UMES: Thunderin' Hawks Pep Band debuts

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- The dream of loyal members of the UMES family has come to fruition with the creation of the Thunderin’ Hawks Pep Band — a credit to a collaborative effort by alumni and campus partners.

“I want to see school spirit increased,” pep band director Simba Leonard said. “I’m envisioning that the pep band members will have fun, which will ... excite the community and create a lot of energy on campus.”

The idea started at the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference basketball tournament, where UMES was the lone university of 11 participating without a pep band. A steering committee of alumni and representatives of UMES' departments of athletics, student activities and alumni affairs was formed to guide discussions about starting a musical group to boost school spirit.

“Under the leadership and tenacity of alumni Delphine Lee, Class of ’70, and Jesse Williams, Class of ’62, approximately $75,000 has been raised ... toward the goal of $100,000 to re-establish a first-class pep band at UMES,” said Kimberly Dumpson, J.D., director of Alumni Affairs.

“For all of us, it is music to our ears,” Dumpson said with a smile.

The new 30-piece pep band debuts at the university’s Hawk Hysteria, Friday, Oct. 15. A night of activities begins at 6 p.m. in the Hytche Athletic Center.

For more information, or to contribute to the Thunderin’ Hawks Pep Band, contact Dumpson at 410-651-7686.