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

Page 2UMES and Navy Work Together

Page 3President’s Prayer BreakfastAlumna Actress Vistis

Page 6Athletics

Page 4 - 5Homecoming Photos

Page 7Technology ScholarshipsVP Speaks to Students

Page 8Events Calendar

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

COMMUNICATION IS

As dessert plates from the2011 Gala’s sumptuous mealwere cleared away, mistress ofceremonies Maggie Lintoninvited UMES students workingbehind-the-scenes to stepforward and take a bow.

An endless stream ofundergraduates – manywearing white apprentice chefhats and matching smocks –circumnavigated the StudentServices Center ballroomSaturday night. The sell-outcrowd of nearly 500 rose to itsfeet in applause that built to acrescendo, and then intorhythmic clapping. The smiles on the students’ faces said it all –“Hollywood on the Shore” was another resounding success.

The event marked the second year in a row that friends and supportersof UMES had a chance to mingle with celebrities on home turf. EntertainersTyne Daly, David Alan Grier, Pam Grier and Sharon Stone graced theuniversity with their presence for an occasion that is arguably the lowerEastern Shore’s premier social event.

Each celebrity guest addressed attendees seated in a ballroomtransformed with decorations into a scene that could have been inspired bya big-budget musical.

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March 11, 2011

INSIDE

Stone, who travels theworld raising awareness aboutpoverty, political oppression,environmental and healthproblems, touched on thosesubjects during her speech.She also singled out PresidentThelma B. Thompson forpraise as a strong female rolemodel.

Her voice full of emotion,Stone said she “could not bemore honored” to receive anhonorary degree from UMES.“I feel accepted, understoodand loved,” Stone said.

Pam Grier said theevening brought back memories of role models, now deceased, whoinspired her as a young woman: the Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, thefirst black woman to run for president, and her friend and fellow actressTamara Jones. Grier, who used sign language to express thanks and love tothe crowd, described receiving the honorary degree as a humbling andempowering experience.

As the quartet’s designated comedian, David Alan Grier did notdisappoint. He produced the biggest laugh with a story about attending afundraiser and being mistaken for LeVar Burton. Burton was scheduled toattend the UMES Gala, but had to send his regrets because of a last-minute

Finesse Mitchell, a former cast member of NBC’s“Saturday Night Live,” is scheduled to speak at the university onTues., March 15.

Mitchell – a comedian, actor, author and ESSENCEMagazine columnist – is serving as a Black History lecturer forUMES. His talk will begin at 7 p.m. in the Student ServicesCenter Theater.

Mitchell got his first big break in show business when hejoined the cast of SNL more than six years ago. Before that, hemade an impact in the world of stand-up comedy with his takeson life and love, drawing sell-out crowds across the country.

On the big screen, Mitchell has taken on comedic roles in“Who’s Your Caddy?,” “The Comebacks” and “Mad Money.”

UMES puts on another “Oscar-worthy” party

Former SNL cast member to speak at UMES

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Throughout his career, Mitchell has performed on NBClate night television, BET’s “Comic View” and Comedy Central.He has also appeared as a reoccurring guest on “The TodayShow,” “The Early Show,” and “The Tom Joyner MorningShow,” to name a few.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Mitchell is known for his“witty sense of humor, showmanship and smooth Southerncharm.”

In 2008, he earned an African-American Literary Awardfor Best Comedy Book, for his novel “Your Girlfriends OnlyKnow So Much” – a humorous dating guide for women.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Call 410-651-6434 for more information.

Celebrities attending “Hollywood on the Shore” pose with UMES President Thelma B.Thompson after receiving honorary degrees for their successful careers and philan-thropic efforts. Pictured from left are Sharon Stone, Pam Grier, Thompson, Tyne Dalyand David Alan Grier.

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

The Key / March 11, 2011

Two years after anagreement betweenUMES and the Navy todevelop localemploymentopportunities forengineering students,the two groups metalong with their firstsuccess story.

Keon Harmon, whograduated last May fromthe University ofMaryland Eastern Shore,landed a job at theNavy's Surface CombatSystems Center atWallops Island in July.

"It was a little slowto get off the ground,but now we have ourinitial hire," said Capt.John J. Keegan of SCSC."I see him as being thefoundation for this."

