M A Y 2 0 1 1

Col lege Park Scholars

Community Newsletter

DEAR SCHOLARS COMMUNITY, The end of the academic year has snuck up on us, the weather has finally warmed up and finals are beginning. Many Scholars are finishing up their first year in college, and needless to say, we have seen them significantly grow since they first entered our halls a year ago. Other Scholars alumni are preparing for graduation, leaving college life for jobs or graduate school. There is no doubt that they will take their experiences from Scholars with them on life’s journey.

Looking back, we have had an amazing year here at College Park Scholars. For the first time ever, we have raised more than $3,000 at our annual “Step up to Bat for Kids” Charity Softball Tournament. The fundraising effort by our students, faculty and staff was truly extraordinary, and their hard work is going to help some great children’s charities.

Students were able to show off their academic skills at the 15th annual Academic Showcase. Presenting on their individual and team projects, students highlighted their impressive internships, research, study abroad and service-learning projects to faculty, staff, and students across campus.

Scholars traveled far distances this year, touching down in the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Australia, and Belize – and that is just to name a few! We also can’t forget the domestic trips, including the foray up to the Big Apple for Scholars in New York.

The end of this semester also marks a farewell to the Advocates for Children program. Advocates has been a part of College Park Scholars since 1995, and has surely left its impression on Scholars. It was an Advocates sophomore, who began our

charity softball tournament in 1997. Lakeland STARs, a tutoring program that works with children in the local community, was started by Advocates back in 1996. We are sad to see the Advocates program go, but its legacy lives on in Scholars.

We look forward to welcoming our next class of Scholars to the Cambridge Community in August. Have a happy and healthy summer, and we’ll see you at Service Day in a few months! Sincerely, Peter TartaglioneUndergraduate Communications Director

Tabetha Hohneke Mwita has contributed greatly to the success of the Lakeland STARs tutoring program over the past seven years. Scholars will be sad to see her leave at the end of May.

Serving as the Coordinator for Community Involvement, Mwita has connected University of Maryland students with 1st through 6th grade students from Paint Branch Elementary

School for tutoring and mentoring every week.

Mwita has worked with more than 450 tutors and has created a positive experience for both the tutors and the elementary school students.

“Tabetha came and her passion for it was amazing,” said Vince Fillah, a 2006 graduate from the University of Maryland who participated in STARs all four

years. “She was definitely a big inspiration for me and really motivated everyone towards greater involvement in STARs. It made her such a great role model.”

Sarah Willie, a junior and the Student Program

Coordinator for Lakeland STARS, has worked with Mwita for two years and agrees with Fillah.

“She has never been just a boss to me. She’s always been more of a mentor, someone who I knew I could go to talk to,” said Willie. “She puts a lot of heart into everything she does. It’s because of her that STARs is what it is today. She’s a big reason why tutors and kids keep coming back to the program.”

Mwita will be sorely missed by College Park Scholars. The administration, faculty and program staff, as well as all of the current and former Lakeland STARs mentors and students wish her all the best in the future.

Thank You, Tabetha Mwita

Vince Fillah, an alumnus of the Advocates for Children program, knew that after graduation he wanted to continue his community involvement through social entrepreneurship. Fillah has translated his community-based experience in Scholars into running his own business.

Now, only five years after graduating, Fillah runs his own barbershop in Olney, Md. “I opened the barbershop less than six months after I graduated,” Fillah recalls. “It was my long-term goal, I didn’t know if it was possible. But, I worked all through college.In my junior

year, I made the choice to start putting all the pieces together.”

Fillah says that his devotion to the community and his passion for connecting with people stems from his time in the Advocates program and Lakeland STARs, a tutoring program started by Advocates in 1996. “I did the Lakeland STARs program for all four years. The first year I became a tutor and I fell in love with it.”

As a business major, Fillah said STARs was a great way to experience a change of scenery. “Every week in college you get so caught up in work. Everything is booked,” he said.

“Doing Lakeland STARs really brings you back into reality. You work with kids and they give you a break, it’s really cool. Working with kids puts another perspective back in your head.”

Fillah says the tight-knit community of Scholars was one of his favorite parts of life at Maryland.

“One thing I loved about Scholars is that it gave the small feel to college,” said Fillah. “You get to Maryland and everybody’s a number, but Scholars brings a tight group together.”

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: VINCE F ILLAH

Did You Know?

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AWARDED ITS FIRST DEGREES ON JULY

11, 1862

Heather Bartholomew may be leaving College Park Scholars to begin the next chapter of her life, but that doesn’t mean that her imprint on Scholars will not stay with us forever.

