Dear Participants and Guests,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to UMBC’s 28th annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD). We are very excited to offer this inspiring experience that means so much to the UMBC community.
URCAD is a celebration of the work of our students by showcasing their achievements; it also recognizes the mentorship and encouragement that inspire these students to be their best. We are delighted the 340 URCAD participants, who have worked so diligently all year, are able to present the culmination of their efforts to the UMBC community through poster presentations, oral presentations, exhibits, and performances. Today you will experience outstanding films, musical performances, paintings, dances, innovative and cutting-edge research in all STEM fields, and much more. This showcase event not only exemplifies UMBC’s commitment to our students from all disciplines, but defines our commitment by providing them the opportunity to engage in mentored projects, and, through creative thought and focused inquiry, to discover in themselves their passion. Supporting our students’ applied learning experiences is central to our mission at UMBC as it develops creative thinking skills, the ability to communicate effectively, analyze information, share stories, and connect with people from diverse cultures, disciplines, and ideologies. These are the skills our students will take forward as leaders of the future.
Our students’ achievements today are a tribute to their enthusiastic imaginations, their diligence, and their unwavering commitment in the face of challenges. Their success is also due to the tremendous effort and remarkable guidance provided by their mentors and our faculty and staff across the campus who support and engage these students along their journey. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who work with these incredible students and help them reach their goals.
I welcome you and encourage you to enjoy the enlightenment you will receive today, listening to and learning from our remarkable and inspiring students.
Welcome to URCAD,
Katharine H. Cole, Ph.D.
Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
4/3/2024