Harmon, who grewup in Wattsville, Va.,and graduated from Arcadia High School, said he always had a fascinationwith what went on behind the locked gates at Wallops.

"It was practically next door to my house," he said. "It's a good keptsecret until you get inside."

The young electrical engineer now works at SCSC, which is a land-based test site for Navy ships.

Tony Stockus, one of Harmon's former instructors at UMES, said thepartnership with the Navy was a way to help local students studyengineering and then find jobs without having to leave the Eastern Shore.

"It's a win-win for all of us," he said.

Attending the presentation ceremony, from left, are: Lisa Ingram, senior chief,Surface Combat Systems Center Command; Dr. Paula Roberson, executiveassistant, UMES Office of the President; Keon Harmon, electronics engineer,Surface Combat Systems Center, UMES 2010; Capt. John J. Keegan,commanding officer, Surface Combat Systems Center; UMES President ThelmaB. Thompson; Dr. J. Carlos Manduley, senior adviser, Educational Partnerships,Federal Aviation Administration; Dr. Emmanuel Acquah, senior executiveassistant to the president for planning and assessment, UMES; and Dr. RolandaBurney, special assistant to the president, UMES.Dr. Thelma B. Thompson and Keon

Harmon listen as Capt. John J. Keegan,commanding officer of the SurfaceCombat Systems Center in WallopsIsland, Va., explains features on a scalemodel of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan onloan to UMES. The university and theNavy are collaborating on ways toprepare graduates for civilian jobs inthe engineering and technology fieldsavailable in the U.S. military.

Dr. William Pender and his wife, Minnie, applaud as HRMstudents take a congratulatory lap around the ballroom.Sharahn Boykin is pictured at right.

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UMES, Navy work togetherto help students find jobs

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Graduate now worksat Wallops IslandBy Liz Holland, staffwriter for the Daily Times

On February 15, Keegan presented UMES officials with a model of theaircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as a memento of the partnership.

In addition to providing job opportunities, the partnership is designedto provide internships and aims to enhance faculty professionaldevelopment opportunities in engineering and aviation sciences.

The partners will also collaborate to provide staff developmentworkshops, seminars and training for both agencies.

The engineering program at UMES offers a Bachelor of Science degreein engineering with specializations in electrical, computer, mechanical oraerospace.

The Surface Combat Systems Center provides critical mission supportto the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems, PEO ships,Naval Sea Systems Command and the U.S. Surface Navy.

While job openings at SCSC have been limited, Keegan said some staffmembers are nearing retirement age, so positions will become available inthe not-too-distant future.

"It will build up the corps of graduates from the university," he said.

professional obligation.Daly confided she was nervous about speaking without notes, and then eloquently

talked about the value of education, reading and her disappointment with America’s failureto tell the complete story of the role blacks and women have played in the nation’s history.

Laughter erupted when Daly said, “I’m talking so much because I’m now a doctor,”referring to the honorary degree she had just been awarded. Like her fellow celebrityguests, Daly challenged UMES students to take advantage of the college experience.

As Thompson pointed out in her welcoming remarks, UMES students often fall short ofearning their degrees because they cannot afford tuition and fees. The Gala will generate anestimated $280,000 toward the university’s $14 million Campaign for Academic Excellenceto raise funds for scholarships so some of those students can reach that goal. Thompsonthanked those present for supporting that worthy cause.

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

The Key / March 11, 2011

Photo by Jim Glovier

Alumna actress shares “tips inthe biz” with aspiring students

Members of the UMES Drama Society present actress and alumnaStarletta DuPois with an award of appreciation. From left, are HermanHodges, acting president of the Drama Society; DuPois; Dr. DellaDameron-Johnson, director of the UMES Drama Society; and ChantelStitt, an apprentice with the Drama Society.

From left, are Rev. MarkThompson, master ofceremonies; UMESPresident Thelma B.Thompson; and Rev.Mishael Miller, aninspirational musicministry vocalist.

Over 120 people from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds attend the eighth annual President’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, the traditional opening of UMES’ Homecoming festivities.

Keynote speakerJustine Willis Toms, aradio talk show hostand author of “SmallPleasures: FindingGrace in a ChaoticWorld,” listed fiveinspirations that can“hold you steady inthe current.”

