Scholars News Desk
College Park Scholars Named as Merrill Presidential Scholars
November 3, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. The Office of Undergraduate Studies announced the twenty-five students chosen as the 2005 Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars this week, four of whom are College Park Scholars alumni. The Merrill Presidential Scholars program aims to recognize the University of Maryland's most successful seniors and their designated University faculty and K-12 teachers that mentored them along the way . Scholarships are awarded in the K-12 teacher's name to a new, first-year student matriculating into the University of Maryland, from that teacher's high school or school district.
Tatiana Delgado of Media, Self, and Society, Mark Hiew of Public Leadership, Jenna Pitts of International Studies, and Joanne Stewart of Environmental Studies were each recognized at a special luncheon in the Stamp Student Union's Grand Ballroom on Friday, November 3 rd .
The Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars awards are some of the most prestigious awards at College Park.. According to the program's Website, nominations come from each of Maryland's colleges and schools. Given that there are over 5,500 seniors, this is one of the most competitive awards at the University. Even with this level of competition, it comes as no surprise to the faculty in the College Park Scholars Program that several of their students earned this commendable honor.
Dr. Nina Harris, Director of College Park Scholars in Public Leadership, recalls Mark Hiew as a student that "has taken advantage of every opportunity layed before him at Maryland." For his Scholars capstone experience, Mark studied abroad and provided Harris with creative observations in his weekly journal, "all with a sense of humor." Mark honored Associate Professor John Pease from the Department of Sociology, and Ms. Angela Sugg, Mark's European and American History teacher from Mount Hebron High School in Ellicott City, Md.
Dr. Wendy Whittemore, Associate Director of College Park Scholars in Environmental Studies, says of Joanna Stewart, "Joanna's an outstanding student who's been winning scholarships and awards from Frederick County agricultural groups ever since she got here." Whittemore claims that she wouldn't be surprised if Joanna came back to become a full-time faculty member here at the University of Maryland. Joanna honored Associate Professor William Ray Sticklin from the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, and Ms. Janet Stein, her chemistry teacher at Walkersville High School in Walkersville, Md.,
Dr. Dorith Grant-Wisdom, Director of College Park Scholars in International Studies, calls Jenna Pitts "a great example of the kind of student who chooses to go beyond the norm." The International Studies Program is extremely proud of this exceptional and committed scholar," said Grant-Wisdom. Jenna honored her instructor, Eugene Robinson from the Department of Comparative Literature, and Mr. Michael Druce, her high school Advanced Placement English teacher from Soldotna High School, in Soldotna, Alaska.
Ken Joseph, Associate Director of College Park Scholars in Media, Self, and Society, echoes the observations among his fellow faculty members in his observations of Tatiana Delgado, when he says, "I am not at all surprised that Tatyana earned this honor. She has continued to make positive contributions to the community in a variety of ways." Jenna honored Professor Lee Thornton from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, and Mr. John Goldman, her broadcast journalism teacher at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md.
