Dear UMB Community,

Yesterday, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) hosted our first annual Faculty Convocation. It served as an opportunity for faculty from each of UMB’s schools to gather in fellowship with one another to celebrate the beginning of the academic year.

UMB is an excellent university with outstanding faculty, and the Faculty Convocation served as a fitting way to recognize and celebrate them. We recognized the newest Distinguished University Professors and heard three amazing talks by faculty members.

Maneka Sinha, JD, associate professor at the Francis King Carey School of Law, spoke about faulty forensics — teaching us not only about how technology is used but also the need to be science-minded and critical jurors.

Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, RN, CRNP, associate professor and chair of the Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice at the School of Nursing, explained the importance of social connections and reminded us that UMB is bold enough to face critical challenges and build strong social connections with each other and with our West Baltimore neighbors.

Finally, Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD, MA, MDE, BCPS, CPE, professor and executive director of Advanced Post-Graduate Education in Palliative Care at the School of Pharmacy, shared her passion for excellent service, taught us about palliative care, and challenged us to think about how we can show grace and compassion in our interactions with others.

I invite you to watch the video; it’s well worth your time. I also implore you to look for other examples of passion and excellence at UMB, especially those outside of your own unit or school.

I’m proud of our faculty and our commitment to service, and I’m proud to lead UMB.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS 

President