Call for Submissions to the Wisdom Institute Newsletter
The newsletter comes out twice a year, in September and February, with submissions due in July and
December. Please contribute to one of the regular features, which now Post-UMBC Stories. For examples, see
previous issues in the Newsletter Archives on the Wisdom Institute website.
Descriptions and Guidelines for Submission of Features
UMBC Stories. Length: Up to 700 words. Have you had a particularly noteworthy experience at UMBC? Are there
people you would like to recognize for making a difference to UMBC or you personally?
Armchair Travel. Length: up to 600 words. Have you been somewhere exciting or interesting, whether locally,
nationally, or internationally? Convey your experience through text and photos.
Book Talks & More. Length: up to 400 words. Have you read a good book or watched a great movie or play?
Share your reflections, along with a photo of the book cover, if applicable, and a complete citation.
Creative Endeavors. Length: up to 400 words. Have you worked on a creative project (for example, sewing,
painting, woodworking, poetry, or musical performance)? Submit descriptions and photos of the project.
Scholar’s Corner. Length: up to 1000 words. Have you done some interesting research or scholarship prior to or
after retirement that you would like to highlight for a general audience?
Post-UMBC Stories. Length: up to 200 words. Each issue will have a specific theme highlighting what you have
been doing in retirement, such as volunteering at a local charity, writing a book, providing service to a
professional organization, starting a new business, etc. The theme for the Fall 2026 issue is contributing to
UMBC in retirement.
Members Corner. Length: up to 75 words. Would you like to share updates with your fellow retirees about how
you have been spending your time or about a memorable experience? News about other retirees can be shared
with their permission or that of a family member. Submit a brief paragraph, along with one or two small photos,
and include the following information as you would like it to appear in your entry: Name; Role(s) at UMBC; and Retirement year.
Submission Process
The Newsletter Committee begins planning the next issue shortly after the previous one has been sent out, so it
is important to let us know of your interest in contributing an article no later than June for the fall issue and
November for the spring issue. Articles on special topics likely to be of interest to Wisdom Institute members
will also be considered. Please contact Newsletter co-chair Linda Baker (baker@umbc.edu) with questions or
ideas for a submission.
Once you’ve consulted with a committee member, submissions can be made through the provided Google Docs
form on the website or via email. Photos are welcome, including one of yourself. You will be asked to give a
caption for each photo, along with a photo credit. The submission should include a descriptive title. Include a
brief biographical statement of up to 50 words; this will appear at the end of the story in italics. All submissions
will be reviewed prior to publication by members of the Newsletter Committee, and feedback will be sent to the
authors if revisions are recommended.
For Fall 2026, initial drafts are due by July 17 and final versions are due by August 3. At this time we
particularly seek Post-UMBC Stories and Members Corner entries.