Volume 7 Issue 3 New Faculty Lounge Opens

April 2006 ENGLISH FACULTY MEMBER IS HONORED

A recently refurbished Johnson. Waters Hall houses the Dr. Dameron- Johnson UMES Department of joined the UMES English Information Technology; it department as the Director is also the location of a new of Drama in 1975. She was faculty lounge. surprised and flattered when The facility—with wireless her photograph was President Thompson (L) with computer connections, a big unveiled at the recent grand Dr. Dameron-Johnson at the screen TV, and plush opening of the lounge. “It dedication ceremony furniture—could become a really is an honor,” she said,

home away from home for smiling. “And, it’s not a Photos by Jim Glovier adjunct faculty members and 3 bad likeness.” The portraits were taken by other professors who find staff member Jim Glovier. “I themselves without enough didn’t realize it would be time between classes to hike used for something as special across campus to their own as this,” said Dr. Dameron offices. Johnson. “It’s such a Those who visit the lounge wonderful surprise.” will notice that the walls are The plan is to periodically graced with the portraits of hang the photographs of other two longtime faculty Portrait of Dr. Dameron- faculty members, creating a members, Ernest Satchell Johnson that hangs in new rotating gallery of professors. and Della Dameron- faculty lounge A WITNESS TO HISTORY UMES English Major Interns on Capitol Hill

When many people around academic credit for his the country were focused on experience, but he’s also

the debate over Samuel making memories. “I am glad SH AND MODERN LANGUAGES Alito’s nomination to the to have the opportunity...to U.S. Supreme Court, a roam the halls where some of UMES English major was our nation’s most important observing the Alito vote decisions have been made,” firsthand. he said.

ND EASTERN SHORE, PRINCESS ANNE, MD 2185 “I was awe-struck to see all IC AFFAIRS, SCHOOL OF THE ARTS & PROFESSIONSthe personalities we only read about, in person, Sen. Sarbanes (L) and Mr. moving about on the Senate Rudasill floor and casting their votes,” said Richard academic advisor and the Rudasill, an intern this internship coordinator for

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLI semester in the DC office of

the English department. ’s U.S. Senator “Since Richard plans on

INSIGHTS Paul Sarbanes. “I am finding attending law school this fall, Mr. Rudasill has been that this experience is this is really the perfect accepted at several law giving me an insider’s opportunity for him to schools and is still weighing perspective on the observe the process of federal his options regarding which

legislative process.” law making,” said Marilyn school to attend. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLA

A DIVISION OF ACADEM Buerkle, Mr. Rudasill’s Mr. Rudasill is earning HELPING LOCAL KIDS MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES

English Department Participates in Diabetes Prevention Project

A unique combination of skills has been Concerned about the adolescent obesity Once additional members of the UMES recruited to help local children avoid epidemic and the role it plays in increased Natural Sciences and Physical Therapy diabetes. rates of type 2 diabetes, Departments were on board, Dr. Blakely the Links’ Health and looked to the English department to spread A group of youngsters at Wellness Committee set a the message beyond the Sharptown the Sharptown Tutorial goal of creating Tutorial Center. Center is learning some awareness of type 2 critical lessons about diabetes in the local Marilyn Buerkle, a communications health and wellness from African American instructor UMES faculty, students, adolescent population. “If on campus and alumni. The English we can bring an increased and a department has provided UMES Physical Therapy awareness of the steps former the expertise to spread graduate student Lamont you can take to reduce the television those lessons across the Thompson (2nd from L) leads an prevalence of diabetes in news Shore by teaching the exercise drill just the tiny community director, children how to create a of Sharptown, we will volunteered televised public service Photo by Kelly Mack have been successful,” to help the Ms. Buerkle (center) and Mr. announcement (PSA). said Bettie Blakely, a Links member, a kids spread Hoffman (R) discuss PSAs The Youth Diabetes Prevention Program licensed dietician, and former Dietetics the lessons is a project conceived by the Princess Program Director in the UMES they learn Photo by Bettie Blakely Anne chapter of The Links, Inc., an Department of Human Ecology. through a international organization of black televised PSA. She partnered on the Dr. Blakely and her fellow Links member women founded on the principles of project with Robin Hoffman, an English Kelly Mack, a UMES Biology professor, friendship and service. The Princess department graduate. Mr. Hoffman, who is knew their project was a perfect fit for the Anne group includes a number of UMES now employed at WBOC TV, the local UMES Community Outreach and faculty members, and it has partnered CBS affiliate, serves as the technical Information Dissemination core of the with the University on a variety of expert. “Not only are we providing a University of Maryland Comprehensive projects including the Ebony Fashion valuable public service, but we might be Center for Health Disparities Research, Fair and the UMES Mini Med School encouraging some local kids to consider a Training, and Outreach. That federally program. The group also provides career in TV,” he said. funded center helped coordinate the scholarships to deserving UMES support of additional UMES experts to The PSA will be shot and edited this students. It was that history that led to a help the Links teach the children how to month. A “PSA Premiere Party” will be new partnership to curb diabetes in the make smart choices about diet and held for the children and their families local African American community. exercise. when the message debuts on local media.

