recorded the first of several solo albums. Hehas also loaned his distinct style to therecordings of Joe Cocker, Janis Ian and NilsLofgren. Best known are his 1985 work on thehit singles “You’re a Friend of Mine” withJackson Browne and “Freeway of Love” withAretha Franklin. Clemons is an actor and hasappeared in television series and playedmultiple roles on the big screen.

Clemons, a former Maryland State College(UMES) student, is known to his fans as “the

Big Man.” He has recently pennedhis memoir, “Big Man: Real Life &Tall Tales.” President Bill Clinton’sreview read: “Big Man relivesClemons’ story in a unique personalnarrative that’s bound in both historyand folklore.”

Catherine Watkins’ career hasspanned 44 years at the USDA. Shehas provided leadership in thesupport of a number of majorinternational agricultural developingprograms and three PresidentialInitiatives, namely, President

remains true to selecting roles that portray only strong,positive images of black women.”

Tyson became the first black actress to co-star in atelevision drama series (“East Side/West Side”) andappeared in the long-running soap opera “The GuidingLight.” She is best known for her Emmy award-winningperformances in “The Oldest Confederate Widow Tells All”and “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” “TheAutobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” earned her an Emmyfor Actress of the Year and an Emmy for Outstanding LeadActress in a Movie, making Tyson the first African-Americanactress to win the award. She also had prominent roles inthe television productions of “Roots,” “King,” and the“Marva Collins Story.” Most recently, she was nominated for

Emmy award-winning actress Cicely Tyson willaddress some 440 graduates of the University ofMaryland Eastern Shore as the keynote speaker forthe 2010 spring commencement ceremony onFriday, May 21, at 10 a.m. in the William P. HytcheAthletic Center. Tickets are required for admission.

“The university is honored to present such anoutstanding example of a person who uses hercelebrity status and resources to give back to thecommunity and to advance human and civil rights,”said Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, president, UMES.“Ms. Tyson, a positive role model for our students,

Two African-American celebrities and twochampions of progress in Africa will receivehonorary degrees at UMES’ 123rd annualspring commencement on Friday, May 21, at 10a.m. in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.

In addition to giving the commencementaddress, Cicely Tyson will receive the HonoraryDoctor of Humane Letters during UMES’commencement exercises. Among her manyaccolades, Tyson has won three Emmy awards,distinguishing her as the first African-Americanactress to receive the Emmy forOutstanding Lead Actress, a covetedaward.

Clarence Clemons, saxophonistof nearly 40 years, 30 of which havebeen with the legendary BruceSpringsteen’s E Street Band, willreceive the Honorary Doctor ofHumane Letters for his exceptionalcontributions to American music.Clemons’ artistic touch has reachedbeyond the E Street Band. In the80s, he recorded and toured with hisown band, Clarence Clemons andthe Red Bank Rockers, and

C I R C L I N G T H E W O R L D

INSIDEPage 2Regents’ AwardGift to Construction Management Program

Page 3NIH Grants AwardedResearcher Receives Award

Page 6USDA VisitsGerald Day Receives AwardUgandan Artists Visit

Page 7Honda All-Star Challenge

Page 8Calendar of Events“Caught Doing Good”

THEA newslet ter forUNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHOREstudents , facul ty, s taf f, a lumni and fr iends

COMMUNICATION IS

May 2010

Cicely Tyson to addressspring graduates at UMES

Page 4 - 5Honors Convocation

Clarence Clemons

Cicely Tyson

Catherine Watkins Francis KofiAmpenyin Allotey

UMES awards honorary degrees at spring commencement

TYSON continued on page 7

COMMENCEMENT continued on page 7

Wayne K. Evans, president of Evans Builders Inc. of Salisbury,has made a $2,500 gift to UMES’ Construction ManagementTechnology (CMT) Program. The donation will provide scholarshipsfor CMT students to purchase books and enable students and facultyto attend conferences and workshops.

“My son, Lance, is a sophomore in the program and my seniorvice president, Kai Schrodt, is a UMES (construction management)graduate,” said Evans. “I’m impressed with the quality of theprogram and its graduates.”

“I want to thank Mr. Evans on behalf of the students and faculty of the ConstructionManagement Technology Program for his generous gift,” said Dr. Leon Copeland, chair of the Department of Technology at UMES.“During periods of state funding decreases, private gifts of support are needed to provide resources to enhance our program.”