Bartholomew, the Communications Coordinator, oversees all of the communications messages of Scholars, and works on the recruiting and admissions process. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2009, earning a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and a Bachelors of Arts in Government and Politics. and received her citation from Media, Self, & Society in 2007. She is finishing up her Master of Public Policy at Maryland, with specializations in social policy and management & leadership.

Bartholomew is an embodiment of what makes working for Scholars so great. She has been a part of Scholars since she entered the university, so she knows what it is like to maximize the experience.  Always eager to help students or greet you with a smile, Bartholomew turns a stuffy office into a lively one just by walking through the door. She invigorates her co-workers with her enthusiasm and her original ideas. It is easy to say that someone made a difference, but to actually see it in her work

and people’s experiences is another thing.

Freshman Graham Bennie, the undergraduate communications coordinator, worked for Bartholomew this past year. He values the professional guidance and mentoring he gained while working for her. “It’s really great to have someone around that you know you can always go to if you have questions or if you need help with something,” said Bennie.

“It is really valuable to have had someone like her working for Scholars. She really is going to be missed when she leaves.”

Bartholomew, who was recently named into the prestigious Presidential

Management Fellows program, will be taking her talents to the Department of Homeland Security, where she is sure to have the same impact there that she had on Scholars.

Heather Goodbye

More than 480 Scholars presented their practicum experiences at the 15th annual Academic Showcase. On May 6, 2011, students, families, faculty, and staff packed the Grand Ballroom of the Stamp Student Union to learn about Scholars’ research projects, internships, service-learning, and study abroad experiences.

“More than ever, I am seeing the power of College Park Scholars,” Dean of Undergraduate Studies Donna Hamilton announced to the crowd.

Marla McIntosh, professor in the Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture, has judged numerous science fairs. McIntosh called the showcase a success. “The Showcase demonstrates how Scholars students have been able to take advantage of the university’s ideal location for great professional and scientific internships,” she said.

Science and Global Change Scholar Madeline Mateo was one student who took advantage of the university’s prime location to land an internship with the National Institute of Drug Abuse, a

branch of the National Institute of Health. “I take a lot of science classes that tell you about the scientific method, but you never really see it in practice until you actually go somewhere and really use it,” she said.

McIntosh was also impressed with the wide variety of topics covered by Scholars. “As you go from program to program, you are truly able to appreciate the topics outside your discipline. The diversity of the subjects was amazing,” she said.

International Studies Scholar Mark Megaw turned one of his passions into a topic for research. He analyzed the historical accuracy of war films. “It really helped me to think outside of the box; to learn how I can take

something I really enjoy, use them as educational tools, and concoct research of my own,” Megaw said.

Talking about their research of internships is great practice for describing their Scholars experience to future employers.

College Park Scholars Executive Director Greig Stewart said, “Its also great preparation for students considering departmental honors in their junior or senior years.”

“I think the hallmark for Scholars is integrated learning,” Stewart said. “This Showcase demonstrates how students put their classroom learning into practice.”

Academic Showcase

The Advocates for Children program has been an integral part of both College Park Scholars and the surrounding community for more than 15 years. Inaugurated in 1995, the program has focused on both academics and service, impacting countless Scholars during their time in the program and into their futures. Advocates has also impacted the lives of children all across the world through the Annual “Step Up to Bat for Kids” Charity Softball Tournament, which was started by an Advocates student in 1997. It has helped the education of children in the local community through the Lakeland STARs program, which was started by then Advocates Director Al Gardner in 1996.

Jim DeGeorge, who has been with the Advocates program for the past five years, and currently serves as Faculty Director of the program, believes that the amazing part of the Advocates program is what it gives to the community and also what it gives back to its students.

“Over a two-year period we served as a springboard for lots of students who come in and want to reach out to kids and the community,” said DeGeorge. He also believes that the program is important in showing students “that they have the potential to be leaders and positive change-agents in whatever field they’re in.”

DeGeorge always stressed to students how easy it is to be involved. “There is an opportunity for students to engage themselves in the same kind of service as we’ve done through Advocates,” he said. With a significant number of partnerships in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area, DeGeorge would love to see continued connection to the university.

Although Advocates will see its last class of students receive their citations this fall, the sentiment left behind, the commitment to give back to society, and the dedication to advocate for children and families will continue to define Advocates alumni for many years to come.

A Thankful Farewell to Advocates for Children

Advocates students meet with Maryland Senate President Mike Miller.

SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT RAISES OVER $3 ,000On May 7, the 14th annual “Step up to Bat for Kids” Charity Softball Tournament brought together teams from each program for some fun-filled softball. Scholars programs raised more than $3,100 combined, the most money ever raised for the Tournament.  Life Sciences won the Tournament, edging out Science, Technology, and Society in the finals. Media, Self, and Society took home third place.

Each program fundraises and hosts events to raise money for a charity of their choice. Global Public Health won the fundraising race and raised the most money per person this year. This hallmark event in College Park Scholars raised money for charities such as UNICEF, Sesame Workshop, Polaris Project, and the St. Jude Children's Research Center, among many others.

The success of the tournament had as much to do with fundraising as it did with the program’s excitement.

“The Tournament was a great success, everybody was really thrilled to play,” said Christina Buckless, coordinator of the event. “There was a lot of enthusiasm and excitement, by both the Scholars students and the program faculty. It was also great to see them really go above and beyond with their fundraising.”

For the opening ceremony, Maryland mascot Testudo threw out the first pitch. Soon after that, games got underway and you could hear chants of “SDU, SDU” and “Let’s go Arts” ring out across the Engineering fields. The 12 teams were

spread across three fields; each team guaranteed to play at least three games.  The camaraderie and community on display at the tournament embodies what the essence of Scholars is all about.

“Not only was it fun, but I think it was a great team-building experience,” said Caleb Larson, an Environment, Technology, and Economy Scholar who played in the tournament. “It was great for our program, everyone being here, cheering and having fun.” The 14th annual Tournament helped out some great charities

and also brought the Scholars programs closer together.

“It was a really great day,” said Buckless. “Everyone had fun and it could not have gone better.”

Farewell, Marybeth DrechslerIf you attended the Scholars Semi-Formal dance, participated in the peer-mentoring program or Student Advisory Board, you have witnessed Marybeth Drechsler’s work first-hand. Even those Scholars who have not had the opportunity to work directly with Drechsler have unknowingly been touched by her many contributions to the Scholars community.

In July 2006, Drechsler joined the Scholars community as a graduate assistant and the Coordinator for Student Leadership.

Her work with the Student Advisory Board is just one example of how Drechsler has been able to share her talents with Scholars. From implementing a committee structure to creating a recruitment program, Drechsler has made vital contributions to the Board that

will last for years to come.

“She has an amazing abilityto bring what she knows fromher own academic learning and scholarship, and put it into practice with students on an everyday basis,” said Associate Director Martha Baer Wilmes, Drechsler’s supervisor.

One contribution, the annual Semi-Formal Dance, has become a Scholars tradition. Drechsler worked with a passionate group of Scholars in order to turn their idea into a reality.

The Peer Mentor Initiative, now implemented in five Scholars programs, began when a student approached Drechsler with theidea. With Drechsler’s guidance,

the program was able to develop into the success it is today.

“The students that work with her really look up to her as a mentor and also as somebody that they just really enjoy being with...and that’s hard to do,” said Baer Wilmes. “She is thoughtful and intentional about the work that she’s doing, but she also makes it look easy.”

Drechsler plans to continue pursuing her Ph.D. in College Student Personnel in the Department of Counseling and Personnel Services.

The Arts program hosted its annual Arts Festival as part of Maryland Day on April 30. Over the course of the spring semester, both freshmen and sophomores in the program collaborate to create a variety of works of art including paintings, photographs and films, while also producing live theatre,

dance, story-telling, musical and vocal performances.

This year, visitors to the Cambridge Community Center (CCC) before the Festival were treated to a glimpse of the hard work of the Arts program. Students painted a mural on a CCC hallway with representations of each Scholars

program and the community of Scholars.

Offering a great chance for Arts students to focus on experiential learning, the Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their efforts. Congratulations to everyone in the Arts program for a wonderful Festival.

The Arts Festival

Program Spotlight: Science, Technology and Society

Science and technology shape the way we live our lives each and every day. Whether it is the creation of new medicine or the latest developments in computer programs, there is no doubt that science and technology play a vital role in each of our lives.

The Science, Technology, and Society program gives students the opportunity to explore the interaction and the intersection between all three of these components.

“It’s interdisciplinary. Students can often get stuck in their technical backgrounds, but in STS, students look all of the different components of science, like policy makers and public reception,” said STS Assistant Director Chrystal George Mwangi.

George Mwangi says Scholars learn practical and applicable

skills for entering a career in the sciences. Through guest speakers and experiential learning trips, students get to have a first-hand look at science and technology in action. “It’s really helpful when we get guest speakers to come in and talk about how they’ve applied their knowledge to further science and technology,” said freshman STS Scholar Matt Leyden.

