Scholars News Desk
Four College Park Scholars Named as Merrill Presidential Scholars
October 27, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Office of Undergraduate Studies announced the twenty-five students chosen as the 2009 Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars; four of the honorees are College Park Scholars Citation recipients, and one of the honored faculty mentors is a former Scholars faculty director.
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 teachers’ names, to a new, first-year student matriculating into the University of Maryland, from that teacher's high school or school district.
Alycia Baker, an early-childhood education major, engaged in a high school internship at Clearspring Elementary School, in Damascus, Md., with Ms. Debra Schwartz’s kindergarten class. Alycia chose Ms. Schwartz to honor as her K-12 Merrill mentor. Alycia also selected Associate Professor Brenda Jones Harden of the University of Maryland’ Department of Human Development in the College of Education, to be honored. Dr. Jones Harden is the past faculty director of the Scholars Advocates for Children program. A 2006 graduate of Damascus High School and a 2008 College Park Scholars Citation recipient in Advocates for Children, Alycia is the daughter of Warren and Terry Baker, of Damascus, Md.
Adrienne Beaudoin, a sociology major in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, honored Ms. Ruth Thompson, her ninth-grade English Teacher. Ms. Thompson teaches at Hopedale Junior-Senior High School, in Hopedale, Mass. Also honored by Adrienne was Dr. Linda Moghadam, Undergraduate Director in the University’s Department of Sociology. A 2008 College Park Scholars Citation recipient in International Studies, Adrienne is the daughter of Stephen and Marsha Beaudoin, of Hopedale, Mass.
Bonnie Dux, an elementary education major, chose to honor Ms. Lisa Narges of Woodfield Elementary School, in Gaithersburg, Md. Similar to Ms. Baker, Bonnie interned during her high school senior year. Ms. Narges was her intern supervisor. Also honored by Bonnie was Dr. Lisa Bote of the University’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education. A 2006 graduate of Damascus High School and a 2008 College Park Scholars Citation recipient in Advocates for Children, Bonnie is the daughter of Bill and Joan Dux, of Damascus, Md.
David McMichael, a dance major in the College of Arts and Humanities, chose to honor his high school Latin teacher for three years, Ms. Jill Alexander of Lower Merion High School, in Ardmore, Pa. Also honored by David was Alvin Mayes, Instructor in the Department of Dance. A 2006 graduate of Lower Merion High School and a 2008 College Park Scholars Citation recipient in the Arts, David is the son of Carol McMichael, of Merion, Pa.
The Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars awards are some of the most prestigious awards at College Park. Nominations are received 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. According to the College Park Scholars Executive Director Greig Stewart, “Even with this level of competition, it comes as no surprise to me and to the Scholars faculty that our students earn this commendable honor.”
For more information on this press release, contact Kevin Baxter at (301) 314-1522, or bax@umd.edu.