Evans Builders, established in 1951 with offices in Salisbury, Md., and Wilson, N.C., provides commercial, industrial, general contractor and constructionmanagement services to customers in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and North and South Carolina. Its construction projects range from fully managed turn-key operations to retrofitting and re-roofing of existing structures.

benefit the community at large by putting money into projects.In the end, the professor’s input helped save countless dollars in

overhead for the Princess Anne athletic center that was later named theGarland Hayward Youth Center, located on Hampden Avenue.

“It’s been very successful,” said Arumala, who has proposed futureexpansions to the property, which includes a gymnasium. “Before the athleticcenter opened, those kids didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

Additionally, Arumala played a role in organizing the first of severalEngineering Expos in both Somerset and Wicomico counties three years ago,which featured hands on demonstrations staffed by engineers andtechnologists from local engineering firms and UMES.

A native of Ohio, Blakely is a professor and the chair of the Departmentof Physical Therapy in the UMES School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.The department was established under his directorship in 1981 and hasgrown to become accredited and include a doctorial program.

Blakely’s career experience includes more than 40 years in clinicalpractice, 34 years in teaching and 27 years in administration for the PhysicalTherapy program.

Under his leadership, the program has resulted in exceptional first-timelicensure pass rates and all graduates have found employment within the field.

“We make an effort to provide opportunities for students that go beyondthe classroom,” said Blakely, who is also active in professional organizationsinvolving allied health and rural health.

2 C I R C L I N G T H E O V A LUNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

The Key / May 2010

University System of Maryland recognizesUMES faculty through Regents’ Awards

Evans Builderscontributes toUMESConstructionManagementProgram

Drs. Joseph Arumala and Raymond Blakely of the University of MarylandEastern Shore are this year’s recipients of the University System of MarylandRegents’ Faculty Awards.

Established in 1995, the award is regarded as the highest honorpresented by the USM Board of Regents to exemplary faculty members.Arumala and Blakely are among 16 other individuals throughout the universitysystem who were honored this year for their professional accomplishmentsin one of the following areas: mentoring; public service; teaching andresearch.

Each award recipient received $1,000 and a plaque of recognition for thehonor. Arumala was recognized in the public service category and Blakely inthe mentoring category.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Arumala began teaching in the UMES Schoolof Business and Technology more than 14 years ago. Throughout his career,Arumala has focused on projects that benefit area youth on the Lower Shore.

In 2008, an outdoor athletic center opened on the former site of adilapidated abandoned clam factory, thanks to a cooperative effort betweenthe University of Maryland Eastern Shore and the town of Princess Anne.

Arumala helped make the $1.5 million project a reality when he cameto the town with information on a Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment, or HUD, grant for $340,000 that was specifically earmarkedfor historically black colleges and universities.

The grant was designed to allow these institutions of higher learning to

Dr.William E. Kirwan, USM Chancellor and CEO; Dr. Joseph Arumala,professor in the UMES Department of Technology; President Thelma B.Thompson, UMES; and Dr. Clifford M. Kendall, chairman of the USMBoard of Regents, are pictured left to right.

From left to right,Wayne Evans, presidentof Evans Builders Inc.in Salisbury, presents acheck for $2,500 to Dr.Leon Copeland, chair ofthe Department ofTechnology at UMES,for the university’sConstructionManagement Program.

Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Clifford M. Kendall, chairman of the USMBoard of Regents; President Thelma B.Thomas, UMES; Dr. RaymondBlakely, chairperson and professor in the UMES Department ofPhysical Therapy; and Dr.William E. Kirwan, USM Chancellor and CEO.

utilization for and reducing ammoniaemissions from broiler facilities.

“UMES gave me the opportunity,the resources and the freedom to dowhat needed to be done to help thelocal industry and the local industrycooperated,” said Harter-Dennis. “Forthat I am thankful. I am also thankfulfor the UMES students and technicianswho have been involved in my work.Without them, none of this would havehappened.”

Throughout her career, Harter-Dennis has worked on many issuesrelated to animal nutrition, including

studies of phytase and other feed additives, live production matters, airemissions from chicken houses and other environmental issues, reductionof carcass fat in chickens, bone abnormalities and much more. She hasbeen a member of several DPI committees over the years.

For more information about Harter-Dennis and her research involvingthe “Chicken House of the Future” at UMES, call 410-621-3850 or visitwww.umes.edu/ae.

the department will begin offering variousintervention as classes. When the students graduatefrom UMES, they will be followed through theAlumni Association and can be offered healthopportunities, some of which through the e-HealthProgram on the internet.

