ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË

New and renovated campus structures, and a peek at plans for next year’s ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË Centennial celebration were among the highlights announced by President Carolyn Ringer Lepre during her third State of the University address. She also celebrated the many accomplishments of SU's students, faculty and staff from the past year, framed by stories from Sea Gulls who have shared their success with the campus community.

While Art, English, and Philosophy may compete to be such stuff as parental nightmares are made when it comes to their children’s chosen majors– “How will they ever get a job?!”– ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË is actively working to debunk this myth by collaborating with QA Commons to identify and strengthen employability skills within their liberal arts curriculum. These three programs are the first in the nation in the liberal arts field to receive QA Commons’ Essential Employability Qualities Certification.

ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË students can now go shopping without leaving campus thanks to SU’s Recycling Department. Sammy’s Stash secondhand shop, geared toward reducing waste and providing free sustainable resources, saw more than 20 appointments and over 100lbs of gently used items recirculated back to the SU community in its first week. The new facility was dedicated at the beginning of SU’s fall semester.

In an effort to focus on the prevention of crashes and roadway fatalities, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced over $13.3 million in federal highway safety grants to organizations across Maryland. The funding will be distributed on October 1 to 87 agencies, organizations and programs, including the ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË Police Department ($1,995). Funds are allocated based on crash data for each county or organization and may be used for traffic safety initiatives.

Three members of the ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË community have received one of the University System of Maryland’s (USM’s) highest honors: the Board of Regents’ Staff Award. Jennifer Ellis (Academic Affairs) was honored for “Exceptional Contribution to the Institution and/or Unit to Which the Person Belongs.” Michelle Pryor (Alumni Engagement) received the award for “Effectiveness and Efficiency.” Stephanie Davis (formerly of the University Writing Center) was recognized for “Outstanding Services to ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË in an Academic or Residential Environment.”

When it comes to political engagement, a significant portion of ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË students are “ALL IN.” SU was named a Bronze Campus at the 2024 ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Awards ceremony, recognizing the institution for achieving a student voting rate up to 29% in the 2022 midterm election. The event honored colleges and universities nationwide committed to increasing student voting rates.

Dennis Senkbeil is the new marching band director for ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË, the first in over four decades. The program's return is expected to provide a new way for students to stay connected. Typically, not all marching band members are music majors, but they enjoy the opportunity to be creative. Senkbeil’s extensive experience and knowledge includes 15 years teaching secondary education band while living in Arizona and receiving a master’s degree in music education. He is pursuing a doctorate in musical arts and wind band conducting.

Those who aspire to become a snowbird or daydream of beach strolls after work may be interested in relocating to a beach town – the question is, which coast? For those who choose the Mid-Atlantic, ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË might be just the right place. Reaching No. 19 on U.S. News & World Report's 2024-25 list of "The Best Places to Live by the Beach in the U.S.," ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË is just a short drive from multiple beaches in an area where "ÃÛÌÒÇéÈË students inject a certain amount of youth to the area."