company with 157years of history, more than 100,000 employees, and annual rev-enues north of $50 billion. Like many UMUC students, shebegan with a very different picture of where her career pathwould lead.

“I started out in the pre-med program at Manhattan College,and I was all set to go to medical school and follow that path,”said Grey. “But a family friend who is a chiropractor said, ‘Youknow, I’d like to introduce you to what I do.’”

Grey liked what she learned. Chiropractors treat spinal misalign-ments—vertebral subluxations—that many believe can have seri-ous long-term health consequences, and Grey was drawn by thatholistic approach to healthcare. So she tackled the four-year

She intended to be amedical doctor; to date,she’s been a chiropractor,entrepreneur, mother,and e-learning guru for apharmaceutical giant.This is her story.

B Y C H I P C A S S A N O

course of study, earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree, andopened a practice in Colorado.

One year later, she was having second thoughts. The variety ofintriguing cases and challenging diagnoses that she so enjoyed in chi-ropractic school had been replaced by a monotonous routine, withmost patients suffering from back pain or sciatica. And while treatingback pain and sciatica is a very worthwhile—not to mention poten-tially lucrative—pursuit, Grey was looking for something more.

“I just found it a bit limiting,” she admitted. “In school, you getto see all these interesting and unusual cases, and that’s just not-what you see in private practice.”

So she was open to a change when, once again, opportunityknocked. “I had to go to a funeral one morning, and there was

NANCY GREY, DC, MDENANCY GREY, DC, MDE

ILLUS

TR

AT

ION

BY

GO

RD

ON

ST

UD

ER


no choice but to close my practice,” said Grey. “And I thought, ‘I shouldn’t have to close for that. There should be someone Icould call who could run the practice while I’m gone.’”

There wasn’t, so Grey stepped in to fill the void. She moved backto New York and established a temporary agency for chiroprac-tors. Over the next eight years, she grew the company, building anetwork of more than 60 chiropractors serving practices in NewYork, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Her success didn’t go unnoticed, and soon enough an investormade an offer she couldn’t refuse. Grey sold her business for ahandsome profit, but there was a downside. She needed a job.

Grey’s father, who had worked for Pfizer, Inc., suggested that herbackground in science might suit her for a position with thepharmaceutical giant. He was right.

“I had taught all the way through school and taught the nationaland state board review classes for both the basic and clinical sci-ences,” Grey said, “so I came to Pfizer and, after learning thebusiness, moved into the training department, where I was instru-mental in launching e-learning.”

For a company like Pfizer—one of the world’s largest drug mak-ers and the parent company to such universally recognized brandnames as Lipitor®, Zithromax®, and Viagra®—appropriate andtimely training is vital. Grey, for instance, is director of pharma-

covigilance education and processdocumentation. In that role, sheworks to ensure that, as drugs aretested for safety, researchers aretrained to document and reportproperly any adverse findings tothe appropriate governing agency.There is little room for error.

UMUC’s innovative Master of Distance Education(MDE) is designed to train professionals to manageall facets of distance education efforts in education,business, government, and nonprofit organizations.

Recently, the MDE program earned the new CEL(Programme Accreditation for teChnology-EnhancedLearning) accreditation from the European Founda-tion for Management and Development (EFMD). EFMD, a global not-for-profit organization based inBelgium, brings together leaders in business and education to provide benchmarking and network-ing opportunities and to offer an accreditation program for technology-enhanced learning that willraise the standards of technology-based learningprograms worldwide.

For more about the Master of Distance Education,visit www.umuc.edu/mde.

ABOUT UMUC’S MASTER OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

“We are highly regulated,” said Grey. “There is no excuse when theFDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] shows up for a surpriseaudit and someone’s training record isn’t in order. It must be in order.The company’s very existence depends on it, because if you’re not incompliance with a regulatory agency, they can shut you down.”