“The university can then be in tune not only tothe education of our students and their potential forsuccess, but also their future health and well-being,” said Heimdal. “We can make an impact on

their lives. A realistic sequence of interventions could be providing a healthtip, which leads to more detailed health information, to offering a fullprogram to address an identified area of need.”

According to Heimdal, the NIH grant funds include funding for a 10-week summer internship program for five UMES students to work withseasoned NIH researchers in Bethesda, Md. The students will receive$5,000 stipends. The grant also allows for a faculty position funded at$25,000 with $15,000 start up funds.

The other research project led by Treuth involves examining the effectsof statin medicines (cholesterol lowering medicines) on muscle pain,weakness and balance in Caucasians and African-Americans on the EasternShore.

“The importance of this is that cardiovascular disease in one of themain causes of mortality in the U.S. and statin therapy is used to treathypertension,” said Treuth. “With one of the known side effects of statinsbeing myalgias, or muscle fatigue, it is vital to research what impact it couldhave on patients’ daily lives.”

The Department of Physical Therapy will recruit approximately 100

Efforts to address health issues in African-Americans on the Lower Eastern Shore have recentlygained momentum. The School of Pharmacy andHealth Professions at the University of MarylandEastern Shore has been awarded two significant, three-year grant projects through the National Institutes ofHealth in partnership with the Uniformed ServicesUniversity in Bethesda, Md.

Within the School of Pharmacy and HealthProfessions, eight people from three of thedepartments, Exercise Science, Physical Therapy and Pharmacy, areinvolved with the two projects along with many students from each of theareas. Pilot projects have been taking place at the university since last year.Dr. James Heimdal, chairperson of the Department of Exercise Science, andDr. Margarita Treuth, a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy,were instrumental, along with other colleagues, in the NIH awarding UMESthe grants and are each leading one of projects.

“I came here (to the university) to address health disparities on theLower Eastern Shore,” said Heimdal. “My dream was to replicate, in part,the Harvard Health Study, which followed the health and lifestyles of alumnithrough the years.”

Heimdal, who has been successful in building health coalitions inConnecticut and Louisiana prior to coming to UMES, received a grant tofund the research infrastructure necessary for a health study within theDepartment of Exercise Science for students and faculty.

Researchers will access and analyze data from approximately 700African-American students between the ages of 17-25 each year through thecourse “Personal Health and Wellness.” Students will then be provided acomprehensive fitness plan. Upon identification of potential areas of need,

Dr. Jeanine Harter-Dennis is the2010 recipient of the coveted DelmarvaPoultry Industry’s Medal ofAchievement for her nearly 30 years ofteaching and research at UMES. Ananimal nutrition expert, she iscurrently involved in a study entailing anew flooring system that willdramatically reduce ammoniaemissions from commercial broilerhouses.

“For me, this is the ultimatehonor personally, and it is the ultimatehonor for UMES,” said Harter-Dennis,associate professor and researcher.“The reduction and ammonia work that we are doing will hopefully enablethe local poultry industry to survive and thrive on the Eastern Shore.”

During its 54th annual Booster Banquet, DPI recognized a total of 15outstanding poultry growers and two other individuals for their work onbehalf of the industry. The trade association is organized and operated topromote and protect the future of the industry on the Shore. In concert,Harter-Dennis’ research is specifically trained on improving nutrient

3U M E S P E O P L EUNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

The Key / May 2010

National Institutes of Health awards UMES research grants

UMES researcher receives local award

Pictured, left to right, are Delaware Senator Bob Venables, SussexCounty; Dr. Jeannine Harter-Dennis, associate professor andresearcher, UMES; and Roger Marino, past president and long-timeDPI volunteer. Photo by Stephanie Jordan-Schwind

James Heimdal Margarita Treuth

RESEARCH GRANTS continued on page 5

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S C H O O L N E W SUNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

4 The Key / May 2010

More than 600 UMES students received specialrecognition for academic excellence during the 57thannual Honors Convocation ceremony held recently.UMES alumna Dr. Tecoa N. Turner, a general pediatricianwith a special interest in asthma, served as the keynotespeaker. During her address, she said, “We (graduatesof UMES) are all where we are today because of themany faculty members and others that took the time to

invest in us.” She relayed to the graduates points that she has learned alongthe way: 1) It is ok to ask for help, 2) Anything worth having is worth theeffort, 3) A set back is a set up for a come back, 4) Preparation is key tosuccess, 5) Anything worth having is worth the effort and the necessarysacrifice, 6) Give back to the community, and 7) We must believe inourselves.

