Read Dr. Jarrell’s column on sustainability and our Earth Month celebration and learn about student, faculty, and staff achievements; upcoming events; and news from around UMB.
To see previous editions of The President’s Message newsletter, go to the archives page on the Office of the President website.
President’s Column: Earth Month Celebration Puts a Focus on Sustainability
I often encourage our University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) students, faculty, and staff to “live our core values” through actions in their professional and personal lives. With the calendar turning to April and Earth Day approaching on the 22nd, it’s a good time to reflect on our core value of sustainability and how we as a University must protect our people, planet, communities, and University.
I take pride in setting an example for UMB in the area of sustainability. If you happen to see me driving onto campus, you might notice that I’m steering an electric vehicle (EV) to help cut down on my carbon footprint, and then I am happy to take advantage of one of the University’s 21 EV charging stations. At home, I’ve added solar panels on top of our geothermal heating/cooling system, improving our energy efficiency as my house is powered by a battery that’s charged by solar heat during the day.
My efforts to conserve resources and practice sustainable behaviors in my personal life is founded in my desire to leave the world in better shape for my grandchildren and be a role model for environmental responsibility as they grow up. This matters to me as grandfather, and it matters to me as the president of our great institution.
Soon after I was inaugurated in 2021, I reaffirmed our commitment to environmentally friendly practices by re-signing onto the Second Nature Climate Commitment to show the University’s dedication to carbon neutrality and building a resilient campus. That action was validated in our 2022-2026 Strategic Plan when Well-Being and Sustainability was included among our new core values sets. And in fall 2021, we launched the Office of Sustainability, which as you will read below is doing terrific work.
While many relate sustainability in general to climate change, energy savings, and waste reduction, UMB’s initiatives are multidimensional and cover a larger area of concern. Our efforts encompass three central pillars — equity, economy, and environment — as we continue to build an inclusive culture of sustainability on our campus and in Baltimore.
These efforts hit home in April with our Earth Month celebration, which features events and initiatives that include a Swap Party with Launch Your Life; Walking Wednesday: Wellness Week and Earth Month Edition; Meet the Founder: Kevin Tu of Sustainabli; Bike Tune-Ups with Joe’s Bike Shop; a Sustainability Town Hall; and much more. Please check out the Earth Month 2025 webpage for more details.
If your schedule allows, please take time to participate in at least one Earth Month activity in April or learn more about our programs on the Office of Sustainability’s website. You also can get involved in this important work by signing up for the UMB Sustainability Newsletter, nominating a Sustainability Champion, or volunteering through our Office of Community and Civic Engagement, Office of Intercultural Leadership and Engagement, or the city of Baltimore.
Now I’d like to take a moment to offer kudos to our Office of Sustainability, which hit the ground running four years ago and hasn’t stopped making strides, compiling an impressive list of achievements for UMB, including the following:
- The University began purchasing 100 percent renewable electricity in calendar year 2022, coming from off-campus solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects.
- We signed a Power Purchase Agreement for the construction of the first on-campus renewable energy infrastructure, a solar canopy atop Penn Street Garage.
- UMB broke ground on a new School of Social Work building in October 2024. Its combined sustainability features will make it the first building in downtown Baltimore and the University System of Maryland to be certified as operational net-zero.
- We completed the self-service waste rollout across campus buildings, minimizing plastic liner usage, streamlining waste sorting, and reducing waste that is sent to the incinerator.
This essential work is coordinated and executed by a dynamic and dedicated team in the Office of Sustainability that is committed to this critical UMB core value. The office is led by a director, Elizabeth Main, MPA, whose work was recognized recently with the UMB 2024 Cecil S. Kelly Memorial Employee of the Year Award. I am so proud of Elizabeth and her impressive colleagues as they lead these programs and initiatives.
So no matter what you do to reduce your environmental footprint — biking to work, recycling, composting, or driving an electric car the way I do — remember that even small actions can make a big difference over time.
I encourage all UMB students, faculty, and staff members to discover more about sustainability in general and learn about the impact we are making at our University. Individually or collectively, each of us can contribute to creating a more sustainable UMB.
Sincerely,
Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
President
Laurels
See our monthly roundup of the achievements of STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF.
New Hires
See a LIST OF NEW HIRES at UMB central administration and our seven schools for March.
