UMBC Alumni Awards

Extraordinary UMBC alumni, faculty, and staff are making a difference in the world, and the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors holds an annual celebration of their accomplishments. Past winners have included a U.S. Surgeon General, a Lucasfilm sound editor, the New Yorker's social media director, chief judges, teachers, and scientists advancing fields such as medicine, chemical engineering, physics, and biology. We also honor outstanding UMBC faculty and staff members for their role in guiding and nurturing students.

Five types of awards are given: Outstanding Graduate, Distinguished Service, Rising StarOutstanding Faculty, and Outstanding Staff.

 

Submit a Nomination

 
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image

 

Celebrate:  The 2024 Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception will take place on Wednesday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts and Humanities Building. Registration will begin in late summer 2024.

 

Nominate: Learn more about the criteria for each award category and nominate someone for an award. Nominations are accepted year-round.

 

Support: The Alumni Awards is an investment in the culture of inclusive excellence that supports current and future UMBC students. Please consider making a gift to the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of one of this year's award recipients.

Learn: The UMBC Alumni Association began recognizing the accomplishments of alumni in 1988. Learn more about the accomplishments of former award recipients.

 

2023 Alumni Awards Recipients


 

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI

This award is given to a UMBC graduate who has brought distinction to the University through personal and professional achievement. Awards can be presented in each of the following areas: Aging, Engineering & Information Technology; Humanities; Natural & Mathematical Sciences; Social & Behavioral Sciences; Social Work, and Visual & Performing Arts. To be considered for this award, the nominee must have:

  • Graduated from UMBC no less than five years ago.
  • Achieved prominence in his or her field.
  • Ideally, demonstrated involvement and support of UMBC and/or the Alumni Association.

Humanities

 

Dr. Aaron Ralby '05, English and modern languages and linguistics

Founder and CEO, Linguisticator

 

Social & Behavioral Sciences


Dr. Josh Michael '10, Ph.D. '22, political science & public policy

Executive Director, Sherman Family Foundation

Visual & Performing Arts

 

James Dorsey IV '05, music technology & vocal performance

Artist and National Board-Certified Educator, Prince George's County Public Schools and State of Maryland

Engineering & IT

 

 

Dr. Annica Wayman '99, mechanical engineering

Associate Dean and Professor of the Practice, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, UMBC


Natural & Mathematical Sciences

 

    

Dr. Kay Bidle '91, biological sciences

Professor, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University

 

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

This award may be given to  a UMBC graduate who has demonstrated dedication to UMBC through exceptional service to UMBC, its students, and alumni. To be considered for this award, the nominee must have:

  • Graduated from UMBC no less than two years ago.
  • Supported UMBC or the Alumni Association through either a single act or a record of service.

Dr. Anwesha Dey Ph.D. '04, biochemistry & molecular biology

Director, Discovery Oncology and Distinguished Scientist, Genentech

 

RISING STAR

This award is given to an outstanding undergraduate alum of the last decade who has demonstrated professional achievement. To be considered for this award, the nominee must have:

  • Graduated from UMBC no more than 10 years ago.
  • Achieved early career and professional achievement.
  • Ideally, demonstrated ongoing involvement and support of UMBC, its students, and/or alumni. 

 

Dr. Asif Majid '13, interdisciplinary studies

Assistant Professor of Theatre and Human Rights, University of Connecticut

 

OUTSTANDING FACULTY

This award is given to one full-time faculty member to honor extraordinary teaching as demonstrated by the effectiveness in motivating students in ways that have a lasting influence on their lives. The nominee should have a record of commitment to student success, the ability to provoke student interest and enthusiasm, service to the UMBC community, and have constructively impacted and influenced campus life beyond the classroom. To be considered for this award, the nominee must: 

  • Be a current UMBC faculty member and employed at the university for a minimum of 5 years.
  • Be a full-time faculty member (any course instructor who is employed full-time, tenure or non-tenure track).