UMES presented the following awards for the “Most OutstandingStudent” in each of the academic departments: Essence Hales, Departmentof Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences; Jerry Tucker, Department ofHuman Ecology; Oneil Gardner, Department of Natural Sciences; TashiqueDavis, Department of Criminal Justice; Knita Cartwright, Department ofEducation; Lauren Holmes, Department of English and Modern Languages;Miriam Ngegba, Department of General Studies; Mark Sherman, Departmentof Fine Arts; Rashad James, Department of Social Sciences; Andrae Bent,Department of Business, Management and Accounting; NanayaaAcheampong, Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences; AlmetiaWhitaker, Department of Hotel and Restaurant Management; KathleenRhodes, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science; Cody Wagner,Department of Technology; Joy DuPont, Department of Health and ExerciseScience; Julie Carson, Department of Physician Assistant; and EmaraParsons, Department of Rehabilitation Services.

UMES recognizes top students atH O N O R S C O N V O C A T I O N

A senior at UMES, Nicholas Washingtonwas recently awarded the Richard BernsteinAchievement Award for Excellence duringthe 57th annual Honors Convocationceremony.

Washington, the son of Clayton andCarol Washington, received $5,000 for theaward named for and established by thebusinessman credited with bringing theworld of high technology to Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

“Nicholas is one of the students whose name will come up frequently inthe years to come as one of our very best, who has gone on to do excellentthings, whichever path he follows,” said Dr. Kate Brown, chair theDepartment of Business, Management and Accounting.

The Richard Bernstein Achievement Award for Excellence is anunrestricted gift, awarded to a UMES senior graduating in business,accounting, science, engineering, construction management technology, andmathematics or computer science. The Bernstein Award recipient must

UMES Richard BernsteinAchievement Award

Andrae Bent,School of Business

and Technology

Emara Parsons,School of Pharmacy and

Health Professions

Nicholas Washington

Essence Hales,School of Agricultural and

Natural Sciences

Rashad James,School of the Artsand Professions

Tecoa N.Turner

demonstrate leadership abilities at school or in the community, effectivenesson an interpersonal basis, a high degree of integrity, the ability to work withothers, outstanding performance in academic work, the potential forcontinued scholarly work and evidence of overcoming physical or personalobstacles to earn a degree.

Washington, a 22-year-old accounting major with a 3.98 grade pointaverage, is a natural leader, who has overcome barriers to study in theUnited States from his native Jamaica.

In the Federal Reserve Challenge, Washington served as captain for theteam representing UMES. He is also a Verizon Scholar and a ThurgoodMarshall Scholar who was inducted into Sigma Beta Delta, the premierbusiness honor society, last year.

The former president for the UMES Pre-Law chapter of Phi Alpha DeltaLaw Fraternity, Washington was named a University of Baltimore School ofLaw Scholar, which earned him a full scholarship to law school.

Additionally, he was selected as a Rhodes Scholar finalist for Jamaicathis year, making him the first UMES student to receive that prestigiousdistinction.

Washington has opted to defer law school for now and has accepted aposition with the Big Four audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG, LLC, followinggraduation in May.

Photo by Jim Glovier

Photos by Jim GlovierMost Outstanding Student Awards

S C H O O L N E W S 5The Key / May 2010

Adonis Ajayi, amathematics majorgraduating with an overall3.59 grade point average,is the recipient of thisyear’s Daniel J. PinkettAward in Mathematics.

Presented by theDepartment of Mathematics and Computer Science, the Pinkett Award is agift of $2,500 that is given to a graduating mathematics major who hasexcelled in the field.

The award was established by Alice B. Macleod in memory ofProfessor Daniel J. Pinkett, who taught mathematics under the leadershipof Frank J. Trigg, principal (1902-1910) of Princess Anne Academy, whichevolved into UMES.

Ajayi, the son of Remi and Joyce Ajayi, says his passion formathematics started in Suitland High School in Forestville, Md. Heregistered for every math class that his school offered.

Early in his senior year, Ajayi’s calculus instructor took notice of hisdeveloping math skills and encouraged him to pursue a degree inmathematics.