News and Notes
MaryBeth Hyland, founder of SparkVision, shares a laugh during her breakout session, “Values-Driven Boundaries: From Burnt Out to Lit Up, Reclaim Your Power,” at the UMBrella Group’s sixth annual Women’s History Month Symposium on March 13. (Photo by Matthew D’Agostino)
AN UPLIFTING UMBRELLA EVENT: The Sixth Annual Women’s History Month Symposium, organized by the UMBrella Group, brought together over 200 women and allies to celebrate and learn at the SMC Campus Center. But the daylong event was about more than professional development — it was a call to action. Through powerful conversations, personal reflection, and even laughter, keynote speakers Randi Braun and Gloria Blackwell challenged the event’s attendees to rethink how they show up for themselves and for each other.
NAVIGATING FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES: The Issues Management Advisory Group (IMAG) has created a hub for information regarding evolving federal policy, the status of executive branch orders, UMB leadership communications, and external resources that may provide a benefit to the University community. The webpage will be updated as new information becomes available, and information is organized by the areas of focus of the IMAG task forces: Research; Non-Discrimination and Compliance; and International.
“THE UMB PULSE” WITH DR. WILBUR CHEN: In the latest episode of UMB’s monthly podcast, the distinguished School of Medicine professor highlights the importance of federally funded research and global health efforts for local stability. In addition, Chen addresses current concerns such as the resurgence of measles in the United States and the avian flu outbreak, emphasizing the need for widespread vaccination and sustained research.
FIFTY YEARS AND GOING STRONG: The University of Maryland Police Department was created in 1975, when 72 men raised their right hands and took the oath of office. This year, UMB Police and Public Safety is commemorating where it’s been while looking toward the future. The yearlong golden anniversary celebration features the tagline: “Celebrating 50 Years of Protecting What Matters: You.” Chief of Police Thomas Leone says, “A lot has changed over 50 years, but one thing has remained constant — our commitment to the safety of our community.”
MIXING THE ARTS WITH SCIENCES: Beyond academics, UMB is a vibrant community rich in diverse talents, including a strong appreciation for the arts. This appreciation has blossomed over the past 10 years with the creation of the Council for the Arts & Culture. While UMB does not offer formal classes or art degrees, the artistic interests of its community are extensive, with art playing a significant role in University life and community engagement with such initiatives as 1807, our art and literary journal; on-campus museums; public art; and much more.
PLENTY OF PRAISE TO GO AROUND: The Employee Recognition and Service Awards Luncheon on March 20 honored long-tenured staff members and concluded with three honorees collecting crystal plaques, certificates of commendation, and lots of kudos: Cecil S. Kelly Memorial Employee of the Year Elizabeth Main; Community Service Award winner Paris Barnes; and James T. Hill Scholarship recipient Jahmoy Colquhoun. The event also honored employees who in 2024 celebrated service anniversaries in five-year increments between 20 and 40 years, including six who hit the 40-year mark at UMB.
From left, Malika Monger, chief human resources officer and assistant vice president; Elizabeth Main, director of sustainability and UMB 2024 Employee of the Year; and Dawn Rhodes, chief business and finance officer and senior vice president. (Photo by Matthew D’Agostino)
Upcoming Events
APRIL 7-11: URECFIT AND WELLNESS WHOLE U WELL-BEING WEEK: Join URecFit and Wellness and UMB partners for events that celebrate the importance of social well-being and its impact on holistic health. This is a Universitywide collaboration among URecFit and Wellness and various areas of UMB centered around the theme “Better Together.” Activities will be offered to build social connections for staff, faculty, and students.
APRIL 23 AND 26: DONALDSON BROWN OPEN HOUSE: The Donaldson Brown Riverfront Event Center invites potential UMB clients to discover a unique event venue at two exclusive open house events, both from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Situated in the scenic town of Port Deposit, Md., the center offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern amenities that make it an ideal choice for conferences, weddings, and private gatherings.
APRIL 24: CLIMATE HEALTH SYMPOSIUM: In recognition of Earth Month 2025, the School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health and UMB’s Office of Sustainability will co-host a panel discussion exploring the far-reaching consequences of climate change on public health, using both a global lens and looking specifically at the challenges Maryland faces. The event will feature speakers from the World Bank, the University of Colorado-Boulder, and Maryland Department of the Environment.
Save the Date
MAY 19-23: GRADUATION WEEK: UMB will celebrate the Class of 2025’s accomplishments and graduation with a series of individual school ceremonies at sites on or near our campus and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md. UMB President Bruce Jarrell and Provost Roger Ward will confer degrees at the school ceremonies, where graduates will walk the stage as they embark on the next part of their educational or career journeys.
Video of the Month
Watch President Jarrell’s interview with the Baltimore Business Journal for the newspaper’s “Elevate Greater Baltimore” series.