Terrapin Pride Day
February 9, 2009
Terrapin Pride Day is an annual event for students, faculty, alumni, and all supporters of our great university to show their Maryland pride. College Park Scholars has always taken great pride in supporting the University's Terrapin Pride Day. Many of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni make this annual trip to Annapolis to share this day with our state's elected officials. This day is about making our voices heard and being recognized for being the great flagship university that we are.
Terrapin Pride Day allows participants to connect with state legislators to highlight the university's accomplishments and ensure our forward momentum. Help us build support for our flagship institution by rallying in Annapolis and help us Maintain the Momentum!
Past Trips:
February 19, 2008
Students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of the university showed their terp spirit as they visited Annapolis on February 19, 2008 for this year’s Terrapin Pride Day. Sharing the day with our state’s elected officials, attendees of this event voiced their regard for our institution by lobbying for higher education. This year, Terrapin Pride Day allowed participants to connect with state legislators to highlight the university's accomplishments and to ensure our forward momentum. The event was held in the Miller Senate Building and the essence of the rally signaled the importance of supporting higher education, particularly the University of Maryland, College Park because it serves as a flagship institution in the state’s education system. Those who spoke included Master of Ceremonies, Danita Nias, University of Maryland President Mote, Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker Mike Busch, and the presidents of the Student Government Association and the Graduate Student Government Association. The energy, enthusiasm and support generated by the event served as a reminder of the terrapin pride that inspires the endeavors of such a university. Go Terps!
February 20, 2007
This year's Terrapin Pride Day was held on Tuesday, Feburary 20, 2007 in Annapolis, Maryland,
where all kinds of Maryland supporters came out to show their pride for this great University.
Highlights of the day included hearing from exciting speakers such as: Master of Ceremonies,
Danita Nias, University of Maryland President Mote, Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker
Mike Busch, women's basketball coach Brenda Frese, and SGA president, Emma Simson. The most
important topic of the day was showing support for Governor O'Malley's proposed tuition freeze,
which President Mote felt very confident about. Brenda Frese certainly had a lot to cheer
about with her National Championship Women's Basketball Team, and her speech seemed to be a
crowd favorite. All of the speakers had great things to say about the University of Maryland,
and the speeches followed with an enthusiastic "Go Terps!" from the crowd. Legislators,
alumni, faculty, students, and friends of the University of Maryland were all there to "Cheer
the Turtle" and it was once again a successful day for Maryland Terrapins!
February 14, 2006
This year's Terrapin Pride Day was held on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2006 and was a great
success. Over 100 Terps came out to show their love for Maryland, and the event was filled with
about 500 supporters overall. The highlights of the day included hearing from Governor Robert
Ehrlich, Senate President Mike Miller, Speaker Mike Busch, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Deborah Yow, and SGA President Andrew Rose, and of course Testudo was on hand to help the crowd
"Cheer the Turtle". All of the speakers were filled with pride for their flagship university and
were extremely enthusiastic about its future. The event closed with a surprise birthday cake and
all of the participants singing a big Happy Birthday to the 150-year-old University of Maryland.
Be sure to join us next year as we continue to show our Terrapin Pride!
February 15, 2005
This year close to fifty Scholars students, faculty, staff and alumni ventured to Annapolis, MD
to show their Terrapin Pride and support of higher education. Before the formal reception started
President Mote testified before the General Assembly about the great things that were happening in
College Park and how important it was that the University be able to "maintain the momentum." The
highlight of the event was being able to hear Governor Robert H. Ehrlich, Jr. speak at the
reception as well as Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker Busch. After the reception many
students visited their legislator's offices in the Senate and House buildings and spoke in
support of the University and about other issues of importance to them. Again, Scholars led the
charge in showing their Terrapin Pride!
February 10, 2004
For another year, College Park Scholars joined the University of Maryland community to show
support for higher education for the Eighth Annual Terrapin Pride Day. On February 10, 2004,
Maryland students, faculty, staff and alumni traveled to Annapolis and met with state legislators
to lobby in support of the continued affordability and quality of public higher education. The day
featured several speakers, including Head Football Coach Ralph Friedgen, University President Dr.
Dan Mote, and Maryland Speaker of the House Michael Busch. Scholars students carried the day,
making up almost half of all in attendance. Participants were then able to visit their
legislators' offices to voice concerns, taking an active role in the democratic process.
March 4, 2003
Threats of budget cuts and tuition increases were made a reality throughout the 2002-2003 academic
year. The state legislature was faced with its most drastic budget crisis to date and it was
paramount that the University of Maryland show their pride to fight increased cuts that would
affect the quality higher education in College Park. College Park Scholars rose to the occasion
with close to 200 students attending the seventh annual Terrapin Pride Day. Members of the
University community including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends traveled to Annapolis
to show their Terrapin Pride. Students in attendance had a chance to connect with their
legislators and be active participants in the democratic process.
Federal Semester at the University of Maryland
The Federal Semester gives students a close look at the formation of federal policy in Washington. Beginning with a seminar, students will learn about the creation and application of federal policy in a topical area. Using this seminar as the cornerstone for the program- and two additional courses- students will take the knowledge they gain in the classroom and apply it through a policy internship in the federal government or a related organization.
Learn about Federal Policy and then get involved for yourself. The Fall 2006 program will focus on health policy, an issue that affects us all. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply but space is limited - so don't wait.
To learn more and apply go to: http://www.federalsemester.umd.edu
Relevant Links
The University's Terrapin Pride Day Site
UM Career Center Internship Information
Locate and Contact your MD State Representatives
UM/GVPT Internship Program Information
Maryland Department of Transportation Fellows Internship Program
Governor's Summer Intern Program
Maryland General Assembly Internship Program
Legislative Intern Program for College Students
Maryland State Archives Internship
Maryland House of Delegates Website
For more information about Terrapin Pride Day and other civic engagement programs within College Park Scholars please contact:
Greig Stewart
Executive Director
College Park Scholars
1125 Cumberland Hall
gstewart@umd.edu