Starletta DuPois, Hollywood actress and graduate of Maryland StateCollege’s Class of 1968, returned to her alma mater for homecoming and togive something back.

DuPois said she’s always excited to come home to her “family” (atUMES) to see classmates and colleagues and witness the changes oncampus since her last visit. “When I do return, it’s important to mentor andshare the viability of dreaming big, whatever students want to do,” she said.“We’re never too old and it’s never too late.”

The actress took some time out to visit a drama class.Dr. Della Dameron-Johnson, director of the UMES Drama Society, said

DuPois relayed useful knowledge to those interested in pursing a career inentertainment. Her words of wisdom: Don’t give up, never quit.

“She gave a lot of good advice, because I want to be an actress, too,”said Chantel Stitt, a freshman from Owings Mills. “I liked the part where shetalked about hardships and perseverance. She said you can’t let the badthings get you down.”

Herman Hodges, a sophomore from Prince George’s County, also tooksome advice to keep in the back of his mind. “She told me that if you have adream, go for it! Don’t sit on the sideline and watch, because that givessomeone else a time to shine,” he said.

DuPois recently won Best Actress in a Leading Role by the ManchesterEvening News for her role in the play “A Raisin In The Sun” performed atthe Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, England.

“I was honored to receive the best actress award for (my role as)Lena,” DuPois said. “I’m one of the few women who have played all threeroles: Ruth, the wife; Benitha, the daughter; and Lena, the mother.”

DuPois said the play broke box office records at the theater. “This playcaptured their hearts and minds,” she said. “For a country where peopledon’t usually do standing ovations, they stood up for us every night.”

President’s Prayer Breakfast units and inspires

Photos by Jim Glovier

UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

4 The Key / March 11, 2011 H O M E C O

Homecoming “head cheerleader” is undeniably Kimberly Dumpson J.D.,director of alumni affairs and planned giving. Photo by Jim Glovier

Solomon Isekeije, acting chairperson of theDepartment of Fine Arts, and Timothy Sherman, asenior art education major from Willards, show acompleted 25 pound hawk made of metal, plaster andresin. The hawk graces the float along with two 2-Deagles created by Professor Michel Demanche and afew of her students, Summer Leverette, LaurenBaldwin and Mia Bland. Photo by Jim Glovier

President Thelma B. Thompson arrives on campus in aclassic car as part of the Homecoming parade. Photo by Joey Gardner

President Thompson cheers as the parade comes toits final destination in front of Harford Hall. Photo by Joey Gardner

Couples dance to the tunes of Rose Royce at theHomecoming casino night “A Night in Monte Carlo.”Photo by Matthew Whittiker

Devenia P. Wallace, a homeeconomics education graduate of thePrincess Anne College Class of 1943,cuts the cake at a brunch forgraduates of the Department ofHuman Ecology. Wallace, 91, was theoldest alumni present. Dr. NinaBennett (at right), acting chair of thedepartment, assists. Dr. ShirleyHymon-Parker, former chair of thedepartment, was also honored at theevent. Photo by Matthew Whittiker

Physical Plant employees donate their time andtalent to building a float for the 2011 HomecomingParade. Director of Alumni Affairs and PlannedGiving Kimberly Dumpson J.D., cheers them on.From left, are Russell Coleman, RichardRichardson, Gerald Outten, Eugene Hoy,Dumpson, Curtis Hartman, Relford Matthews andOmar Granados. Photo by Jim Glovier

UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

5The Key / March 11, 2011O M I N G

Former UMEScheerleaders returnedto campus forHomecoming and toshow that they stillhave what it takes tojoin in the parade. Photo by Michel Demanche

Former UMES cheerleaders take a break on the bleachers as they watchthe UMES vs Howard Homecoming basketball game. Photo by Matthew Whittiker

UMES alumni recently named to the Hall of Excellence ride on the Home-coming float, 1886 to 2011 Celebrating 125 Years. Pictured, left to right,are: (front row) Ret. Col. Ralph Hodge, Joanne Johnson-Shaw, WilliamDennis, (back row) Dianna Rogers-Ford, Allen J. Singleton and DeborahPowell Hayman. Photo by Bill Robinson