E-learning has proved to be an ideal fit. Not only can employ-ees in Pfizer’s global workforce train anytime, anywhere, but e-learning makes it easy to provide just-in-time training and keep careful track of whether training is up-to-date.

continued on following page

ABOUT UMUC’S MASTER OF DISTANCE EDUCATION


CLASS NOTES

Donald L. Waterworth Sr.’62Pocahontas, Arkansas,

recently received the AARP Andrus Award forCommunity Service. He retired from the U.S.Air Force and now serves as a full-time volun-teer with the Good Earth Association.

Nicholas Brockunier ’76Port Tobacco, Maryland,returned to teaching in

2002 after eight years as assistant dean of business and management studies in UMUC’sSchool of Undergraduate Studies. He wrote, “I am proud of how our group changed thecurriculum, developed majors, minors, and certificates, and how we increased the diversityand educational expertise of our faculty.”

Joseph E. Bowker ’77Silver Spring, Maryland, retired from theWalter Reed Army Medical Center Departmentof Social Work in 2005. He wrote, “UMUCwas instrumental in my education in manyways.”

Jim Koepke ’82Rohnert Park, California,recently published his

third book, My North Korean Vacation(PublishAmerica, 2006), a political thriller.

Grady O. Tucker ’82Gaithersburg, Maryland, is currently consultingon government data compression projects.After graduating from UMUC, he completed amaster’s degree in quality systems managementfrom the National Graduate School of QualityManagement in Massachusetts.

Darlene Klinksieck ’85Raleigh, North Carolina, has joined theHutchison Law Group PLLC. During her 20-year career in intellectual property, she alsotaught classes on trademark law at UMUC.

Henry M. Holloway ’86Chula Vista, California, wrote that his educa-tion and the opportunities UMUC providedled to the success of his careers, both in themilitary and in the civil service. He wrote,“UMUC provided a path to higher educationfor me that eventually led to a Master ofScience degree from USC.”

Thomas Lang ’85Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, recently left the practice of civil litigation to become director of operations for Real Alternatives, a nonprofitcorporation that serves Pennsylvania womenand their families.

Robert Hastings ’86Montgomery Village, Maryland, is vice presi-dent for corporate communications at BAESystems US. He was recently honored with theGold Quill Award for Excellence in Commun-ications Management by the InternationalAssociation of Business Communicators. Beforejoining BAE Systems, he served as an aviatorand public affairs officer in the U.S. Army.

Patricia Y. Jones ’86 & ’96Fort Washington, Maryland, was recentlynamed Apprentice Certified EntrepreneurshipTeacher of the Year by the National Foundationfor Teaching Entrepreneurship. She became ateacher at Bladensburg High School seven yearsago, after a long career as a research analyst andinvestigator for the Federal Trade Commission.The honor carries with it a cash award of$1,000 and a scholarship to attend the founda-tion’s advanced teacher forum at the ColumbiaBusiness School.

Audrey Owens ’88Chicago, Illinois, was the first student to serveas president of UMUC’s Student AdvisoryCouncil. She wrote, “UMUC’s faculty took apersonal interest in me as a student and as amember of the governing body. I would like toencourage all prospective students to take thechallenge and experience what UMUC has tooffer. You won’t regret it. . . . I didn’t.”

Patricia Ann Westlein ’88Olney, Maryland, wrote, “UMUC’s flexible anddiverse program allowed me to complete mydegree while holding a full-time job and rais-ing a family and ultimately prepared me tocomplete my MBA at George WashingtonUniversity (before UMUC instituted its MBAprogram).”

Sharon Ann Campbell ’91New Martinsville, WestVirginia, has completed one

graduate degree since graduating from UMUCand is currently pursuing another. She wrote, “I

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

Grey was already hard at work in her newposition when opportunity knocked athird time, and she heard about UMUC’sMaster of Distance Education program.