Upon his completion of a one-year STEM (Science, Technology,Engineering and Mathematics) program at UMES, Ajayi was admitted intothe Honors Program.

“Enrolling at UMES was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made inmy life,” said the Prince George’s County resident, who placed first in the2008 annual Math and Computer Science UG Programming Contest and isthe 2009 recipient of the Gamma Theta Boule Scholarship.

Ajayi, 21, is also a member in the UMES National Association ofAfrican American Honor’s Program, the Golden Key National HonourSociety and the Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honors Society. Additionally, heparticipates in volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity.

Ajayi’s educational goal is to receive his master’s and Ph.D. inmathematics.

UMES DanielJ. PinkettAward inMathematics

The Peter andChandra HettiarachchiOutstanding Student inthe Department ofNatural Sciences Awardwill be shared by twostudents, NerissaMcKenzie and OnielGardner, with each receiving $500.

McKenzie is a graduating senior majoring in biology and a MARCU*(STAR) Scholar. She has demonstrated excellence in research duringher undergraduate career. McKenzie has also presented her research atmany regional and national scientific conferences such as the annualUndergraduate Research Symposia at UMBC, the annual BiomedicalResearch Conference for Minority Students, the annual American Societyfor Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Conference and the UMESResearch Symposium.

McKenzie participates in the Biology Society for which she has servedas secretary and vice-president. She is interviewing for admission to theUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst to pursue the doctoral degree inbiomedical sciences in the fall.

Gardner is also a graduating senior majoring in biology and a MARCU*STAR Scholar. He has demonstrated strong leadership, scholarship andservice qualities in his career at UMES. He maintains an overall grade pointaverage of 3.36.

Gardner won first place at the annual Undergraduate ResearchSymposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences at UMBC. He alsoearned second place at the annual Biomedical Research Conference forMinority Students in Phoenix, Ariz., last year.

Gardner has been accepted into the graduate program at theUniversity of Iowa to pursue a doctoral degree in biochemistry and theUniversity of California Berkley National Science Foundation ResearchExperience for Undergraduates in Cell, Developmental and EvolutionaryBiology.

HettiarachchiOutstandingStudentAward

Adonis AjayiNerissa McKenzie and Oniel Gardner

adults from Delmarva to conduct research with the goal of publishing thefindings. Students and faculty in the department will work with subjectgroups using sophisticated tools of measurement to get a very accurateassessment of the individual’s strength, balance and muscle mass.

“From those measurements, we can relate their strength, bodycomposition and balance to statin therapy and compare them to controls,or research subjects not on statin therapy,” said Treuth. “The significanceis that if a person has decreased strength and balance, they are moreprone to falling or not being able to carry out daily activities. It has a big

RESEARCH GRANTS continued from page 3 impact on the health outcomes of adults as many adults in the U.S. are onstatin therapy.”

As part of the grant, a research coordinator and professional grantwriter, Charity Holley, has been hired to work with Treuth and Heimdal toassist in obtaining continued and larger scaled funding for such research.

“The infrastructure is now here and we have the capacity of people,”said Heimdal. “These projects have the potential to become bigger thanUMES; they can be regional in nature, involving the medical care of thethree hospitals and the three health departments in the Tri-County area ofSomerset, Wicomico and Worchester.”

Photo by Jim Glovier

Photo by Jim Glovier

UMES recognizes top students atH O N O R S C O N V O C A T I O N

UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

6 U M E S S C H O O L N E W SUNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

The Key / May 2010

Renowned Ugandan artists, Lilian Nabulime and Rita Edopu, visited UMES for the firsttime in April to discuss their work with students, faculty and staff in the Department of FineArts. Although the artists use different mediums, Nabulime and Edopu share a common goal;to educate the public about issues close to their hearts. Nabulime’s work serves as a sound-ing board for HIV/AIDS awareness, while Edopu focuses on social issues in East Africa.

Pictured during the visit, from left to right, are: Ernest Satchell, chair of the UMES De-partment of Fine Arts; Dr. Deborah Campbell, group coordinator; Ritah Edopu, assistantprofessor, Makerere University; Former Ambassador to Gambia George Haley; and Dr.Lilian Nabulime, professor, Makerere University. Both of the artists’work are on displaynow through June 1 in the exhibit, “The Last Frontier: Five Contemporary AfricanWomen Artists,” at the Bordsky Center Gallery at The Heldrich in New Brunswick, N.J.

