Retriever Believer (noun):
A person who supports UMBC’s mission and values through service, giving, volunteering, and engaging within the community. A supporter of all things black and gold and a champion for Grit & Greatness. Everyone can be a Retriever Believer including students, staff, faculty, alumni, parents, friends, and pets!
Meet Bentley Corbett-Wilson ’17, M.A.T. ’20
he/him/his
Las Vegas, NV
What is one of your favorite memories at UMBC?
One of my favorite memories was performing in the orchestra the Firebird, Freeman, and Fireworks event for UMBCs 50th anniversary, along with all the other events that happened during that year!
Why do you feel it is important to give back to UMBC?
Giving back to UMBC is important to me because someone else’s gift helped pushed me to become the person I am today, and I’m all about paying it forward! I give to the Music Department and various departments within Student Affairs that were a significant part of my UMBC journey.
What have you been up to since graduating?
I am currently the band teacher at Lake Elkhorn MS in Howard County, MD. I continue to stay involved with UMBC in a few different ways. I serve as the Events and Engagement Officer on the Chapter of Young Alumni Board, as the UMBC Athletic Bands Director, and as the Chapter Advisor for the UMBC chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. I’ve also done a lot of traveling and have made quite a few random connections across the country dimply by even mentioning UMBC!
What’s a fun fact you want the UMBC Community to know about?
I love music! I composed a song for my band students to play virtually during the pandemic! I’ve also performed with various honors ensembles in Carnegie Hall (twice!), in China, and in Austria!
How Does Bentley Support UMBC?
Pep Band
As a student, I was in the Down and Dirty Dawg Band and I’m now the Director of Athletic Bands. This group performs at Men’s and Women’s Basketball Games, Homecoming celebrations, ribbon cuttings, and more.
Music Department
I’m a teacher and band director thanks to the faculty at UMBC who shaped me to be an educator. I give back to the Music Department to ensure they are able to continue creating future music educators.
Campus Life
From Student Government Association President to Student Events Board Event Programmer, I was involved throughout campus. Supporting Campus Life helps students have the same incredible experience I was able to have.
Meet Poushali Banerjee ’23
they/them/theirs
Ellicott City, MD
Health Administration and Policy Program
Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar
What is one of your favorite memories from UMBC?
My favorite memory from UMBC was winning the American Mock Trial National Championship Tournament with our Mock Trial team! It felt so great seeing mine and my teammates’ hard work pay off. It was so cool seeing a public school like UMBC going head to head with big names such as Yale or Tufts University and still coming out victorious. This memory showed me that even as a student from a local public university, I can achieve my dreams wherever I go after receiving my undergraduate degree.
Why do you love UMBC?
I love UMBC because it’s a community I feel proud to belong in. I’ve met my closest friends, found new hobbies, and became a better student in the past 3 years I’ve been going here for! I love walking into a building and seeing my friends mingling at the Commons or studying at the library. I also love that I’ve been able to continue my violin career by taking private lessons and participating in UMBC’s Symphony Orchestra. Ultimately, I love UMBC because I can have a successful social life while balancing my academics.
What’s a fun fact you want the UMBC Community to know about?
My favorite spot on campus is the library pond! I’m in my third year at UMBC now, but I still take pictures of it whenever I’m walking past it! The best way to end a study session at the library is to walk past the pond and pretend I’m in a coming-of-age film.
Become a Retriever Believer.
Let’s explore every angle…
reach together…
and extend beyond.