“You have to understand that Pfizer is a sci-ence-based company,” said Grey. “There’sjust an alphabet soup of degrees and lettersafter everyone’s name. It’s a status thing. So,in a field like e-learning, being a practition-er is one thing, but having an academicbackground is crucial. It lends credibility towhat you do and enables you speak to sen-ior leadership with a degree of authority.”

There were other obstacles to overcome,though. As Grey began her first semester atUMUC, she learned that she was pregnant.In the ensuing months, she would givebirth, go through a divorce and annulment,and begin life as a single mother, all whilejuggling her responsibilities at Pfizer.

“I went through some tremendous lifechanges,” said Grey, “but the wonderfulthing about [UMUC’s] program is thatyou can tailor it to your personal needs. It’s still a lot of work; sometimes, it seemedalmost overwhelming. But when you’refacing a challenging time, you take onecourse per semester instead of two, andyou just know that you must persevere and that you can succeed.

“I was on the computer at 4 a.m. while mydaughter was asleep, or during my lunchhour at work, and—because I work in NewYork City—I read so much on the trainthat it was unbelievable. My point is this:You can fit online learning into yourlifestyle; you just have to figure out where.”

At the end of the day, Grey focuses onresults—in her own life and on the job.And the results are good.

“Pfizer gets audited regularly, but becausewe pay close attention to training and tothe feedback we get from agencies, ouraudit record is commendable,” said Grey. P

continued from page 19


believe in lifelong learning, and it all startedwith UMUC!”

Anna Doroshaw ’91Silver Spring, Maryland, manages leadershipdevelopment programs at the U.S. Departmentof Veterans Affairs. She has been an internalconsultant on learning and leadership in thefederal government since the early 1990s.

Mark Miguel ’93Mentone, California, recently completed aMaster of Education with a specialization incurriculum and instruction and plans to enrollin an administrative credential program. Hehas been teaching elementary school for thepast 10 years and hopes to become a vice prin-cipal or principal.

William “Skip” Paetz ’93Virginia Beach, Virginia, retired from theU.S. Navy as a lieutenant commander in2005, after 28 years of service. He wrote,“UMUC allowed me to work on my degreeonline while doing the job I enjoy. The flexi-bility of the online program and the greatprofessors helped me achieve my goals andhave inspired me to begin the next level ofmy education.”

Susmita Gongulee Thomas ’93Schaumburg, Illinois, completed her ProjectManagement Professional certification aftergraduating from UMUC. She also received theBlue Chip Enterprise Award—from the U.S.Chamber of Commerce—as well as theCanadian Project Excellence Award.

Rudy Mazariegos ’95 & ’01Silver Spring, Maryland, has been named chief information officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, inWashington, D.C. The agency administers theSenior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn andServe America programs.

Ronald G. Taylor ’95San Antonio, Texas, holds a senior manage-ment position with the Boeing Co. and ispursuing an MS in information technologyfrom UMUC. He is also active with UMUC’sLone Star Alumni Association in SanAntonio.

Are you thinking about embarkingon a new career or advancing inyour current field? If so, now maybe a good time to check out all thenew programs and courses offeredat UMUC. We’re constantly updat-ing our programs to give you thetools you need to succeed intoday’s competitive job market andglobal economy. Explore the newways UMUC can help you writeyour own success story.

w Three new majors—investigative forensics, lab management,and political science—expand an already extensive selectionof undergraduate degree programs.

w Three specializations—homeland security management, information assurance, and project management—tailor ourpopular master’s degree programs for today’s vital careers.

w More than 80 career-enhancing undergraduate and graduate certificates—in everything from accounting to the brand-newglobal management—are perfect for part-time students.

w Plus, our award-winning National Leadership Institute (NLI) offers mid- and senior-level managers the leadership develop-ment programs and executive coaching they need to compete and win in business today.

