ALEXANDER PYLES
Class: Senior
Major: English
Hometown: Rising Sun, Maryland
Why Alex Likes His School So Much
"professors are insightful, and extremely interested in the subject (and the student!)"
The best classes I've taken so far are Literary Journalism and the Advance Journalism Seminar with Christopher Corbett have been fantastic. History and Theory of Media Studies with Dr. Jason Loviglio, and Shakespeare with Dr. Michelle Osherow also rank at the top of my list. All three professors are insightful, and extremely interested in the subject (and the student!)
"competing in the intramural sports program at UMBC is probably my favorite pastime"
I'm a big sports guy, so attending athletic events is near the top of the list. But competing in the intramural sports program at UMBC is probably my favorite pastime. The flag football team I play on won a regional tournament and earned the right to represent UMBC in national competition in Dallas, TX. The athletic department here helped to fund our trip, and the experience was phenomenal.
"My work there combined with the help of my professors led me to three internships with the Baltimore Sun, and made me the recipient of a prestigious Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association Reese Cleghorn internship and the winner of an NCAA Freedom Forum Sports Journalism scholarship."
I am the editor of the student paper, The Retriever Weekly, and have a blast working for the student media. My work there combined with the help of my professors led me to three internships with the Baltimore Sun, and made me the recipient of a prestigious Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association Reese Cleghorn internship and the winner of an NCAA Freedom Forum Sports Journalism scholarship. I'm also active with Residential Life, working as a Maintenance Assistant to better the residential campus community. I am also an avid participant in UMBC's intramural sports program.
"I've been to Johns Hopkins' Homewood Field on numerous occasions, and visit Towson often to hang out with some friends on that side of the city."
Why Alex Likes Going to School in Baltimore
I grew up in Maryland and have been coming to Baltimore for most of my life, first for the Orioles, and now also for the Ravens. I'm a huge sports fan, and rooting for those teams made me feel a connection to the city even though I lived more than an hour away. When I got to UMBC, that connection to the area only increased.
"The seemingly limitless number of things to do."
Whether you want to eat at a fine restaurant or a dive with some character, somewhere within the beltway you can find what you're looking for.
"Baltimore is an interesting town, and a little exploration will lead to some fascinating discoveries."
There's plenty to do if you just look around. There's more to Charm City than the Inner Harbor and Fells Point -- but both locations aren't anything to sneeze at.
"There are tons of interesting spots downtown and in the suburbs that oftentimes fly under the radar."
The Inner Harbor and Fells Point are great, but look beyond those two hotspots as well. Get to know veteran students who know the area, and do some exploration.
"There's plenty to do within minutes, no matter which Baltimore school you attend. "
I would absolutely recommend coming to school in Baltimore to a friend. There's plenty to do within minutes, no matter which Baltimore school you attend.
"...it is seemingly always growing and improving, both downtown and in the suburbs"
People would be surprised to know it's also fairly racially diverse, especially at UMBC.
"For my 21st birthday, a group of 20 friends of mine went to the DuClaw Brewing Company in Fells Point, and had a blast eating dinner on the water."
Combine that with Friday night student nights at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and there are plenty of memories of great times spent with large groups of friends around the city.
Alex's Favorites of Baltimore:
Nightspot - Fells Point is always lively in the evenings, and a great college atmosphere.
Live Music Venue - Ram's Head is great downtown, very intimate.
Movie Theater - Muvico Egyptian 24 at Arundel Mills Mall
CD Store - Anywhere in Catonsville, a Baltimore suburb, which may have more music stores than residents.
Extracurricular or co-curricular activities - The student newspaper and intramural sports
Museum or Cultural Attraction - The visionary art museum is fantastic. For the sports fan, Babe Ruth's childhood home is a must-see.
Restaurant - Anywhere in Little Italy
Coffee Shop - I know it's a chain, but I love Panera Bread. Plenty of locations around the city.
Bar - Judge's Bench in Ellicott City. Live music every night! Ellicott Mills also has great beer. Plus, Max's on Broadway in Fell's is a great spot I've just discovered!
Place to relax outdoors - Patapsco State Park
Place to spend a Sunday afternoon - Mount Vernon
Mall or Shopping Venue - The Gallery at the Inner Harbor
Place to see Sports - The Camden Yards Sports Complex
Place to spend Saturday afternoon - Exploring downtown
Way to Spend a Saturday night - Federal Hill or Fells Point
