Daily Word: UMBC President on 60 Minutes

Daily Word: UMBC President on 60 Minutes

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New for the 2011-2012 seasons, the America East Dail Word, a collaboration between AmericaEast.com and AExtra, will recaps the previous day's games and on goings on our nine campuses and provide links to previews, recaps, features and exclusive coverage.

The infamous tick-tock, synonymous with CBS Sunday night programming, brought viewers into a story this past weekend that had an America East feel to it.

60 Minutes ran a feature on UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski on Sunday detailing his efforts, and the students’ efforts, to bring UMBC’s math, science and engineering programs to national prominence. The story begins with a brief illustration of Hrabowski’s childhood in Alabama before breaking down how his upbringing impacted his life as an educator. You can watch the feature, here.

UMBC was named the top up and coming university by the U.S. News and World Report Best College rankings and lists back in September. The institution received the same recognition last year as well. That is due in large part to its expansive scientific research programs and opportunities like the Meyerhoff Scholar program.

“[The concept] is that we can create a program that focuses on both excellence and inclusiveness,” Hrabowski told 60 Minutes reporter Byron Pitts. The Meyerhoff program brings students from all backgrounds to campus that are excellent in math, science and engineering.

While the story focused on the growth of the sciences at UMBC, the theme of support permeated throughout evidenced by the shots of Hrabowski genuinely interacting with students in the hallways and all over campus.

That support and community, Hrabowksi urges, is what will lead UMBC to the top.

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