800-888-UMUC • www.umuc.edu/yourstory

Write Your Own Success StoryAT U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A R Y L A N D U N I V E R S I T Y C O L L E G E


CLASS NOTES

Robert Evans ’96Australia, wrote, “Earning a degree [with a spe-cialization in] Asian studies definitely gave mea better understanding of the places I traveledto or was stationed. . . . I certainly applied thewriting skills I gained from UMUC to my 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force. It’s so impor-tant for folks coming in the service nowadaysto have solid writing skills.”

Ronald Warner ’96Asia, completed his associate’s and bachelor’sdegrees in Korea, where his father was sta-tioned and where he worked as a supply clerk.He wrote that UMUC Asia “provided me theopportunity to be with my family and get aneducation from some great teachers.”

James Rineaman ’01Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, wrote, “Greatexperience, great education. I can highly recommend UMUC!”

James David Hersh ’02 & ’04Takoma Park, Maryland, is the technical servicemanager for Victor O. Schinnerer & Company,Inc., a professional liability underwriting compa-ny. He wrote that, after retiring, he would like toearn a Doctor of Management degree and teach.

Jonathan Kaster ’02Eau Claire, Wisconsin, works for BeckmanCoulter, Inc., a manufacturer of biomedical test-ing supplies. He wrote, “The instructors atUMUC were great, and I really appreciated theopportunity to complete my degree requirementsby utilizing the distance education program.”

Doreen Mannion ’02Bowie, Maryland, has been named a fellow ofthe Society for Technical Communication, aprofessional organization for technical writers,editors, illustrators, managers, and educators.She is a quality assurance manager for CatapultTechnology and is currently pursuing a Masterof Divinity degree from Wesley TheologicalSeminary, in Washington, D.C.

Matthew J. Frawley ’03Silver Spring, Maryland, is in his final year ofstudy at the David A. Clarke School of Law atthe University of the District of Columbia.The class of 70 students also includes anotherUMUC graduate—Melisha Souders. Frawleywrote, “UMUC is the reason we will soon bereceiving our JD degrees.”

Willie F. Willis ’03St. Petersburg, Florida, works at BaypinesVeterans Administration Hospital. He wrote,“UMUC helped me to define myself as a per-son. . . . It made me more aware of the thingsaround me and in the world.”

Anthony Silibe Aneke ’05Beltsville, Maryland, works for EA Engin-eering and is studying to complete the second half of his dual degree program, the MBA. He wrote that he chose UMUCbecause of “its prestigious faculty andremarkable curricula.”

SEMA HASHEMI ’02

Germantown, Maryland, an international policy analyst with the Office ofInternational Programs inthe U.S. Food and DrugAdministration (FDA), won a

Mansfield Fellowship from the Maureen andMike Mansfield Foundation. In September2006, Hashemi began 10 months of full-timeJapanese language and area studies locally.Once her training is complete, she will travel toJapan for a year, where she will work in a min-istry or agency of the government of Japan.

The Mansfield Foundation is dedicated topromoting understanding and cooperationbetween the United States and the nations ofAsia. The fellowship program, the first of itskind, is administered by the foundation, withthe U.S. Department of State’s Bureau ofEducational and Cultural Affairs as grantor.Established by Congress in 1994, the fellow-ships are designed to build a core group ofU.S. government officials who will be able toserve as a resource to their agencies on issuesrelated to Japan.

Hashemi was chosen because of a demon-strated career interest in Japan. She plans tostudy Japan’s regulatory structure, as well as itsinternational public health initiatives, toenhance ongoing communications between theFDA and its counterparts in Japan.

Sandra Nelson Campbell ’97Glenn Dale, Maryland, retired from VerizonCommunications after 27 years of service as astaff consultant and project manager. She is acertified project management professional andan active member of the Project ManagementInstitute’s Silver Spring chapter.

Katherine Evette Simmons ’97Suitland, Maryland, wrote, “UMUC has awonderful support and network system. I amtruly thankful for the opportunity and proudto say that I am an alumna of UMUC.”

