From the President
Dear Friends,
Capturing the character of a university is not an easy task. But I may come close by saying this institution distinguishes itself in three major areas of impact: providing access to a transformative education; focusing on real-world learning; and giving back to our community, city and region.
UB has always been a place that makes education possible for all students, especially “nontraditional” ones; that was true when UB opened its doors 90 years ago, and it still holds true today. Even with our return to admitting freshmen nearly a decade ago, the average age of a UB undergraduate is 28. Almost half of UB’s students attend part time, balancing their studies with other life commitments. Many of the alumni I meet tell me similar stories, speaking with pride about attending UB at night while supporting their families. UB has always recognized that the students it serves have obligations that extend beyond the classroom.
The University of Baltimore also focuses its efforts outside the confines of its campus by offering career-oriented degree programs that ensure students succeed equally in the classroom and in the workplace. This real-world focus comes from our faculty: While more than 80 percent of them hold the highest degree in their disciplines, many also have had (and continue to have) successful careers in business, law, public administration, communications and other fields. Here’s one example: Associate Professor Ivan Sascha Sheehan, the winner of this year’s President’s Faculty Award, is recognized as an international expert on global terrorism and conflict management. His scholarship has been described as “directly relevant to the security challenges faced today by the United States,” and he is an emerging voice on Capitol Hill regarding foreign policy. When he brings what he’s doing out there back to the classroom, Sascha’s students benefit from his world-class scholarship and his real-world experience. This is what we like to call Knowledge That Works.
A UB education is marked not only by its quality but also by its application. The University’s impact on its city and region continues to grow. Examples include:
- the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance at the Merrick School of Business’s Jacob France Institute, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide open access to meaningful, reliable and actionable data about and for Baltimore
- the School of Law’s clinics, which represent an average of 200 low-income clients annually, including families, neighborhood associations and other nonprofit organizations
- “Divided Baltimore,” a course in which community activists, local leaders and concerned citizens join faculty and students to understand what has shaped this city and why. Most importantly, they will propose solutions to help us get where we need and want to go.
All of this—and more—makes up UB’s distinct identity. Because of the generosity of our alumni and supporters, who we are will continue to evolve and to enhance the lives of our students and the vitality of our region. Thank you for contributing to the UB that is and the one that will be—an institution even stronger than today’s.
Sincerely,
Kurt L. Schmoke
UB President
From the Board Chairman
Dear Friends,
It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as chairman of the University of Baltimore Foundation Board of Directors over the past two years. It has been an exciting time of growth and transition, and I have enjoyed working with Kurt on a number of initiatives.
I am pleased to report that the University of Baltimore Foundation board has approved the foundation’s strategic plan for the next three years. As part of that plan, we have increased financial resources for the Fund for Excellence, which will allow us to continue supporting the work of our students, faculty and staff.
This donor-supported program provides one-time funding to expand existing academic programs, to develop new and innovative academic programs and initiatives, to launch special projects or initiatives and to fulfill University-wide needs. A 3-D visualization, prototyping and printing lab, a national conference on innovative legal scholarship and community programs like Helping Others 2 Win (which supports pre- and post-release adult female offenders through their re-entry into the community) are just a few of the projects we have funded this year.
Through my work as board chairman, I have had the opportunity to engage with many alumni and donors—and I am truly touched by their commitment of time, talent and treasure to the University. Our friends and alumni are integral to sustaining the University’s growth and vibrancy, and I want to thank all of you for your contributions to UB this year.
I would also like to welcome James P. Nolan, J.D. ’74, as the new chairman of the foundation board. Jim is a longtime supporter and friend of the University and is certain to bring a great deal of experience and insight to the position. We’ve also added nine new members—including alumni of all four UB schools and colleges in addition to friends from the greater Baltimore community—to our 31-person board over the past two years.
For my part, I will remain very much involved in the foundation’s work. I have agreed to serve as executive vice president and will continue to champion the foundation’s mission. I want to thank all of you who share our commitment to the University of Baltimore and to the foundation. I am proud of what we have accomplished and excited about the possibility of what we can achieve in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Stuart J. Silberg, B.S. ’71
Chairman, UB Foundation Board of Directors