For Leyden, these interactive experiences have helped him to understand what exactly goes on in a research lab. “It’s kind of like getting a look inside the process,” he said.

“Normally, as freshmen and

sophomores, students are taking foundational math classes, but Scholars are learning skills that are applicable to the field,” said George Mwangi.

This year, STS Scholars visited Walter Reed Army Hospital, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of American History.

In addition to various field trips, students volunteered in the surrounding community. Last semester, Leyden and fellow Scholars worked a science booth on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. With the help of a smoke cannon, Scholars gave middle school and high school students demonstrations in physics.

Before the spring semester comes to a close, STS Scholars will have the chance to reunite with faculty and alumni for the annual STS picnic.

Scholars will bid farewell to a longtime Scholars supporter, Jim DeGeorge who has worked with the Advocates for Children program for the past 5 years. DeGeorge currently serves as Director of the program, where he equips students with the skills to advocate for a better life for children in the community and the nation.

DeGeorge was recently recognized at the Scholars Faculty/Staff Appreciation Reception 2011 for his dedication to his students. Below is just some of the praise that students had for him.

DeGeorge “accompanied us to our service projects, showed enthusiasm for every aspect of advocacy, and made sure to show everyone in our Scholars program that there is a way to advocate for children through any major or job interest,” said one student.

Another student stated, “Jim always gives everything to the students in the Advocates program, and took a special interest in each and every one of us. Without Jim I know I would not have become as passionate about children's issues as I am now.”

“As an alum of the Advocates for Children Program, I can honestly say no one made the experience more worthwhile than Mr. Jim De George. Jim's dedication to both his students and the plights ofchildren is inspiring. Now that the program is coming to a close, I think it is due time that the efforts and compassion of Jim DeGeorge be recognized,” said another student’s recommendation.

DeGeorge received his master’s degree from the University of Maryland, in 1970. Throughout his career, he has served as a consultant to many schools and school systems. He has been most interested in providing experiential learning opportunities that coincide with academic classroom instruction.

Scholars thanks DeGeorge for his service and dedication to the program and his students. We wish him the best in the future.

Farewell to Advocates Director Jim DeGeorge

International Studies Scholars Alumni Emily Burke and Iman Ng have been awarded $20,000 Boren Scholarships for the 2011-2012 year.

The Boren Scholarship is a highly competitive Department of Defense award for language study in regions critical to US national interests. The program targets applicants with a strong interest in using their skills and knowledge in government service.

Emily Burke, a senior double majoring in Government and History, has been awarded the scholarship for an academic year of language study and coursework in Turkey. While in Turkey Emily will study at Bogazici University, Istanbul.

“Scholars definitely helped me start my college career as I was able to talk about the International Studies program at my first job interviews as a

freshman, which definitely set me apart from other students,” said Burke.

Ng is a senior majoring in Government and Politics and Arabic Studies. Ng was awarded the scholarship for intensive study of Arabic in Syria for 2011-12.

Burke and Ng received their citations from International Studies in 2009.

Two IS Alumni Awarded Boren Scholarships

CONTRIBUTORS - November 2009

Peter Tartaglione Undergraduate Communications DirectorJulie Brontman Undergraduate Publications Coordinator

Shane Connolly College Park Scholars Videographer

Kevin Baxter Assistant Director

For More Information, please visit any of the following websites:

College Park Scholars

Undergraduate Studies

College Park Scholars Alumni Association

UM Office of Parent & Family Affairs

Questions, comments, ideas, or suggestions?

Please send us an email

CONTRIBUTORS - MAY 2011

Pete Tartaglione Undergraduate Communications Director

Shane Connolly College Park Scholars Videographer

Graham Bennie Undergraduate Communications Coordinator

Devin Miller Undergraduate Communications Coordinator

Heather Bartholomew Coordinator for Communications

Brent Hernandez Assistant Director

Supporting Scholars

If you have an interest in providing financial support to College Park Scholars, please contact Greig Stewart, or choose one of the following options:

1. You may send a gift by check. In this case, please make the check out to UMCP Foundation and indicate the area you wish to support, if any, in your check's memo field, next to 'College Park Scholars'. Gifts made by check without a notation beyond the program name will support College Park Scholars general fund.

2. You may make a gift online, by visiting the Scholars giving website. Click on Investment to view the Scholars Funds available for contribution.

3. If you are a University faculty or staff member, you may use payroll deduction as the method of payment, and you may indicate your preferred donation amount and the period during which the deductions should begin and end. Please contact Greig Stewart if you are interested in this option.

On behalf of all of us in the College Park Scholars community, thank you for the consideration of your support.