UMES cheerleaders and the pep band perform during halftime at theHomecoming game. Photo by Matthew Whittiker

Pro football players and UMES alumni attending the Mighty Hawks Re-union, from left, are: Leslie Donaldson, John Smith, Billy Thompson,Emerson Boozer, Carl Hairston, Curtis Gentry, Mack Alston and MarshallCropper. Photo by Matthew Whittiker

The UMES Diamonds makeway for Harry the Hawk and theThunderin’ Hawks Pep Band.Photo by Joey Gardner

6 A T H L E T I C SUNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

The Key / March 11, 2011

MEN'S BASKETBALLThe Hawks moved into

post-season play at the 2011MEAC tournament with anexciting, double-overtime 87-85victory againstFlorida A&M inthe openinground.

The teamfinished theregular seasonwith a four-gamehome winningstreak,including a 60-50 win overDelaware State. The Hawks’overall record was 8-21 and 5-11 in the conference play.

Seniors Josh Bright(Salisbury, Md.), Tim Burns(Franklinville, N.J.), FreddyObame Obame (Libreville, Gabon), RJ Tucker (Arnold, Md.) and KevinWhite (Brooklyn, N.Y.) were honored before a crowd of 3,000 fans at thefinal home game.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALLThe Lady Hawks matched the men with an opening-round upset win in

the 2011 MEAC tournament, defeating Delaware State 52-44.The team finished the regular season with two victories, winning its

final home game, also against Delaware State, 55-49. The Lady Hawks alsobeat Bethune-Cookman 63-54 in a make-up game. UMES finishedconference play at 8-8 and ended with an 11-18 overall record.

At Senior Night, Casey Morton (Mardela Springs, Md.) was honoredon Senior Night. Morton is one of four players who topped 1,000 pointsduring her career.

INDOOR TRACKThe UMES men’s team had a strong showing in the I4CA Championship

in Boston, finishing tied for fifth with 33 points. Fellow MEAC memberHampton also got 33 points.

Highlights for UMES included: Ackeem Smith (St. Catherine,Jamaica) finishing second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.87seconds, Jermol Dix (Catonsville, Md.) getting fifth in that same race at8.07 seconds, Damian Miles (Teaneck, N.J.) earning fifth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.31 seconds and Marcus Brown (Gaithersburg,

Md.) getting fifth in the shot put with a distance of 16.94meters.

The women’s team competed in the ECAC Championshipin Roxbury, Mass., finishing 18th overall with 15 points.Connecticut earned first place with 96.5 points.

Vanessa Henry (Capital Heights, Md.) finished second inthe shot put with a distance of 15.60 meters. Eunice Jones(Lanham, Md.) and Cynthia Anais (Martinique, France)placed seventh and eighth respectively in the 800-meter runfinals with times of 2.12:99 and 2:18.98. The UMES 4x400meter-relay team of Emilie Ducados (Paris, France), JennellWade (White Plains, Md.), Melina Gallas (Paris, France) andAnais finished fifth overall with a time of 3:46.82.

BOWLINGThe bowling team locked up first place in the MEAC

Northern Division with a strong performance in conferencecompetition, going 9-1. The Lady Hawks stand at 91-28,including a dominant 28-2 in conference play.

Martha Perez (Bogota, Colombia) had one of her bestperformances of the season, rolling a 1,206 in team play,including a 296 against Hampton, the best single-game score inthe MEAC this year.

BASEBALLThe Hawks dropped four games where it had the lead in the final

inning, going 0-6 overall at home during a seven-day stretch. On theseason, the team stands at 1-11.

UMES fell to Fairleigh Dickinson 22-20, to Longwood 5-3 (7innings) and 3-1 (8 innings) plus a three-game set to Long Island 13-3, 6-5and 12-7 (8 innings).

SOFTBALLThe Lady Hawks came up short in four contests, losing to Central

Connecticut State 4-3 (8), Fairleigh Dickinson 11-2 (6), Marist 11-3 (5)and Rutgers 11-3 (5). UMES is now 1-10 on the season.

TENNISThe Hawks men’s and women’s tennis teams began its first season

under head coach Harold Fowler with victory over Virginia Union. Themen’s side swept VU 9-0 while the women’s side won 5-4.

