Scholars News Desk
Scholars Honored for Leadership and Academic Achievement
May 4, 2009
May is the month for campuses to publicly acknowledge the achievements of students. At the University’s 28th Annual Awards Banquet, the following College Park Scholars were honored for their accomplishments:
Anna Kowalzcyk was recognized as one of the Top-Ten Freshmen by Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. A first-year student in the Scholars Media, Self and Society program, Anna is a communication major and is the Membership Director for Student Entertainment Events. She serves as a Staff Writer for The Diamondback..
Troy Shuman was presented with the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award. A freshman Public Leadership Scholar, Troy is an Economics major and has worked on Baltimore’s Sandtown project with Habitat for Humanity. He is also active in UMD for Clean Energy.
Chelsea (C.J.) Rock received the Lorde-O’Leary Award for the member of the senior class who has contributed most significantly to the advancement of the LGBT community. A Spanish Language and Literature major with a certificate in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies, C.J. earned her American Cultures Scholars citation in 2007. She has been extensively involved in the Pride Alliance, with the Centreville Hall Council and has tutored English.
Constance (Connie) Iloh received the Mary McLeod Bethune Award, earned by the member of the senior class who has contributed most significantly to the advancement of the African-American community on campus. A Public Leadership Citation recipient in 2007, Connie is completing her Bachelor’s degree, with majors in Psychology and Communication. Connie has been a Resident Assistant, served as President of the Black Student Union and was an officer in the campus chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa.
Matthew Lyons received the William L. Thomas Student Government Association Award. A Public Leadership citation recipient in 2007, Matthew is a Government and Politics major. He has served in the SGA during his four years at Maryland.
Jessica Rindos received the Adele H. Stamp Memorial Award for outstanding service to the campus community. In 2007, Jessica completed her Scholars experience in Advocates for Children and is a senior in Physiology and Neurobiology, and Classical Literature. She has been active in the Stamp Student Union and has served as Co-chair of the Senior Council and President of the 2009 Class Council.
Araina Ford received the Nyumburu Cultural Center’s James Otis Williams Cultural Leadership Award. A 2007 Advocates for Children citation recipient, Araina is completing majors in Psychology and Philosophy. She is the President of SOUL and has volunteered overseas to help under-privileged children.
The Department of Resident Life identifies Resident Assistant of the Year Awards, for each of the six residential communities. This year, Advocates for Children Scholar Christine Kenny, received the Resident Assistant of the Year Award for the Denton Community. A Family Science major, Christine has been involved with Club Field Hockey and Omicron Delta Kappa.
Sarah Todd received the Meghan Price Scholarship Award for Leadership and Public Service. A Resident Assistant and Life Sciences citation recipient in 2007, Sarah is graduating this May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and a minor in Spanish Language and Literature.
Heather Williams received the Camille K. Rajpat Memorial Award as the Outstanding Member of the University’s Student Judiciary. A Public Leadership Citation recipient in 2007, this May Heather is completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and a minor in Philosophy.
In addition to Public Leadership’s Constance Iloh, one additional Media, Self and Society Scholar became a member of the Maryland Medallion Society. Meagan Baccinelli will earn her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism this May.
The Ceremony concluded with the awarding of the Wilson H. Elkins, H. C. Byrd, and Sally Sterling Byrd Awards. Members of the Maryland Medallion Society were finalists for these awards. Connie Iloh was awarded the Sally Sterling Byrd Award, recognizing the female student of the Senior Class who, during her collegiate career, most nearly typified the model citizen and contributed significantly to the general advancement of the interests of the University.
In addition to the above award recipients, the following Scholars were recognized as finalists:
Munaf Kachwala, a 2008 Life Sciences Scholar citation recipient, for the Kirwan Award.
Nina Rawtani, a 2007 Science, Technology and Society Scholar citation recipient, for the Vera Cruz-Kochiyama Award; and
Jamie Lok, a 2005 Media, Self and Society Citation Recipient, for the University of Maryland Graduate Student Distinguished Service Award.
The Office of Campus Programs (OCP) supports and complements the University's academic mission by enhancing the educational experience of students through exposure to, and participation in social, cultural, recreational, intellectual, and governance activities. Together with the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, OCP presents the leadership awards program annually. Images of these and other awardees are available through the Stamp Student Union’s Photo Archive.For more information on Lakeland STARS or this release, contact: Kevin Baxter at bax@umd.edu or 301-314-2777.