Dr. E.F. Charles LaBerge, Ph.D. '03, electrical engineering

Professor of the Practice of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, UMBC 

 

OUTSTANDING STAFF

This award is given to one full-time member of the UMBC staff or administration to honor extraordinary contributions as demonstrated by their significant direct or indirect impact on students and/or alumni. The nominees should have a record of outstanding performance, commitment to the values and mission of UMBC, service to the UMBC community, and positively influencing campus life. To be considered for this award, the nominee must: 

  • Be a current or former member of the UMBC staff or administration that has been employed at the university for a minimum of five years. Former members of UMBC staff or administration must be within three years of their last date of service to the university. 
  • Faculty and less than full time employees are not eligible for this award.
  • Members of UMBC's Institutional Advancement staff who support alumni engagement and fundraising efforts are not eligible until such time they are no longer involved.

Rehana Shafi

Director of the Sherman Teacher Scholars Program, UMBC


Past Alumni Awards

 On the stage of the 35th annual Alumni Awards, awardees and their nominators repeated a shared theme: the freedom and flexibility to grow at UMBC—not alone—but in community. Read the full story

  

The Award Winners

Dr. Aaron Ralby '05, English and modern languages and linguistics
Dr. Josh Michael '10, Ph.D. '22 political science & public policy
James Dorsey IV '05, music technology & vocal performance
Dr. Annica Wayman '99, mechanical engineering
Dr. Kay Bidle '91, biological sciences
Dr. Anwesha Dey Ph.D. '04, biochemistry & molecular biology
Dr. Asif Majid '13, interdisciplinary studies
Dr. E.F. Charles LaBerge Ph.D. '03, Professor of the Practice, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering
Rehana Shafi, Director, Sherman Teacher Scholars Program

2023 Award Photos


The weeks around Homecoming offer multiple ways for the UMBC community to reconnect with our Retriever pride and celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing alumni. Two marquee events during this time are the UMBC Athletic Hall of Fame Induction and Alumni Awards ceremonies. Read the full story


 

The Award Winners

Dr. Josiah Dykstra Ph.D. '13, computer science
Dr. Karsonya 'Kaye' Wise Whitehead Ph.D. '09, language, literacy and culture
Dr. Joy Haley Ph.D. '01, chemistry
Dr. Keith Elder Ph.D. '02, health policy, policy sciences
McKenzie Chinn '06, theatre
Benjamin Garmoe '13, political science
Stefanie Mavronis '12, media & communication studies and political science
Dr. Carolyn Forestiere, Professor of Political Science
 

2022 Award Photos 

 

More alumni than ever were celebrated in 2021. In addition to the past categories, the Board also honored a cohort of Retrievers whose work impacted pandemic response on local, national, and global stages. Likewise, the Rising Star category couldn’t be contained to a single alum, so three bright stars were highlighted. Read the full story


The Award Winners

Christine Osazuwa ’11
Michael Berardi ’19
Deep Patel ’19
Dr. Michael Hassett, M.P.P. ’17, Ph.D. ’19
Dr. Scott Banta ’97
Sean Pang ’09, M.A. ’11
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett ’08, M16
Theresa Bruce ’09
Tewodross Melchishua Williams M.F.A. ’00
Letitia Dzirasa ’03, M11
Kaitlyn Sadtler ’11
Dr. Kate Tracy, M.A. ’01, Ph.D. ’03 

2021 Award Photos 

 

“This outstanding group of award winners are leading the way for others and making an impact on all facets of our society and on the local, national, and global stages,” says Stanyell Odom, director of Alumni Engagement. “They exemplify the best qualities of a UMBC education—they are intellectually curious, creative, entrepreneurial, innovative, committed to making a difference, and passionate and proud of their UMBC.” Read the full story


The Award Winners

Kimberly Patrick ’08
Jerome Adams ’97, M4
Kim Shelsby ’85
Paul Mangus ’86
La Jerne Cornish ’05 Ph.D.
Kelsey Krach ’14
Beverly Bickel ’94
 

2019 Award Photos 


 

 

UMBC community members from the university’s first class to today kicked off Homecoming 2018 on October 4 with a celebration of UMBC Alumni Award winners. Held in the Earl and Danielle Linehan Concert Hall, the moving and memorable ceremony reflected the rich community that is UMBC and honored the tremendous achievements of eight exceptional awardees. Read the full story