Dianne McSears ’98Clinton, Maryland, works for the U.S. GeneralServices Administration. She wrote that com-pleting her master’s degree at UMUC was “thebest decision that I could have made.”

Jessica Kerry Crandell ’00Golden, Mississippi, hasmoved four times since

completing her master’s degree in computersystems management. Her latest move has lefther “about as far out in the country as you canget.” She wrote, “Thank goodness for onlinetraining, since schools are more than twohours’ drive from here.”

Maria Esther Guzmann ’00Kensington, Maryland, is the owner ofContinental Insurance Agency. She wrote,“Selecting this university was the best careermove! . . . Thank you, UMUC, for helping!”

Clivette Tamika Jones ’01 & ’04Greenbelt, Maryland, completed two degrees atUMUC while working full time. She wrote,“UMUC has helped me achieve my goal ofpursuing higher education. . . . The trainingand knowledge gained from UMUC has com-plemented and enhanced my social and profes-sional skills.”

Gwendolynn Miller ’01Little Rock, Arkansas, is currently pursuing aMaster of Education in gifted and talentededucation at the University of Arkansas atLittle Rock, where she works as a graduateassistant. In 2006, she won the NationalAssociation for Gifted Children Non-DoctoralStudent Award.

2000s


attempted to complete my education, yet dueto the demands of family, a full-time job, andother activities, I was never able to completemy degree—until UMUC! The flexible onlineformat enabled me to finish entirely online!”

Michael Timothy Smith ’05Pasadena, Maryland, works as a contractor to the U.S. Department of Defense inWashington, D.C. He wrote that he wouldlike to teach when he retires, and added,“UMUC allowed me to take classes withouthaving to rush.”

Lawrence M. Cousins ’06Middletown, Rhode Island, expects to retirefrom the U.S. Navy shortly and return to thePacific Northwest. He wrote, “Thank you toall my professors and classmates who mademy UMUC experience so challenging andenjoyable.”

Olive F. Gatling ’06Sugar Land, Texas, is currently the executivedirector of a nonprofit organization based inTexas.

Faculty Kudos

CRYSTAL COOPER , who teaches computer studies for UMUC, had two papers accepted for publication—“Strange Attractors in a Chaotic Coin Flip Simulation,”Chaos, Solitons, and Fractals (Vol. 24, No. 1), and “A Noteon On-Off Intermittency in a Chaotic Coin Flip Simulation,”Computers and Graphics (Vol. 31, No. 1).

TIFFANY DERVILLE , who teaches for UMUC stateside,and Teresa Heisler, a UMUC student, co-presented at the2006 Association for Education in Journalism and MassCommunication national conference in San Francisco,California. Heisler continued her studies with Derville inthe fall and plans to go on to graduate school.

ANITA HIBLER , an adjunct professor for UMUC Europe,served as co-author (with William Strobridge) of Elephantsfor Mr. Lincoln: American Civil War-Era Diplomacy inSoutheast Asia (Scarecrow Press, 2006). The consultingeditor on the project was Martin Gordon, who teaches history for UMUC stateside.

JACK KITAEFF , who teaches psychology for UMUC’sSchool of Undergraduate Studies, published Jews in Blue:The Jewish American Experience in Law Enforcement(Cambria Press, 2006). The book is the first to describe thesignificant contributions that Jewish Americans made tolaw enforcement and police work, beginning as early as1657 in New Amsterdam.

SAAD LARAQUI , a faculty member and program directorin UMUC’s Graduate School of Management and Techn-ology, authored two chapters in a book co-edited byClarence Mann (see below), entitled Borderless Business:Managing the Far-Flung Enterprise (Praeger Paperbacks,2006). The chapters were entitled, “Road Map to the

Margaret Anne Tolliver ’05Willingboro, New Jersey, is now pursuing athird master’s degree from UMUC—theMaster of Education—after completing theMaster of Science in technology managementand the Master of Business Administration.After a career in the military and service in var-ious government agencies, she now plans topursue a career in educational sales and man-agement or in teaching.

