College Park Scholars Founders' Circle Grows to Eight
May 4, 2006
College Park, Md. As the 10th Annual Academic Showcase concludes the first decade of College Park Scholars, the Scholars Founders Circle grows its membership to eight. William E. (Brit) Kirwan, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, accepted the invitation extended by Ira Berlin, Distinguished Professor of History and Chair of the Scholars Faculty Advisory Council.
Both Kirwan and Berlin were instrumental in the formation of College Park Scholars; Kirwan was the President of the College Park campus and Berlin was serving as the Dean for Undergraduate Studies. Said Berlin of the Circle's expansion, "Brit Kirwan was there at the beginning, not merely cheering on the founding of College Park Scholars, but providing the essential resources for the creation of an exciting, new living-learning initiative. Now, more than ten years and thousands of students later, he has given College Park Scholars another boost by joining the Scholars Founders' Circle." In 1998, Kirwan left College Park for Columbus, Ohio, to serve as the 12th President of The Ohio State University. During his four years at Columbus before returning to Maryland to serve as the University System's Chancellor, Kirwan established a Scholars program at Ohio State.
Executive Director Greig Stewart established the Circle in 2004. "Members of the Founders' Circle are instrumental in advising me about the Program's future. They've lived its history and believe in its potential," said Stewart.
The Circle also underscores what College Park Scholars values, through sponsoring the Ira Berlin Writing Award, the Katherine McAdams Leadership Award, the Peres Award for Study Abroad, the Beth and John Pattison Award for Creativity, the Nancy and Ira Shapiro Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award and the Tri-Star Award. Students completing their Scholars Citation at the end of their sophomore year are eligible for these awards. They are presented at the Scholars Citation Ceremony held annually during Family Weekend.
For more information on College Park Scholars or this release, contact: Kevin Baxter, bax@umd.edu, 301-314-2777
