College Park Scholars Honored by Omicron Delta Kappa
May 8, 2007
College Park, Md. - Two College Park Scholars were among those inducted into the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) at the Sunday, April 29th 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, held in the Thomas Room of the Golf Course Clubhouse. Dr. Deborah Grandner, Director of Resident Life and member of the Sigma Circle, served as guest speaker. The following College Park Scholars were inducted at the ceremony:
Jesse C. Chen, a 2006 citation recipient in Business, Society and the Economy, is majoring in information systems at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. A 2003 graduate of Ocean Township High School, Jesse is the son of Daniel and Nancy Chen, of Oakhurst, NJ.
Leayne Christie Freeman, a 2006 citation recipient in Business, Society and the Economy, is majoring in English at the College of Arts and Humanities. A 2004 graduate of Pennsauken High School, Leayne is the daughter of Lawrence and Linda Freeman, of Pennsauken, NJ.
Each year, the Sigma Circle selects the top-ten freshmen that exemplify the values of Omicron Delta Kappa. Four of the top-ten freshmen are College Park Scholars:
Jessica Bermudez is enrolled in the College Park Scholars Environmental Studies program. A 2005 graduate of Montgomery Blair High School, Jessica is pursuing her degree at the A. James Clark School of Engineering in bioengineering.
Jenna Brager is enrolled in the College Park Scholars American Cultures program. A 2006 graduate of Towson High School, Jenna is pursuing her degree at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism in magazine news.
Ariel Gore is enrolled in the College Park Scholars American Cultures program. A 2004 graduate of Chicagoland Jewish High School, Ariel is pursuing his degree in government and politics in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Sterling Grimes is enrolled in the College Park Scholars International Studies program. A 2005 graduate of Oxon Hill High School, Sterling is pursuing his degree in government and politics in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
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.
For more information on this press release or on College Park Scholars, contact Kevin Baxter at (301) 314-1522, or bax@umd.edu. For more information about the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, consult the following URL: http://www.odk.umd.edu/.
