How Is UMB Like Switzerland?
Dear UMB Community,
Two Saturdays ago around 6:30 a.m., I was driving to a flea market when I heard an episode of the “Travel with Rick Steves” podcast about visiting Switzerland. Suzan G. LeVine, a former U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and Steves talked about what makes the Swiss unique. They talked about a sense of pride, that “the village is all cleaned up and decorated as if an important visitor is coming tomorrow. And it might just be you walking down the street.” LeVine countered by saying, “Well, you are the important visitor. And it’s also not just for others, it’s for themselves. There’s an interesting balance of individual responsibility and communal engagement.” They went on to describe the Swiss ethos of enjoying life and doing their part. And then they talked about all the wonderful cultural activities that citizens enjoy and support. When I finished the podcast, I didn’t book a flight to Switzerland; instead, it made me think about UMB.
The idea of “individual responsibility and communal engagement” is very much in line with how I see UMB. We are students, faculty, and staff who are part of an amazing ecosystem in downtown Baltimore. The University brings together the brightest and the best to work on a shared mission to improve the human condition and serve the public good. UMB houses important historical sites such as Westminster Hall and Burying Ground, where poet Edgar Allen Poe is buried, and Davidge Hall, the oldest building in the United States continuously used for medical education and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We are grateful to be in proximity to cultural sites like the newly renovated Lexington Market and CFG Bank Arena, Camden Yards, and the Hippodrome and Everyman theaters, as well as local museums such as the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum and the B&O Railroad Museum. There are many small businesses, restaurants, cafes, as well as public art within walking distance. We continue to celebrate the talented artists at UMB with a third outdoor gallery space at Pearl Street Garage. Good things are happening all around, and UMB is an exciting place to be.
I’m energized by our efforts to make everyone who walks around UMB feel a sense of pride, that they belong, and that this is their community. To that end, over the past few months, UMB has hired additional staff who serve as community ambassadors and help with cleanliness and grounds maintenance. The UMB Police Department has hired additional officers to expand the reach of our Community Outreach and Support Team program and to deploy additional officers for patrols. Our police department also has increased its presence at the Hippodrome, Everyman Theatre, and Lexington Market to encourage a sense of security for those who visit the downtown Baltimore area for entertainment.
I hope that, like me, you are energized and excited to take advantage of all that surrounds UMB. The more that we support businesses, go to shows, and enjoy art and public spaces, the more the sense of vibrancy will grow. Could you imagine if every day had the energy and enthusiasm of an Orioles home game? If you aren’t already heading to Lexington Market for your morning cup of coffee or lunch, I invite you to explore and support the delicious food and wonderful goods from local vendors there. Take a walk around UMB with a colleague, knowing that you are at home here and you too play a role in the success of this great part of this great city.
So, while we may not have the Swiss Alps nearby, UMB has a lot going for it. This is your University! Take pride in being a part of it and a part of the West Baltimore community. I know I do!
Sincerely,
Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
President