The men’s tennis team played tough but ultimately fell in all fourmatches at the MEAC Roundup. The team lost to Bethune-Cookman 7-0,North Carolina Central 5-2, Norfolk State 7-0 and Florida A&M 7-0.

The women’s tennis team played well but dropped five matches;Bethune Cookman 7-0, Savannah State 5-2, North Carolina Central 6-1,Norfolk State 7-0 and Florida A&M 7-0.

Tyler Hines

Kevin White

Hawk TalkA recap of UMES athletics

By Dave Vatz, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

“I’m not supposed to overcome those odds,” he told theafter-school gathering in the school’s cafeteria. “But I did.”

It wasn’t easy.Jenkins said “I had people in my corner,” including a

teacher who convinced him that being a “class clown” was arecipe for disaster. Jenkins told students he disrupted class tohide the insecurity of being a stutterer. Educators who caredpointed him down the right path that now has him in a seniorleadership role at UMES.

“Today, people pay me to come and speak,” he said. “Itdoesn’t make me somebody, but it means I’m not a ‘nobody,’

either. When you believe in yourself, you can do anything you want.”Turnamian said, “I was able to speak informally with some students

after (his) visit. The students said they ‘listened and heard’ the message. Ibelieve they appreciated his directness and his sharing of his personalstory.”

Turnamian called Jenkins “a positive role model for middle schoolstudents” and hopes this is the beginning of a relationship between UMESand Bennett Middle.

UMES with honors in 2009 with a bachelor’s in technology education. He iscurrently a technology education teacher in Howard County. Love plans topursue his doctorate.

“Tyler is an exceptional student who has previously received awardsand recognition from TEEAM and ITEEA,” said Copeland. “As a result of hisgraduate work, he already has a manuscript accepted for publication in the‘Technology and Engineering Teacher,’ the professional Journal of theInternational Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA).”

The scholarships are awarded in memory of the late Dr. Donald Maley,a tireless advocate for the field, who was professor and chair of thetechnology department at the University of Maryland College Park for manyyears. Maley gained an international reputation for his many papers, booksand conference presentations on the subject.

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

The Key / March 11, 2011

The Technology and Engineering Education Association of Maryland(TEEAM) recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship to an outstandingundergraduate and graduate student in the Career and TechnologyEducation Program at UMES.

The awards were presented at the 14th annual Teacher EducationExcellence in Education Awards Program in Baltimore.

Charles Evans, a junior from Melfa, Va., received the undergraduateaward. While maintaining a high GPA, Evans also serves as a tutor with theCenter for Access and Academic Success at UMES.

“In every respect, he is a model student,” Dr. Leon Copeland, chair,Department of Technology at UMES said. “I am sure that he will become anexcellent teacher of technology education and be an asset to any schoolsystem that is fortunate to hire him.”

The graduate scholarship went to Tyler Love, who is pursuing amaster’s in career and technology education at UMES. Love graduated from

Dr. Anthony Jenkins, who became UMES’ new vicepresident for student affairs and enrollment management inJanuary, wasted little time getting out into the community.Jenkins volunteered to speak at Bennett Middle School at thePTA’s request for a Black History Month speaker from theuniversity.

His message was simple and straightforward: Don’t wastethe opportunity a public school education provides. He spentalmost an entire day at the school, speaking to eight classes aswell as an after-school homework assistance and guidanceprogram for 50 middle-schoolers.

“Jenkins was able to reach out to our students and advise them thattheir current actions and choices have a great impact on their future,” PTApresident Donna Turnamian said. “(He) impressed upon those studentsthat they are in charge of their future, by their choices, their actions and theamount of work they put into their education.”

He told the story of his own upbringing, how he grew up in a single-parent household in the inner city of Washington, D.C., and went on tocollege to earn three degrees.

UMES students receivetechnology scholarships

Robert Gray (at left), pastpresident of TEEAM, andDouglas Handy (at right),TEEAM president andsupervisor of technologyeducation for BaltimoreCounty, present theDonald Maley GraduateScholarship to TylerLove. Love is pursuinghis master’s degree incareer and technologyeducation at UMES.

From left, Dr. Leon Copeland, chair of the Department of Technology,congratulates Charles Evans, a junior technology education major andrecipient of the Donald Maley Undergraduate Scholarship, as studentsupporters, Darien Reeves and Shaun Lloyd, both seniors in theprogram, look on. Lloyd received the award a year ago.