Dr. Joe Leonard Jr., assistant secretary for civil rights, USDA, recently visited UMES. Leonard held talks with President Thelma B. Thompson and other uni-versity officials. His schedule for the day included a campus tour and lunch with the agriculture honors students and the 1890 Scholars.

“It is important to get outside of the D.C. beltway and learn,” said Leonard. “I saw orchids and the beginnings of a solar farm. You can’t adequately de-scribe that in a brochure or on the website. You have to see it, walk the grounds; and you have to see the students’ eyes. When I saw the students’ eyes, I knewthat America’s in good hands.”

Ugandan artists visitUMES Department of Fine Arts

Gerald Day receives award

Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Emmanuel Acquah, executive vice president, UMES; PresidentThelma B.Thompson, UMES; Dr. Joe Leonard Jr., assistantsecretary for civil rights, USDA; Dr. Gladys Shelton, dean, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES; Lisa Purnell, 1890 USDA Liaison Officer,UMES.

From left to right, Dr. Gerald Day, professor and coordina-tor of graduate studies for the Department ofTechnology atUMES, receives the Award of Distinction of the Interna-tional Technology and Engineering Education Association(ITEEA) by Dr. Kendall Starkweather, executive director,ITEEA, at their annual international conference held inCharlotte, N.C. One of the top awards ITEEA presents, theAward of Distinction recognizes a member that has distin-guished themselves through accomplishments in the im-provement of instruction, research and scholarship, andeffective teaching over their career. Day has been in thefield of education for 42 years and has been active at thelocal, state and national level inTechnology Education andCareer andTechnical Education.

USDA civil rights representative visit UMES

Photo by Mathew Whitiker

7S C H O O L N E W SUNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

The Key / May 2010

Students from UMES joined 47 other HBCUs in abattle of academic prowess at the 21st annual HondaCampus All-Star Challenge, the nation’s largest academiccompetition held between HBCUs.

More than 250 HBCU college students traveled toOrlando, Fla., to participate in the two-day competition,April 11-12, which showcased their knowledge in theareas of world history, science, literature, religion, thearts, social science and popular culture. Teams vied forthe chance to win grant money for their school with thewinner walking away with the top prize of $50,000. Inall, a total of $328,000 in institutional grants wereawarded through this year’s program.

“Our varsity team played with pride and distinctionduring the tournament,” said Dr. James White, associate vice president for Student Life and Enrollment Management at UMES and head coach for theteam. “We won our first game, defeating Savanna State, and finished third in our room with a record of 3 and 2. Our losses were to two good teams,Florida A&M and Howard University. We are thankful to Honda to have had this opportunity to showcase some of UMES’ best and brightest students.”

During the 21 years that UMES has participated in the national academic competition they have a cumulative grants earning of $104,000.

UMES competes atHonda Campus All-StarChallenge

Photo by Alverne ChesterfieldThe UMES Honda Campus All-Star Challenge team, from left to right, are Assistant CoachLisa Purnell; Michael Dugan, a biology major from Mardela Springs, Md.; Essence Hales, anagribusiness major from Millersville, Md.; Kenneth Hales II, an agribusiness major fromMillersville, Md.; Fred Stephens, a business administration major from Newark, N.J.;Zachary Kelley, an agribusiness major from Salisbury, Md.; and Dr. James White Jr., thecoach.

an Emmy for her performance in “Relative Strangers,” a Hallmarkmade-for-TV movie.

Tyson was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actressin a Leading Role for her portrayal of Rebecca Morgan in the film“Sounder.” She is one of only seven African-American actresses todate to receive the nomination. Her most recent movieappearances include “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” “Because ofWinn-Dixie” and “Madea’s Family Reunion.”

Tyson has been honored not only for her professional career,but for her civic mindedness and her impact on civil rights. OprahWinfrey honored Tyson at her Legends Ball. Tyson founded theDance Theatre of Harlem with Arthur Mitchell. This past fall,marked the unveiling of the Cicely L. Tyson Community School ofPerforming and Fine Arts in Orange, N.J. This July, the NAACP willaward Tyson their highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, foroutstanding and noble achievement by an American of Africandescent. She will become the 95th recipient of the award, joiningprevious medalists such as Dr. Benjamin Carson, former U.S.Secretary of State Colin Powell, baseball hall of famer Henry“Hank” Aaron, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

During her visit to UMES and the Eastern Shore, Tyson willreceive several honors. She will be awarded the Honorary Doctorof Humane Letters during commencement exercises at UMES.Prior to her engagement at UMES, the City of Cambridge, Md., willproclaim May 20 as “Cicely Tyson Day” and present Tyson with the“keys to the city.” Cambridge is located in Dorchester County, thebirthplace of African-American abolitionist and leader of theUnderground Railroad Harriet Tubman.

