Hiram Whittle

01/17/1931 - 09/27/2021

Mr. Hiram Whittle was the first African American student to enter the University of Maryland at College Park. In 1949, he applied for admission as an engineering student and was denied admission due to his race. In 1951, Mr. Whittle was granted admission to the University of Maryland at College Park, after much persistence; several years of legal action; a petition to Baltimore City court; and assistance from the NAACP. As UMD’s first African American undergraduate student, Mr. Whittle pursued coursework in Engineering Mechanics and Drawing, Sociology, Government and Politics. He left the university in June 1952 without completing his degree. Mr. Hiram Whittle was awarded a UMD Honorary Degree in 2020.

Blessing Asuguo Mbang '99

07/05/1977 - 01/03/2022
 
Blessing Mbang began her academic career at UMD in 1995. She was a part of CMSE's 1st LSAMP Bridge that was sponsored by NSF. She was the first LSAMP Bridge cohort in the CMSE in 1995. She graduated in 1999 with a degree in Geology.
Michael L. Cherry '84; 1957 - 1985
Michael Cherry, a 1984 electrical engineering graduate of the University of Maryland, was killed in an automobile accident on October 29, 1985. Michael is remembered for his persistence, commitment to helping others, life, engineering, teaching, and tutoring, The Michael L. Cherry  Memorial Scholarship was created by the UMCP chapter of the Black Engineers Society, in conjunction with the Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering and Michael's family and friends. This scholarship supports active members in the Black Engineers Society in the A. James Clark School of Engineering.
Derrick Cobey '93

Derrick Cobey graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor's degree. He was a Vice President of Finance at Harmony Information Systems, starting in March 2008. He then began working at hCentive Inc in May 2016, becoming the General Manager and  Chief Product Officer. He left hCentive Inc in December of 2019. For his latest position, he was the Chief Technology Officer at Mediware's Human and Social Services Division.


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