AACC Asks: ‘Do You See Drones in Your Future?’

A new series of noncredit classes that focus on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) will begin soon at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC). Participants can learn how UAS might fit with their business or organization, or their hobby plans, and the regulations and steps involved. UAS are used in agriculture, by first responders, for various geospatial tasks, for business expansion and in other industries.

The basics are discussed in the course, “Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Systems” (CTU 303). Additionally, through a partnership with the Academy for Unmanned Vehicles, AACC is offering “Expanding Your Business with UAS” (CTU 310).

Through a partnership with Sinclair College of Dayton, Ohio, AACC also will offer six half-day courses presented by Dr. Andrew Shepherd, director of UAS at Sinclair: “Introduction to UAS in Precision Agriculture” (CTU 304); “Introduction to Geospatial Information for UAS” (CTU 305); “Introduction to UAS and the Law” (CTU 306); “Introduction to the Current State of UAS Standards and Regulations” (CTU 307); “Introduction to UAS for First Responder Leadership” (CTU 308); and “Introduction to UAS Data Analytics” (CTU 309).

The Sinclair College National UAS Training and Certification Center features cutting-edge technology, custom training and applied research capabilities. Sinclair’s curriculum focuses on real-world applications of emerging UAS and sensor technologies through classroom and online instruction, simulation and hands-on vehicle operations.

For scheduling information and a link to register for any or all of the courses, visit www.aacc.edu/it/uas.cfm or call 410-777-1333.

HCPSS Ranked Maryland’s Best School System

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has been ranked the top public school district in the state of Maryland for 2016, according to a report recently released by Niche.com, an education and community analysis firm.

Niche.com scored school districts based on factors that included state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, student and parent reviews, expert insights and other parameters.

Individual HCPSS schools also did well on the Niche.com rankings of the best public high schools in Maryland and in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Eight HCPSS high schools are listed among the top 25 in the state, and all 12 of them are ranked within the top 30 on the local list. Notably, the top six public high schools in the Baltimore Metropolitan region are HCPSS high schools.

The complete school district rankings can be viewed online at https://k12.niche.com/rankings/public-school-districts/best-overall/s/maryland.

River Hill High Senior Joins Army All-American Marching Band

River Hill High School Senior Mitchell Evans has been selected to join 125 student musicians from around the country to perform with the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.

Evans was welcomed by members of the All-American Marching Band during a special recognition event held on Friday, Nov. 20, at River Hill High School in Clarksville.

He will be one of three musicians representing Maryland to take part in an exclusive performance at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January 2016.

Loyola’s Getz Appointed to Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore Board

Kathleen A. Getz, dean of Loyola University Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business and Management, was appointed to the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore’s board of directors. The Economic Alliance’s board works to advance business and economic development in the region.

“It’s a privilege to join a group of committed community leaders at the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore. Together, we’ll work to do the most good for the most people in Baltimore, making the region a world-class market in which to live and work,” Getz said.

Getz has more than 24 years of experience in business education. Prior to joining Sellinger, she served as the dean of the Michael R. Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago. She is actively engaged with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and has been a speaker for the Department of State International Visitors Program and the Washington Board of Trade.

AACC Architecture Students Earn State and Regional Design Honors

Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) architecture students won five state awards from the Maryland chapter of the American Association of Architects (AIA), surpassing the number of awards won by any other undergraduate college or university. With the three regional awards won earlier, this year’s student competitors had one of the best showings for the architecture program.

The state win for the design category went to the team of Michelle Sowder of Annapolis and George Betty of Baltimore. That team also won a second-place award at the regional level for the same design.

The first-place award at the state level for hand delineation went to Dan Lorenzana of Glen Burnie for his rendering of Vatican City. He also won a People’s Choice award at the state banquet for his entry.

A special Juror’s Citation went to the team of Dimitrios Zoulis of Linthicum and Sam Scardefield of Severna Park. That team was honored with the first-place award at the regional level, and Scardefield also won a second award for one of his individual projects.

PathSensors Awarded Three-Year Contract From DoD

The University of Maryland BioPark-based PathSensors Inc. has been awarded a three-year contract by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The contract is a one-year base contract with two one-year options. PathSensors will continue to supply CANARY reagents and service for the fast and accurate detection of potentially harmful pathogens.

The privately-held biotech company, headquartered in Baltimore, has developed and commercialized technology enabling the highly reliable identification of airborne and liquid-based pathogens. Government organizations and industry currently use these systems in biosecurity, mail screening, food processing, agriculture and environmental testing.

“We have been a trusted affiliate of U.S. DoD, and we are pleased to continue this collaboration over the next three years,” said PathSensors President Ted Olsen. “We are proud to be a key component in the U.S. DoD detection of biological terrorism threats.”

HCC Launches Initiative to Become an All-Steinway School

Following the performance of Steinway artists Anderson & Roe Piano Duo at the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center on Oct. 11, Howard Community College (HCC) President Kathleen Hetherington announced an initiative for the college to become an All-Steinway School.

With this designation, HCC would join the ranks of 179 institutions that currently have chosen to equip their teaching, practice and performance spaces with Steinway pianos because of their unrivaled sound and responsiveness.

More than 98% of the world’s active concert pianists, including Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe, of the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo, have chosen to own and perform on Steinway pianos exclusively.

“HCC’s music program is already distinguished with accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music, and we expect that becoming an All-Steinway School will further position us to attract and retain high-caliber students, faculty and guest artists,” said Hetherington. “This initiative is about providing current and future generations with a legacy of excellence.”

The HCC Educational Foundation (HCCEF) is providing a variety of named-piano gift opportunities and donor recognition societies to help the college in its efforts by raising funds for the purchase and maintenance of 27 pianos to ensure all music students learn and practice on Steinway pianos. For details, visit HCCEF’s All-Steinway Initiative web page at howardcc.edu/steinway, or call 443-518-1970.

AACC President Honored

Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) President Dr. Dawn Lindsay received an Excellence in Academic Leadership award on Nov. 20 at the Inaugural Entrepreneurs Gala and Awards night held to benefit the nonprofit charity Women of Global Change.

The event, organized by VIPeVENTS Concierge, was initiated as a way to bring together community and business leaders to network and work toward expanding opportunities for business growth. VIPeVENTS Concierge CEO Larry White said another aim of the evening was to honor people who are making a difference in their fields.

In addition to Lindsay, nine other community leaders were recognized, four others for excellence in their fields and five as Entrepreneur of the Year in specific fields.

Keynote speaker was Wes Adams, state’s attorney for Anne Arundel County. Program hosts were Charley Crowson, news anchor for ABC Channel 2 News, and Dr. Natalie Forest, CEO of Space International.