Universities at Shady Grove Recognizes 25 Outstanding Seniors At 9th Annual Student Achievement and Leadership Awards

Rockville, Md.—The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) today honored 25 graduating seniors for their outstanding academic achievement, drive to excel outside of the classroom, and commitment to serving the community. The students, who are enrolled in various undergraduate programs offered at USG by its nine partner universities, accepted their awards at the USG 9th Annual Student Achievement and Leadership Breakfast.

“These 25 students are among the best and brightest at USG and represent the next generation of leaders in our region,” said Dr. Stewart Edelstein, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the University System of Maryland and Executive Director of USG. “USG is proud to serve these outstanding students, who understand the value of both academic success and community engagement. We know they are going to have bright futures ahead of them.”

Outstanding seniors from undergraduate degree programs offered at USG, who have 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 three 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 2012-2013 Undergraduate Student Academic Achievement awardees and the respective universities and degree programs they are representing include:

• Lobelande Lintiso of Takoma Park, Md. - Salisbury University; Respiratory Therapy
• Luiza Danciu of Germantown, Md. - Towson University; Early Childhood Education
• Batya Toso of Frederick, Md. - Towson University; Elementary Education/Special Education
• Janelle Peters of Damascus, Md. - University of Baltimore; Health Systems Management
• Brandon Van Haren of Gaithersburg, Md. - University of Baltimore; Simulation and Digital Entertainment
• Allison Branchaw of Derwood, Md. - University of Maryland, Baltimore; School of Nursing
• Susan Philpott of Gaithersburg, Md. - University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); History
• Hannah Whalen of Boyds, Md. - University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); Political Science
• Briana Garrett of Germantown, Md. - University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); Psychology
• Atefeh Fathnezhad of Germantown, Md. - University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); Social Work
• Theresa Price of Silver Spring, Md. - University of Maryland, College Park; Biological Sciences
• Leilani Fryauff of Gaithersburg, Md. - University of Maryland, College Park; Communication
• Jeffrey Nugent of Gaithersburg, Md. - University of Maryland, College Park; Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Selene Tituana of Takoma Park, Md. - University of Maryland, College Park; Public Health Science
• Brandy Davis of Frederick, Md. - University of Maryland, College Park; R.H. Smith School of Business – Accounting
• Aaron Elson of Glen Burnie, Md. - University of Maryland, College Park; R.H. Smith School of Business – Management with a Specialization in Entrepreneurship
• Caren Andrango of Laurel, Md. - University of Maryland, College Park; R.H. Smith School of Business – International Business
• Solomon Molla of Lanham, Md. - University of Maryland, College Park; R.H. Smith School of Business – Marketing
• Shaddy Aridi of Gaithersburg, Md. - University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES); Construction Management Technology
• Yongkyoung Park of Potomac, Md. - University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES); Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Ruth Baldwin of Rockville, Md. - University of Maryland University College (UMUC); Business Administration
• Ivan Carrera of Olney, Md. - University of Maryland University College; Information Systems Management

USG’s 2012-2013 Student Leadership and Service Awardees are:

• Jennifer Cossette of Rockville, Md. - Towson University; Elementary Education/Special Education
• Aboubacar Bah of Burtonsville, Md. - University of Maryland, College Park; R.H. Smith School of Business – Accounting
• Priyanka Raj of Derwood, Md. - University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); Political Science

The USG Student Achievement and Leadership Breakfast was sponsored by Adventist Healthcare, AFCEA International, CareFirstBlue Cross Blue Shield, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company, Comcast, EagleBank, El Tiempo Latino, GlobalNet Services, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-
Atlantic States, Lerch,Early & Brewer, Lockheed Martin, MedImmune, Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Northrop Grumman, Pepco, Sodexo, State Farm, The Gazette. Students and staff from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hotel and Restaurant Management program at USG provided catering services.

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  75 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Montgomery County. Established in 2000, USG serves more than 4000 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 ; Universityof 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.

# # #