Induction Set

The UMES chapter of the International English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta, will hold its annual induction ceremony on Friday, April 7 at 8 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Student Services Center. CONGRATULATIONS! The group will welcome six new Senior teacher candidate Heidi members: Evan Burton, Shannon Criss, Burlew has passed the content WHWK PIZZA SALE LaToya Fewell, Ashley Johnson, portion (officially known as Student radio station managers Michelle Murray, and Ebony Parker. English Language, Literature Takia Jenifer (L) and Shamona and Composition: Content Johnson sell slices of pizza in UMES’s Psi Mu chapter of Sigma Tau Knowledge) of Maryland’s the Student Services Center as Delta was founded in 1974. It highlights Praxis II test. Praxis II’s part of a recent fundraiser for outstanding students who appreciate the pedagogy test is next on Ms. WHWK. study of language and literature. Burlew’s agenda. English Adjunct on Diversity Committee FACULTY MEMBER TO REPRESENT UMES SYSTEM-WIDE

n adjunct English instructor, Towson State. Many appropriate behavior and to take appropriate Pattrice Jones, will represent things have changed, steps to confront perpetrators and UMES on a system-wide but many things comfort their targets when incidents do diversity committee dealing remain the same,” occur.” Aspecifically with issues facing , Ms. Jones said. “ I'm gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) very happy to be Ms. Jones says it is particularly important to students, faculty, and staff. Ms. Jones able to do whatever I recognize the unique needs of the LGBT teaches public speaking and serves as can do to support the community on an historically black campus. faculty advisor to Uniquely Defined, a brave students who “What most people don't realize is that campus group for LGBT students and are working to make and compound one their straight supporters. UMES a safe place another. All people of color, including for all students.” Ms. Jones Ms. Jones was asked to serve on the African Americans, rely on their home

Maryland System’s diversity committee Photo By Mark communities for solace and support in the Ms. Jones is looking by Marie Billie, Director of the UMES Sutton face of racism,” she said. “When for other faculty Human Resources Department. Ms. homophobia estranges people from their members who might join her in advising Jones has been working with Ms. Billie home communities, they are more the student members of Uniquely to develop some initiatives that will vulnerable to racism because they have less Defined. assure that UMES is a safe and support.” supportive place for LGBT students. “Sadly, some faculty and staff still seem Uniquely Defined has been active on the to believe that non-discrimination on the “Back in 1978, I was the co-coordinator UMES campus for several years. Some of basis of sexual orientation is optional of what was probably the first college its events draw up to fifty people; the core rather than a matter of University policy,” gay rights group in Maryland—the Gay membership is about a dozen students. she said. “It's up to us to model People's Alliance at what was then FILM MAKER VISITS UMES ILLNESS SIDELINES English Students Get Career Advice PROFESSOR

UMES students studying film and acting During his visit, Mr. Petrie also lectured Mignon Anderson, an had an unusual opportunity to talk to a in two English courses: Introduction to associate professor of man who has written and directed his Film and Acting II. He even brought English, is recuperating own movie. some of the Rapture actors to a rehearsal from a bout of of this year’s UMES dinner theater pneumonia and will not Willis Petrie production. be returning to the is a history classroom this teacher in Students heard an important message— semester. East Orange, that they can influence the way the world New Jersey; looks at African Americans. Mr. Petrie Ms. Anderson’s classes Ms. Anderson he is also the encouraged them to create and have been assigned to Photo by Matthew creative force participate in ventures that dispel other faculty members Whittiker behind a new Mr. Petrie stereotypical myths about their culture. to complete. film called A second Petrie production is expected In a recent email, Ms. Anderson sent her Rapture. Mr. Photo by Joseph Davis in 2008. The film maker promised to “love to everybody and my heartfelt Petrie held return to UMES to screen that film as two recent screenings of his movie on appreciation for all of the good wishes.” well. campus.

Insights is written and edited, except as noted, by communications instructor Marilyn Buerkle with desktop publishing by instructional design specialist Kaye Pinhey and copy editing by composition instructor Ron Webster. Photos by Marilyn Buerkle, except as noted. If you have information you would like to appear in this publication, please contact our editor at 410-651- 8349 or email her at [email protected].