Joanne M. Garlington ’05Arlington, Virginia, wrote, “For many years I

Changing Financial Environment in Managing the GlobalEnterprise,” and, “International Accounting, Tax Issues &Corporate Governance in Managing the Global Enterprise.”Laraqui was also invited to serve as a guest editor of aspecial issue of the journal International Studies ofManagement and Organization, published by E. M. Sharpe,due out in 2007.

CLARENCE J. MANN , a collegiate faculty member inUMUC’s Graduate School of Management and Technology,served as co-editor (with Klaus Götz) of the book,Borderless Business: Managing the Far-Flung Enterprise(Praeger Paperbacks, 2006). The book grew out of aresearch project co-sponsored by UMUC’s Institute forGlobal Management and DaimlerChrysler, A.G.

CLAUDINE SCHWEBER , who chairs UMUC’s Doctor of Management program, won a Fulbright Senior Specialistaward and traveled to Namibia, in West Africa, in Sep-tember 2005 to work with the Polytechnic of Namibia inWindhoek. There, she helped develop training for onlineteaching, served as a consultant, and lectured on changeand the impact of technology on higher education. Shewas also selected as a peer reviewer for the FulbrightSenior Scholar program and was elected to Who’s WhoAmong America’s Teachers for 2006.

DARLENE SMUCNY , assistant academic director ofbiology at UMUC, completed the Summer Institute forWomen in Higher Education Administration, sponsoredjointly by Bryn Mawr College and Higher EducationResource Services (HERS), held June 25–July 21, 2006, on the Bryn Mawr College campus. The 72 participantsselected for the program came from 29 U.S. states,Canada, Singapore, and South Africa.

You’re eligible for the following alumni benefits when you join:

FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ACCESSn Free subscription to UMUC’s magazine, Achiever.

n Access to career and mentoring services through UMUC’s Office of Career Services.

n On-site access to computer labs at UMUC sites throughout Maryland.

AFFINITY PARTNER DISCOUNTSn UMUC Alumni Association members are entitled to a

discount on GEICO’s already low rates for auto insurance. CallGEICO for a free rate quote at 800-368-2734.

n Alumni Association members can join the State Employees Credit Union of Maryland, Inc. (SECU). National studies show that credit unions consistently offer lower loan rates andhigher savings account interest than banks and other financial service providers. Credit unions charge fewer fees, too.

n Receive a discount on rooms and meals at the UMUC Inn and Conference Center by Marriott in Adelphi, Maryland.

OTHER SPECIAL SERVICESn Receive special invitations to UMUC-sponsored events,

like our popular speaker series and artist receptions.

n Apply for Maryland license tags displaying the UMUC logo for cars registered in Maryland. Call 301-985-7306 for an application.

n Purchase a UMUC class ring from Herff Jones. Call 800-631-0392.

GET INVOLVED!The Alumni Association allows those individuals whobelieve in the mission and goals of UMUC to play an inte-gral role in sustaining the university’s competitive advan-tage. Many alumni volunteer groups work with the Board ofDirectors to support UMUC and Alumni Association activi-ties. You can choose to volunteer in a variety of ways.

MENTORING PROGRAMSn ALLIES MENTORING PROGRAM: The Allies Mentoring

Program is designed to assist students who transfer to UMUC from local community colleges. It provides a “human touch” to students during their first term so that they feel supported by and connected to UMUC and learn the traits that create successful university students. Each mentor is matched with a small group of three to five students. Mentors are asked to facilitate discussions among mentees via weekly group e-mails for 10 weeks. Orientation is provided.

University of Maryland University College A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N

Activate your FREE MEMBERSHIP in the UMUC Alumni Association

The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) Alumni Association, founded in 1990, is committedto fostering a lifelong relationship between its members and the university community. The AlumniAssociation provides you with opportunities to stay connected with fellow alumni, students, and facultythrough volunteer service, social events, and philanthropy. Benefit programs and resources include careerservices, affinity partner discounts, special alumni events, on-site library access, and chapter activities.