UMES vice presidentto middle-schoolers: “Believe in yourself”

8 E V E N T SUNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

The Key / March 11, 2011

EditorsGains B. Hawkins, Vice President for Institutional AdvancementWilliam Robinson, Director of Public RelationsGail Stephens, Assistant Director of Public RelationsCandice Latshaw, Public Relations Assistant

Arts & EntertainmentSPRING 2011 CALENDAR

The KEY is published by the Office of Public Relations in the Division of Institutional Advancement, University ofMaryland Eastern Shore, 410-651-7580 / fax 410-651-7914 / www.umes.edu. Submissions to The KEY arepreferred via email: umesnews@umes.edu. All copy is subject to editing. The KEY is delivered through campusmail. Call 410-651-7580 to request additional copies. The Key is written according to the Associated Press stylebook.

Design by Debi Rus, Rus Design, Inc. Printed by The Hawk Copy Center

MA

RCH 15 BLACK HISTORY LECTURE

7 p.m. Student Services Center TheaterFeatures the guest speaker Finesse Mitchell, cast memberof NBC’s Saturday Night Live.410-651-6434

31 OPENING RECEPTION-ART EXHIBIT4-6 p.m. Mosely Gallery UMES Fine-Art Student ShowGallery Hours: Mon. through Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Show on display through April 29.410-651-7770

APRIL3 UMES CONCERT CHOIR SPRING CONCERT

4 p.m. Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts410-651-6571

14-16* DINNER THEATREAdvanced tickets required. 410-651-6669

18 HEALTH AND WELLNESS FESTIVAL10 a.m.-2 p.m. Student Services Center Ballroom410-651-6356

17 UMES HONORS BAND AND CHOIR CONCERT4 p.m. Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts410-651-6571

20* HAWK CHILDREN’S FUND LUNCHEONNoon Richard Henson Center Ballroom Topic/ Reading for Africa’s Children: Libraries, Books andLiteracy Programs in Uganda$15 ($7.50 per ticket goes to Hawk Children’s Fund)41-651-6562

21 SECOND ANNUAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUMTime TBA Student Services Center BallroomThe theme of this year’s symposium is “Educating Studentsto Promote Economic Growth.” 410-651-6507

21 OPENING RECEPTION - ART EXHIBIT 4-6 p.m. Mosely GalleryHigh School Art Contest and Open StudiosHours: Mon. through Fri., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. Show on display through April 29.410-651-7770

Black History lecturer,Dr. Maulana Karenga,and his wife, Tiamoyo.Maulana Karenga isthe founder of theAfrican-Americanholiday, Kwanzaa. TheParsonsburg nativespoke at the StudentServices Center onFeb. 18.

UMESDinner Theatertickets on sale

Drama Society and Hotel and Restaurant Management studentswill shine on April 15 and 16 as they present “The Color Purple”for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Spring DinnerTheater. Tickets are now on sale.

The first seating for the buffet dinner begins at 6 p.m.with curtain time at 8 p.m. in the Student Services Centerballroom. Audience members can please their palatebeginning with a spread of gourmet appetizers followedby dinner—all catered by the students and faculty of the

HRM Program at UMES. Dessert is served at intermission.“Dinner Theater gives our seniors an opportunity to experience the

food production and presentation of an expansive buffet, which adds totheir overall academic experience,” Dr. Ernest Boger, chair of the HRMProgram at UMES said. “Throughout the year, other groups of ourstudents prepare and serve plated dinners at events such as the falldinner series, the spring luncheons and the recent UMES Gala.”

Dr. Della Dameron-Johnson, director of the UMES Drama Societysaid the plays often originate from scripts written at UMES, but the groupwanted to do something different this year—something familiar to theaudience.

“We feel like we now have a talent pool from the campus and ourcommunity volunteers to pull it off,” Dameron-Johnson said.

The musical version of “The Color Purple” being performed haspieces Dameron-Johnson said, range from “juke joint to the gospelidiom with plenty in between.”

Ticket prices are $45 for Fri., April 15, and $50 for Sat., April 16.Call 410-651-6230 to purchase tickets or for more information.