UMBC's fascination with chess began early in the campus history. A query was sent to The Retriever in October 1967 asking What can be done about organizing a chess club at UMBC?" By 1968, an intramural chess tournament was hosted by the Chess Club…
The first Spring Week (an early version of Quadmania) took place April 22- 29, 1967, and began with a rousing Saturday evening performance by the King of Soul," Otis Redding (1941-1967). The performance was for a semi-formal dance in Gym 1 and was…
Each Fall semester, UMBC holds an opening ceremony known as Convocation. Faculty, staff, and students are all invited to attend. The incoming freshman participate in a processional along Academic Row to the Retriever Activities Center (RAC) for the…
The Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award was established in 1988 to honor an alumnus or alumna who had achieved national recognition in his or her field. The first award was presented to Dr. Winston Griner ‘74, biological sciences, for his…
In 1986, UMBC commissioned alumna Paulette Raye ‘87, philosophy, to create a bronze-cast model of the Retriever for the school’s 20th anniversary. Raye worked in a studio at Towson University, using a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Nitty Gritty as…
UMBC celebrated the first Quadmania on Saturday September 19, 1981, and it has since become a treasured campus tradition. Part concert, part carnival, Quadmania has been UMBC’s main social event ever since for students, alumni, and the surrounding…
Places where students could socialize were limited during the early years of the campus. One popular location in 1971 was the Rathskeller, which was located in the basement of Hillcrest Building. The Ratt was a popular location that served alcohol on…
In 1970, the Office of Residential Life was created at UMBC. The university's first residence hall, called Dorm I but now known as Susquehanna Hall, also opened to students that year. Susquehanna was followed by the openings of Dorm II (Chesapeake…
In 1970, the Office of Residential Life was created at UMBC. The university's first residence hall, called Dorm I but now known as Susquehanna Hall, also opened to students that year. Susquehanna was followed by the openings of Dorm II (Chesapeake…