Universities at Shady Grove Recognizes 25 Outstanding Seniors At 8th Annual Student Achievement and Leadership Awards

Universities at Shady Grove Recognizes 25 Outstanding Seniors At 8^th Annual Student Achievement and Leadership Awards  

Rockville, Md.—The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) honored 25 outstanding graduating seniors – including top academic students from each of the undergraduate programs offered at USG by various state universities – at its 8th Annual Student Achievement and Leadership Breakfast on Friday, April 13.

 “These 25 soon-to-be-graduating students represent the best and brightest among their peers within the USG community,” said Dr. Stewart Edelstein, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the University System of Maryland and Executive Director of USG. “We are so proud of each of them for their academic achievements and for their leadership, and we know they have bright futures ahead of them.”

One outstanding senior from each undergraduate program offered at USG who has demonstrated academic excellence received the Student Academic Achievement Award. Award recipients are selected on the basis of grade point average, participation in internships and honor societies, and contributions to their program of study. 

Student Leadership and Service Awards also were presented to four seniors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service and dedication to the Universities at Shady Grove and the community at large. These recipients were selected based on participation in extracurricular activities, community service and commitment to their fellow students.

The 2011-2012 Undergraduate Student Academic Achievement Awardees are:

•  Ravinder S. Arneja, II of Gaithersburg, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Political Science.
• Tetyana Bezbana of Rockville, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park; Robert H. Smith School of Business, International Business.
• Janina Maya Brugada of Washington, D.C. – Towson University, Early Childhood Education.
• Giselle Darlene Carillo of Frederick, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park; Robert H. Smith School of Business, Accounting.
• Vana Mari Derderian of Rockville, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park, Public Health.
• Kyle Ehret of Germantown, Md. – University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Construction Management Technology.
• Abdul Hafeez of Chesterfield, Md. – University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Hotel and Restaurant Management.
• Autaum Hollinger of Chevy Chase, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park, Communication.
• Scott Holman of Frederick, Md. – University of Baltimore, Simulation and Digital Entertainment.
• Melissa Ann Nelson of Annapolis, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park; Robert H. Smith School of Business, Marketing.
• Daniela Nogales of Germantown, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Psychology.
• Jon Carl Norris, II of Frederick, Md. – University of Baltimore, Health Systems Management.
• Darryl Maurice Parker, II of Gaithersburg, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park, Criminology & Criminal Justice.
• Emilija Milijkovic Renke of Chevy Chase, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park, Biological Sciences.
• Elba Rivas Retana of Silver Spring, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Political Science.
• Vena Sasu of Gaithersburg, Md. – University of Maryland University College (UMUC), Business Administration.
• Shannon Strube of Frederick, Md. – Towson University, Elementary and Special Education.
• Josephine Ta of Germantown, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Nursing.
• Torry Wannenwetsch of Queenstown, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park; Robert H. Smith School of Business, Management.
• David Weingrad of Gaithersburg, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), History.
• Selamawit Woldeargay of Silver Spring, Md. – Salisbury University, Respiratory Therapy.

USG’s 2011-2012 Student Leadership and Service Awardees are:

•  Zofia Kiosowska of North Potomac, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park, Public Health Science.
• Thulani Tickotsane of Silver Spring, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park; Robert H. Smith School of Business, Accounting.
• Katherine Toohey of Bowie, Md. – Towson University, Early Childhood Education.
• Mark Izben Daniel Williams of Rockville, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Psychology.

The Student Achievement and Leadership Breakfast was sponsored by Adventist HealthCare, AFCEA (Bethesda Chapter); The Beatty Companies; Comcast; EagleBank; El Tiempo Latino; The Gazette; Hilton Worldwide; Human Genome Sciences; Kaiser Permanente; Marriott International; MedImmune; Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union;  Northrop Grumman; Sodexo; Traville Village Center; and University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Students and staff from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hotel and Restaurant Management program at USG provided catering services.

Dr. Rohini Anand, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Diversity Officer at Sodexo, served as guest speaker for this year’s event.

About The Universities at Shady Grove

The Universities at Shady Grove is an innovative model for delivering top-quality college degree programs.  USG is not one university; instead it is a collaboration of nine leading public universities in Maryland offering more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Montgomery County. Established in 2000, USG serves more than 3,900 full- and part-time students.  Participating USG partner institutions include:  Bowie State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; University of Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County, University of Maryland College Park, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and University of Maryland University College.  More information on all of the undergraduate and graduate programs is available at www.shadygrove.umd.edu.