The Award Winners

Kimberly Ellison Taylor ‘93
Saira Khan ‘09
Dr. Mark Doms ‘86
The Honorable Wanda Keyes Heard ‘79
Dr. Mina Cheon M.F.A ‘02
Mimi (Haw) Dietrich ‘70
Zainab Alkebsi ‘09
Mariajosé Castellanos

2018 Award Photos 

 

“I’m thrilled that the legacy of excellence embodied by these amazing individuals can be shared this evening and for many years to come,” said John Becker ’01, information systems management, president of the Alumni Association board. Read the full story


The Award Winners

Dr. Kafui Dzirasa ’01, M8
Dennis Williams ’14
Dr. Kate Laskowski ’06
Dr. Alejandro Cremaschi ’93
Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D. ’06
Dr. Steven Storck ’08, M.S. ’09, Ph.D. ’14
Lauren Mazzoli ’15, M.S. ’17
Dr. Marc Zupan

2017 Award Photos 

 

“This year’s awardees truly capture the depth of our community,” said John Becker ’01, president of the alumni association. Irina Vishnevetsky ’99, chair of the alumni awards committee, shared, “Each year the number of submitted nominations grows, and each year I am amazed by the incredible accomplishments of UMBC alumni.” Read the full story


The Award Winners

Henry Baker ’78, Ph.D. ’84
Vince Calhoun, Ph.D. ’02
Dr. Tiffany Holmes, M.F.A. ’99
Joseph Jones, Jr. ’06
Ruby Lu ’94
Galina Madjaroff ’08, M.A. ’11
Dr. Kimberly Moffitt
Dr. Ian Ralby ’02, M.A. ’02
Thomas Sadowski ’89
 

2016 Award Photos 

 

Each year, the UMBC Alumni Association celebrates those people who have made outstanding contributions to the University, their fields, and their communities. Read each recipient's story


The Award Winners

Nicole DeBlase ’06
Andre Gudger ’99
Bryan Kelly ’92
Yoon-Ho Kim, Ph.D. ’01
The Hon. Allan Kittleman ’81
Dr. Lisa Urkevich ’86
Dr. Tara Carpenter

2015 Award Photos 

 

“This year’s winners are an outstanding representation of UMBC. All of the members of our community should be proud of their accomplishments and contributions to the campus and their respective professions,” said Stanyell Odom, Director of Alumni RelationsRead the full story


The Award Winners

Michael Adelstein ’96
Isaac Kinde ’05
Donna Lewis ’86
Gib Mason ’95
Kaliope Parthemos ’93
Dr. Claudia Pearce, M.S. ’89, Ph.D. ’94
Hadieh Shafie, M.F.A. ’04
Dr. Anne Spence
 

2014 Award Photos 

 

Each year, the UMBC Alumni Association honors alumni who have made a difference in their communities and throughout their careers. These outstanding alumni represent the fields of Engineering & Information Technology, Humanities, Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Social Sciences and Visual & Performing Arts. They truly represent the best of UMBC. Read the full story


The Award Winners

Dr. Mary Loeken, M.S. ’80
Brigitte (Pribnow) Winter ’05
Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, Ph.D. ’07
Jeehye Yun ’97
The Hon. Ricardo Zwaig ’77
 

2013 Award Photos 

 

The UMBC Alumni Association will honor six alumni and UMBC president Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, at the annual Outstanding Alumni of the Year Awards ceremony on Thursday, October 11, 2012. Read the full story


The Award Winners

Greg Cangialosi ’96
Stephanie C. Hill ’86
Deborah Randall ’94
Elizabeth Rossman ’85
Dr. Kimani A. Stancil ’94
Christopher Valentino ’02, M.S. ’06
Special Recognition—Freeman A. Hrabowski, III

2012 Award Photos 

 

2011

Delali Dzirasa ’04
Jamie Smith Hopkins ’98
Dr. Ronita L. Marple, Ph.D. ’05
Dr. Ralph Semmel, Ph.D. ’92
Dr. Jeffrey P. Wilkinson ’89
Garrett Wright ’01

Learn more about this year's winners

 