Membership is free and open to all UMUC alumni.

Go to www.umucalumni.org to activate your membership.

STAY CONNECTED

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Have you moved? Married . . . or remarried? Started a new job? Won anaward? Share your good news with the UMUC community.

Complete the form below and return it today—with a recent photograph, if pos-sible—or visit www.umucalumni.org, click on “Stay Connected,” and com-plete the Stay Connected form. We’ll update your records and you just mightsee your name in a future issue of Achiever magazine. (Entries may be edited forlength and style.)

Yes, I want to stay connected and receive e-mail notices of alumni benefits,services, and future events. Add my contact information to the AlumniAssociation’s mailing list.

SIGNATURE REQUIRED

E-MAIL ADDRESS

No, I do not want to stay connected. Do not add my contact information to your mailing list.

A L U M N I I N F O R M AT I O N F O R M

NAME GRADUATION YEAR

NAME USED WHILE ENROLLED AT UMUC (IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE)

MAJOR/PRIMARY SPECIALIZATION

STREET

CITY STATE ZIP + 4

COUNTRY

HOME PHONE NUMBER HOME E-MAIL

COMPANY NAME

POSITION/TITLE

STREET

CITY STATE ZIP + 4

WORK PHONE WORK FAX

WORK E-MAIL

I prefer to receive mail at (circle one): HOME WORK

M Y N E W S :

Mailing address: UMUC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, 3501 University Boulevard East, Adelphi, MD 20783-8011 1-07

n NEW STUDENT WELCOME PROGRAM: Alumni volunteers call to welcome newly enrolled students who are beginning their studies at UMUC. This has proven to be valuable for both new students and alumni alike. Volunteers are asked to call 20 to 25 students during a two-week period, beginning several weeks after the start of the fall and spring terms. Orientation is provided.

ALUMNI COMMITTEESAlumni committees meet monthly to plan and assist inimplementing activities that support the goals outlined inthe Alumni Association’s strategic plan. Committee mem-bers serve a one-year term and may choose to serve addi-tional terms. Committee volunteers are a primary sourcein the selection of new members of the AlumniAssociation Board of Directors.

n CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEdevelops programs—including career seminars, men-toring programs, and job resource assistance—to help UMUC alumni and students with their professional development.

n COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE coordinates with staff and other committees to increase alumni and business community awareness of association programs and successes.

n OUTREACH AND CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEpromotes the interests and welfare of UMUC and develops programs and events that enrich the profes-sional, cultural, and personal lives of alumni while representing alumni interests and concerns.

n STUDENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE helps students, alumni, and the academic community enjoy a successfulUMUC experience and an enhanced relationship among the university populations by providing opportunities forgrowth and development, information exchange, and easy interaction.

Stay connected . . . join today!www.umucalumni.org

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGEOFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS3501 University Boulevard EastAdelphi, Maryland 20783-8011Phone: 800-888-UMUC ext. 5125 or 240-684-5125FAX: 240-684-5120 06-MCOM-28

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLLEGE PARK, MD

PERMIT #43501 University Boulevard EastAdelphi, MD 20783-8080 USA800-888-UMUC n www.umuc.edu

B O LD G LO BAL

LEAD E R S H I P

]]]]]]]]B O LD G LO BAL

LEAD E R S H I P]]]]]G LO BA

B O LD G LO BAL

LEAD E R S H I P

Come Celebratethe inauguration of SSuussaann CC.. AAllddrriiddggee,,

fifth president of University of Maryland University College,

Friday, FFeebbrruuaarryy 99,, 22000077..

Presidential inauguration in the morning; black-tie inaugural gala in the evening.For more information, visit www.umuc.edu/inauguration.

UMUC Achiever Magazine, Spring 2007

Documents