Here, There; Everywhere!

UMD Chancellor Charles Nies talks to students at the end of the Chancellor in the Wild series. Photo by William Bauer.

UMD Chancellor Charles Nies wrapped up his Chancellor in the Wild series on Sept. 24.  Nies got to explore the “really great outdoor spaces that the campus has to offer,” and activate them in a new way for students. Hopefully more students are now aware of these locations and can utilize them. 

The Chancellor got the idea from his daughter, who sends him a picture of the President at her school anytime they are found “in the wild.” Nies decided that being a Chancellor in the Wild, showing up and being available to the student population, was important. As a student-driven research university, the students hold priority. Plus, the Chancellor got to hang out in the fresh air.

From Ordean Court Terrance, to the Pollinator Garden, to Bagley and the Greenhouse Quad, the Chancellor moved around, and at different times of the day. “It’s not the same group of students that are coming to all of them, and it gives me a chance to interact with a broad range of the students here at the University,” Nies said.

This isn’t the end of his outreach. Keep an eye out for more pop-up events, including an October chef tasting in Kirby. Nies will be making a Salmon tostada, a fish taco. He also plans to do more in the Wild events, potentially at indoor locations in the spring semester. This series and future events provide an “exciting way for me to make sure that I’m staying in touch and connected to the voice of our students,” Chancellor Nies said.