2010

Dean Alexander ’88
Chad Cradock ’97
Michael George ’87
Aaron Merki ’05
Dr. Michael Nishimura ’80, M.S. ’84, Ph.D. ’89
Gene Trainor ’86
Vikki Valentine ’96

Learn more about this year's winners

 

2009

The Hon. Jon S. Cardin M.P.S. ’96
Dr. James P. Clements ’85, M.S. ’91, Ph.D. ’93
Jeffrey “Duff” Goldman ’97
Gustavo Matheus ’90
Laura Pasquini ’98
Dr. Crystal C. Watkins-Johansson ’95
Alicia Wilson ’04

Learn more about this year's winners

 

2008

Eric Conn ’85
Kara Lee Corthron ’99
The Hon. Marcella Holland ’80
Dr. Kevin Maxwell, Ph.D. ’02
Stephanie Reel ’85
Dr. Reid Thompson ’85

Learn more about this year's winners

 

2007

Eric Carlton ’91
Eli Eisenberg ’86
Sheila Lopez ’92
Robert Marshall ’88
Dr. Joseph McCloskey, M.S. ’81, Ph.D. ’83
Patricia Smith ’74

Learn more about this year's winners

 

2006

Lisa Dickerson ’78
Dr. Steven Eidelman ’73
The Hon. Diane Jones, M.S. ’88
Billy Kemp ’95
Michael Oster ’74
Donna Stevenson ’87

Learn more about this year's winners

 

2005

Sheldon Broedel, M.S. ’84, Ph.D. ’9
Dr. Sean Carton ’90
Brian Dannelly ’97
Dr. Renato DiPentima, Ph.D. ’84
Walter Kerr ’96, M.S. ’97
Dr. Yue (Joseph) Wang, Ph.D. ’95

Learn more about this year's winners

 

2003

Robert Baruch ’89
Diane Bell-McKoy ’73
Emily Byrne ’70
The Hon. Adrienne Jones ’76

 

2002

Dr. Paul Behrens, M.A. ’80, Ph.D. ’83
Elsa Collins ’95
Dr. Ram Mohan, Ph.D. ’92
Michael Rowe ’78
C. Emmerson Small ’74

 

2001

Gary Brooks ’79
Richard Chisolm ’82
Karen Shaheed Johnson ’85
Scott Weber ’85
William Whiteford ’80

 

2000

Dr. Cheryl Burke-Schwarz ’82
Jennifer Anne Cooper ’94
Dr. Tayebeh Pourmotabbed ’86
Jack Suess ’81, M.S. ’95

 

1999

Dr. James P.M. Atsaides ’71
Roosevelt Hairston, Jr. ’87
Maureen McCormick ’91
Robert Seasonwein ’71

 

1998

Charles Bevins ’76, Ph.D. ’86
Dr. Diana Fertsch ’82
Dr. George Thomas Grace ’77
Anita Jackson ’80
Stephen Rice ’79
Rev. Karin Wagner Walker ’85

 

1997

Richard Foster ’73
Rick Moreland ’83
Jack Neil ’77
Dr. Charles Taylor ’73

 

1996

The Hon. Thomas Dewberry ’73
Dr. Kimberly Joseph ’83
Dr. Richard Lytel ’75
Dr. Yvette Mozie-Ross ’88
W. Jack Mullen ’72
Dr. Lauren Schnaper ’71
Lori Smith-Watson ’85

 

1995

Dr. Jo Ann Argersinger ’74
William Glover ’90
Dr. Scott Rifkin ’81
Dr. Michael Zollicoffer ’80

 

1994

Nathan Chapman, Jr. ’8
Dr. Blair Grubb ’76
Michele Hayes ’85
Bobby Richardson ’89

 

1993

James Andercyk ’88
José Barata ’79
The Hon. Dana Levitz ’70
Ruth Williamson ’77

 

1992

Tyrone Bullock, Sr. ’84
Dr. Stephen Vicchio ’73
The Hon. David Young ’74

 

1991

Dr. Rita Berndt ’71
Edward Hodges ’82
Lawrence LaMotte ’71

 

1990

Mary Beth Engelbride ’84
Sandra Geest ’72
Dr. Paula Grabowski ’76
James Wiggins ’75

 