For more information about the UMES springcommencement, call 410-651-6669.

Obama’s 2009 Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative and President Bush’sAfrican Education Initiative and Initiative to End Hunger in Africa. She will receivethe Honorary Doctor of Science degree.

Prior to her recent retirement, she served as the program management liaisonfor the USDA, Foreign Agriculture Services, Office of Capacity Building andDevelopment. She initiated a program that established cooperative agreementsbetween 1890 Land Grant Universities and the USDA/USAID. These agreementsopened the pathway for the universities to partner with the USDA and USAID inimplementing foreign assistance activities. Under the program, UMES hassuccessfully competed and received over $15 million in grants from USDA.

Dr. Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey, a mathematical physicist, will receive theHonorary Doctor of Science. The first African full professor in mathematicalsciences in Ghana, 1973, Allotey has served in various academic positions ofincreasing responsibility at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science andTechnology. Since 1995, he has been the director of the Institute of MathematicalSciences there. Educated at the Imperial College of Science and Technology inLondon and Princeton University, he was the first to introduce the theory of electron-hole scattering resonances effect on soft x-ray spectroscopy in metals. He is theco-author of the book “Nuclear Weapons-Report of the UN Secretary-General,”1980.

Allotey has organized and directed several workshops and conferences atnational and international levels on mathematical sciences, physical sciences,energy, information and communication technology. He is the founder andcoordinator of the Ghana Energy Research Group and has been appointed to variouscommissions in his native country. At the international level, he is a member of theUNESCO Physics Action Council; the Scientific Council for the International Instituteof Theoretical and Applied Physics in the U.S.; the International Centre forTheoretical Physics in Italy; the International Scientific Advisory Council, MolecularFrontier Foundation in Sweden; and the International Atomic Energy Agency inAustria.

TYSON continued from page 1 COMMENCEMENT continued from page 1

8 E V E N T SUNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

The Key / May 2010

“Caught Doing Good” award nomineesand recipients recognized

Arts & EntertainmentSPRING 2010 CALENDAR

4 & 6 SPRING FAMILY RECITAL

11 a.m. / Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts

6 OPENING RECEPTION-ART EXHIBIT4-6 p.m. “Graduating Senior Show”Mosely Gallery / Hours: Mon. through Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Show on display through May 20

Submissions to The KEY are preferred via email: umesnews@umes.edu. All copy is subject to editing.

The KEY is delivered through campus mail and to drop boxes across campus.Call 410-651-7580 to request additional copies.

The Key is written according to the Associated Press stylebook.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY SUMMER! NEXT KEY - FALL SEMESTER.For the latest news about UMES Athletics, check out Hawk Talk:

www.umeshawks.com

G. Stan Bradley, Assistant Director of Athletics for External Affairs/SID

University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Department of Athletics

W. P. Hytche Athletic Center

Princess Anne, MD 21853

Ph. 410-651-6499 Fax: 410-651-7514

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From left to right are finalists for the “CaughtDoing Good” award Jonathan Blackmon, lecturer,rehabilitations services; and Grand PrizeWinnerSheila Curtis, administrative assistant I, financialaid. James Lunnermon II is not pictured.

8 UMES GOSPEL CHOIR SPRING CONCERT5 p.m. / Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts

11 SPRING CHAMBER ENSEMBLE RECITAL6 p.m. / Student Services Center Theatre

May

Twenty nominees for the “Caught Doing Good” award were recognized atthe annual Leadership Luncheon sponsored by the UMES Office of HumanResources. Pictured, from left to right, are Cheryl Holden-Duffy, ReneeGaston, Patricia Jones-Bailey, Linda Boynton, Sheila Curtis, JohnTilghman,Dr. Jurgen Schwarz, LauresaWigfall, Jonathan Blackmon, FrancineJohnson, Erika Koziol, Paula Holden, Benita Brown-Rashaw and DonnaPrice. Nominees not pictured are Mary Ames, Shearn Barkley, Norman Billie,Dr. Nicholas Blanchard, Donna Hickman and James Lunnermon II.