NEWS RELEASE University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 Office: 301-405-4621 www.umd.

edu For more information: Caroline Niski 630-902-1224 cniski@umd.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 12, 2012

University of Maryland Minority Enrollment Increases 8.7 Percent

The University of Maryland is proud to announce the minority enrollment has increased 8.7 percent this fall. The University has taken a significant step forward, said President Wallace D. Loh. Our many efforts of recent years are beginning to produce the desired results.

Within the past five years, minority enrollment has increased from 1,540 to 1,899 students. The following is a breakdown of the minority distribution: American Indian students: 10.74 percent African American students: 35.7 percent Asian students: 29.75 percent Hispanic students: 23.8 percent

University officials are hopeful these statistics will appeal to prospective students. The increase in minority students is a gratifying sight for many students, faculty and administrators who have worked for it, Chancellor William Kirwan said. We still have more to do. This is only the beginning. ###

About the University of Maryland, College Park The University of Maryland, College Park is a public research university founded in 1856 located just outside of Washington, D.C. It has recently been named the number five best value public colleges in America and is recognized for student body diversity. The university offers a range of majors and has an enrollment of more than 37,000 students and participates in NCAA Division I athletics. For more information visit www.umd.edu. ###

NEWS RELEASE University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 Office: 301-405-4621 www.umd.edu For more information: Caroline Niski 630-902-1224 cniski@umd.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 12, 2012

University of Maryland Professor Analyzes Americas Test Addiction

F. Allan Hanson reviews consequences of American testing in new book Students may disagree with this statement, but Americans are addicted to testing. Testing across the United States reveals every aspect of a persons life. From IQ to social habits, there is not much the different types of tests miss. Allen Hanson, professor of anthropology at the University of Maryland, has recently written a book titled Testing Testing: Social Consequences of the Examined Life. It examines the hidden consequences of testing. The American preoccupation with testing has resulted in a panoply of techniques dedicated to scanning, probing, weighing, perusing and recording every last detail of our personal traits and life experiences, Hanson said.

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Hanson analyzes the use for common tests. Employers, educational administrators, insurance firms and law enforcement agencies base their personnel choices off the information received from tests. These decisions can change an individuals life. Employers frequently use drug and integrity testing to monitor their employees. He recommends integrity tests be eliminated. Hindering futures While he agrees that random drug testing is the only way to reveal drug use among athletic competition, Hanson argued that many tests predict behavior and assign people to different expectations. These specific tests are harmful to society rather than helpful. People are examined and evaluated less for qualifications or knowledge they already possess than for what the test results can predict about future actions or potential behavior, Hanson said. Some colleges are already taking a step in the right direction by eliminating standardized testing from their admissions forms. He further evaluates the future of Americas dependency on tests. The publication can be purchased either at local bookstores or by contacting Denise Cicourel at UC Press, 2120 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720. For more information on the book, visit www.ucpress.org

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SEO: Former athlete Tim Strachan succeeds through disabling injury Fifth quarter Former Maryland football recruit uses life-changing injury to power a successful professional career
By: Caroline Niski When Tim Strachan rushed to hospital a few weeks before his last high school football season started, he was hoping information doctors were telling him was a dream. Strachan learned his recent diving accident left him a paraplegic, which meant his football playing days were over. He planned to continue his dreams of playing in college, but Strachan faced trials and tribulations he never expected. Instead of focusing on football, girls, and school, he found
Strachan had plans to continue football in college. Photo source: twitter.com

himself battling the mental and physical struggles that come along with spinal cord injuries. Strachan did not feel prepared to handle a life-changing

incident and felt lost and confused. I remember the shock of initially hearing about my circumstances after the injury, which moved into a state of depression, Strachan said. However, with the help of family and faith I was able to understand that life moves on and I needed to move on with it to the best of my abilities, rather than allow my disabilities to prevent me from doing so.

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Turning a corner Strachan received tutoring while spending more than five months in several D.C. and Maryland medical facilities. He returned for his final semester at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md., and graduated with honors. Before the accident, Strachan was one of the highest recruited quarterbacks in the country. He garnered attention from Division I football programs nationwide that were eager to offer him a full scholarship. However, Penn State and the University of Maryland were the only schools that decided to honor their initial offers after the accident. Making the transition When the hospital released Strachan, he attracted attention from local and national media. Programs were interested in his story because he was such a highly touted football recruit. The exposure Strachan experienced allowed his media comfort to expand. Strachan attended the University of Maryland to stay close to home and remained a part of the Terrapin Football program. He assisted the quarterback coach upon arrival in College Park. Shortly after, Johnny Holliday approached him to be a color analyst for Maryland Sports Radio Network during games. Because of the media experience after his accident, he figured he would give it a try. (more)

I knew what it took to be

the best I could be at playing football, so I took those same principles and work ethic and have applied them to everything I have tried to accomplish in my life - Tim Strachan

A new perspective Although Strachan planned to pursue a psychology degree, the field of communication started to appeal to him. When I suffered my spinal cord injury and could no longer play football, much less walk or be physically independent, I knew that I needed to recommit myself to academics put myself in the best position to earn a living as a person with a disability, Strachan said. Strachan had always been a strong student, but his main goal was to achieve success on the field. He says his injury motivated him to achieve academic success. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1999 with a 3.6 GPA. He continued his education at Georgetown University Law Center and
Strachan has broadcast Maryland football games for 17 years. Photo source: nrhrehab.org

graduated in 2004. After graduating, he worked on Capitol Hill as

Counsel for the United States Senate Committee. He is currently an attorney advisor at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Strachan has continued broadcasting with Johnny Holliday and Maryland Sports Radio Network for 17 years. His work doesnt stop there. Strachans main passion is motivational speaking. He travels throughout the country where he shares his story of adversity and success despite a major life-changing injury.

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Heather Arianna, Strachans academic advisor at the University of Maryland, says that he is truly an inspiring person. He has a lot of insight and is really an amazing person considering what he has overcome and worked through. He always finds a way to look at the glass full, Arianna said. Striving for success People can relate to hard times, even though many have not experienced something as drastic as what Strachan endured. Many people are derailed from their initial dreams. Some people are able to fight through the adversity, while others consistently struggle. Strachan preaches about the mindset we must embody. Not everyone reaches their dreams, but if you try and give it all you got you will end up where you need to be in life, he said.

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SEO: How to be professionally successful Finding success Strachan educates students how to pursue a career
By: Caroline Niski Tim Strachan changed his lifestyle and adjusted to a new career without football. The absence of sports allowed him to focus on a degree in the field of Communication during college. Strachan has gained knowledge throughout his career about the different sectors of communication, which he shares with students nationwide. Schools around the country call Strachan to speak to students. He has many tips and suggestions, which can help students. Strachan suggests not limiting yourself to one field. When I was in high school I remember wondering what I was going to pursue, but never settled on anything, he says. Strachan suggests exploring many options while in college. He offers tips for new graduates seeking employment. Do whatever it takes to try and distinguish yourself from the
Strachan travels around the country to speak. Photo source: umterps.com

rest of the people that are in your same position. Maximize your skills through education and experience, equally, he says. He claims most of the important career surfing skills are built creating professional relationships. Strachan also says to never settle for less. I have a philosophy that if you chase your dreams, no matter how far fetched they may be, whether you reach that dream or not you will maximize your potential to be successful, he says. ###