1989

Dr. Robin West ’76

 

1988

Dr. Winston Griner ’74



Distinguished Alumna/us of the Year Award

Established in 1988, the Distinguished Alumna/us Award was presented to an alumna/us who has achieved national recognition for excellence in his/her profession or field of endeavor.   This award was presented until 2003. Past recipients were:

2003:    Diane L. Bell-McKoy ’73
2002:    Ram S. Mohan ’92
2001:    Richard Chisolm ’82 and William Whiteford ’80
2000:    Dr. Tayebeh Pourmotabbed ’86
1999:    Robert G. Seasonwein, Esq. ’71
1998:    Charles L. Bevins, M.D., Ph.D. ’76 & ’86
1997:    Dr. Charles A. Taylor, ’73
1996:    Dr. Richard Lytel ’75, Dr. Lauren A. Schnaper ’71 and Peggy Southerland ’75
1995:    Dr. Jo Ann E. Argersinger ’74
1994:    Dr. Blair Grubb ’76
1993:    Ruth Williamson ’77
1992:    Dr. Stephen Vicchio ’73
1991:    Dr. Rita Berndt ’71
1990:    Dr. Paula Grabowski ’76
1989:    Dr. Robin West ’76
1988:    Dr. Winston Griner ’74

* * * * *

Outstanding Alumna/us Award

Established in 1991, the Outstanding Alumna/us Award was presented to an alumna/us who received recognition for the contributions s/he had made to his/her profession or community, and for the individual’s volunteer participation and advancement of UMBC.   This award was presented until 2003. Past recipients were:

2003:    The Honorable Adrienne A. Jones ’76
2002:    Paul W. Behrens ’80 and ’83
2001:    Karen Johnson ’85
2000:    Jennifer Anne Cooper ’94
1999:    Roosevelt Hairston, Jr., Esq. ’87
1998:    George Thomas Grace, M.D. ’77
1997:    Richard S. Foster ’73 and Richard Moreland ’83
1996:    W. Jack Mullen ’72 and Kimberly Joseph ’83
1995:    Dr. Scott M. Rifkin ’81
1994:    Nathan Chapman, Jr. ’80
1993:    The Honorable Dana Levitz ’70
1992:    The Honorable David Young ’74
1991:    The Honorable Lawrence LaMotte ’71

Alumni Community Leadership Award

Established in 1994, the Alumni Community Leadership Award recognized an alumna/us who had demonstrated, through dedicated service and leadership, including voluntary service beyond employment, a commitment to strengthening the community and creating positive change for society. This award was presented until 2003. Past recipients were:

2003:    Emily A. Byrne ’70
2002:    Elsa T. Collins ’95
2001:    Gary M. Brooks ’79
2000:    Cheryl Burke-Schwarz, D.V.M. ’82
1999:    James P.M. Atsaides, Ph.D. ’71
1998:    Anita Maddox Jackson ’80 and Karin Wagner Walker, M.Div., D.Min. ’85
1997:    Jack B. Neil ’77
1996:    The Honorable Thomas H. Dewberry ’73
1995:    Dr. Michael L. Zollicoffer ’80
1994:    Bobby Richardson ’89

UMBC Volunteer(s) of the Year

This award was presented until 2003. Past recipients were:

2003:    Robert A. Baruch ’89
2002:    Michael A. Rowe ’78 and C. Emmerson Small, II ’74
2001:    Scott E. Weber ’85
2000:    Jack Suess ’81
1999:    Maureen McCormick ’91
1998:    Diana Fertsch, M.D., Ph.D. ’82 and Stephen Rice ’79
1997:    Robert Dietrich ’70 and Mary “Mimi” Haw Dietrich ’70
1996:    Lori Smith-Watson ’85 and Yvette Mozie-Ross ’88
1995:    William Glover ’90
1994:    Michele Hayes ’85
1993:    James Andercyk ’88 and Jose Barata ’79
1992:    Tyrone Bullock, Sr. ’84
1991:    Edward Hodges ’82
1990:    Sandra Geest ’72, Mary Beth Schoch Engelbride ’84 and James L. Wiggins ’75

*Denotes Outstanding Faculty Award Recipient