Scholars News Desk
College Park Scholars Honored by Omicron Delta Kappa
December 9, 2005
Six College Park Scholars were among those inducted into the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) at Sunday's initiation ceremony held at the campus's Memorial Chapel. Established in 1927, ODK recognizes those who have attained a high standard of efficiency in five areas of collegiate activities -- Scholarship; Athletics; Campus or Community Service, Social, and Religious Activities, and Campus Government; Journalism, Speech, and the Mass Media; and the Creative and Performing Arts. The chapter strives for members' accomplishments to inspire others for similar achievement.
In addition to the induction ceremony, initiates and their families shared in a banquet in the Colony Ballroom of the Stamp Student Union. The following College Park Scholars were inducted:
Brian Lau, a 2004 citation recipient in Life Sciences, is majoring in biological sciences. A 2002 graduate of Paint Branch High School, Brian is the son of Carol and William Lau, of Silver Spring, Md.
Timothy Lee, a 2005 citation recipient in Science Discovery and the Universe, is majoring in aerospace engineering. A 2003 graduate of Damascus High School, Timothy is the son of Charles and Gabrielle Lee, of Gaithersburg, Md.
Alpana Mittal, a 2004 Business, Society and the Economy citation recipient, is an information systems major in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. A 2002 graduate of Montgomery Blair High School, Alpana is the daughter of Anu and Kumud Mittal, of Silver Spring, Md.
Diana Newsom, a 2005 Arts citation recipient, is majoring in biological sciences. A 2003 graduate of Norfolk Academy, Diana is the daughter of Charlotte and James Newsom, of Virginia Beach, VA.
Colleen Tucci, a 2004 citation recipient in Life Sciences, is majoring in psychology. A 2002 graduate of Hammond High School, Colleen is the daughter of Richard and Carol Tucci, of Columbia, Md.
Setareh Irene Vatandoost, a 2005 citation recipient in Advocates for Children, is majoring in anthropology. A 2003 gradute of Walt Whitman High School, Irene is the daughter of Hossein and Claudia Vatandoost, of Bethesda, Md.
The Sigma Circle invites juniors, seniors and graduate students to apply. Additionally, faculty and staff, alumni, and members of the community are selected on the basis of outstanding accomplishments. The Sigma Circle is proud of its campus history. It originated the Annual Awards Banquet; awards an annual $1000 scholarship to an incoming freshman who was a high school leader; selects the "Top Ten Freshmen" and the "Sophomore Leader of the Year;" and with the help of alumni donations, constructed the ODK Fountain on McKeldin Mall, which was built to create a lasting monument to leadership and to those who have contributed so much to the campus. Dedicated in April, 1997, all of the names of those people involved with ODK since 1927 are engraved on the granite sides of the ODK Fountain.
