PRESS RELEASE


Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars Program Honors Top Students and Their Mentors


Nov. 1, 2024 – The University of Maryland’s outstanding graduating seniors are celebrating their mentors, expressing gratitude for the extra time they spent outside the classroom guiding, inspiring and encouraging them.

At a ceremony this afternoon, the 18 students selected as Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars will share recollections about important K-12 teachers and UMD professors–from meaningful pieces of advice to the lasting impressions made by quoting Jiminy Cricket during class.

The program, named for the university supporter and Washington-area publisher, highlights the importance of mentorship and provides stipends to the teachers and faculty.

“The late Philip Merrill left a lasting legacy by emphasizing the profound value of mentorship,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “It is truly rewarding to celebrate student achievements alongside the individuals who helped make their success possible.”

This year’s scholars are committed to a variety of causes and career goals, ranging from aerospace engineering to teaching. One has been researching pathogenic bacteria; another is developing an accessibility device. One founded a student political publication; another started a skin cancer awareness group.

“The accomplishments of these scholars reflect the lasting impact of excellent teaching and mentorship in driving exceptional student outcomes,” said William A. Cohen, Associate Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Studies. “It’s moving to hear how these top students describe the impact that UMD faculty have had on them, as well as the vital role their teachers from elementary, middle and high school have played in their success.”

In addition to recalling lighter moments––one teacher was famous for rebranding biology exams “celebrations of learning”––scholars also shared memories of working alongside professors as teaching assistants and research fellows.

Biology Professor Kimberly Paczolt was honored as a mentor to two Scholars this year. Several teachers and faculty members have been recognized by students in previous years.

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For more information:
Laura Cech at 443-286-6402 or lcech@umd.edu
Photos are available.

The Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars for 2024-25 are:

    College of Arts & Humanities

  • Zachary Braunstein
    English and Philosophy, Politics, & Economics
    Teacher Mentor: Iria Pico, Arnold O. Beckman High School, Irvine, Calif.
    Faculty Mentor: Ross Angelella, Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House

  • Nikita Kale
    International Business and Philosophy, Politics, & Economics
    Teacher Mentor: Kristen Reier, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Randy Ontiveros, Department of English

    • College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

  • Yuri Kim
    Hearing and Speech Sciences
    Teacher Mentor: Bryan Goehring, Takoma Park Middle School, Takoma Park, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Sarah Sohns, Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences

  • Anna Petersen
    Psychology and Criminology & Criminal Justice
    Teacher Mentor: Amber Perkins, Paint Branch High School, Burtonsville, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Tracy Tomlinson, Department of Psychology

  • Tabitha Tamulevich
    Geographical Sciences and Sociology
    Teacher Mentor: Heather Evans, Perry Hall High School, Nottingham, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Meyer Kestnbaum, Department of Sociology

    • Robert H. Smith School of Business

  • Abigail Manga
    Information Systems and Marketing
    Teacher Mentor: Turner McManus, Oxon Hill High School, Oxon Hill, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: David Ashley, Department of Marketing

  • Adelina Seck
    Information Systems and Operations Management & Business Analytics
    Teacher Mentor: Emily Roberts*, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Roy Thomason, Department of Management and Organization
    *Ms. Roberts was named a Teacher Mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2019-20.

  • Grayson Vintz
    Finance and Accounting
    Teacher Mentor: Debra Shannon, River Hill High School, Clarksville, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Sarah Kroncke*, Department of Finance
    *Professor Kronke was named a Faculty Mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2015-16.

    • College of Computer, Mathematical, & Natural Sciences

  • Lora Abuobaid
    Chemistry
    Teacher Mentor: Avi Silber, Northwest High School, Germantown, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Paczolt*, Department of Biology
    *Professor Paczolt was named a Faculty Mentor by two 2024-25 Merrill Scholars.

  • Shawn Edelstein
    Statistics and Public Policy
    Teacher Mentor: Barbara Felicciardi, P.S. 169 Bay Terrace School, Queens, N.Y.
    Faculty Mentor: Jiehong Lou, School of Public Policy, Center for Global Sustainability

  • Neha Sripathi
    Biological Sciences
    Teacher Mentor: Kathleen Morrow, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Va.
    Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Paczolt*, Department of Biology
    *Professor Paczolt was named a Faculty Mentor by two 2024-25 Merrill Scholars.

    A. James Clark School of Engineering

  • Cole Hershman
    Aerospace Engineering
    Teacher Mentor: Veronica Murphy, Wilson Area High School, Easton, Pa.
    Faculty Mentor: Benjamin Silbaugh, Department of Aerospace Engineering

  • Owen Mank
    Electrical Engineering
    Teacher Mentor: Robert Davis, Colonel Richardson High School, Federalsburg, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Denny Gulick, Department of Mathematics

    • College of Information

  • Jessica Doan
    Information Science
    Teacher Mentor: David Kraft, Colonel Zadok Magruder High School, Derwood, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Edward Bernat*, Department of Psychology
    *Professor Bernat was named a Faculty Mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2016-17.

    • Philip Merrill College of Journalism

  • Marwa Barakat
    Journalism
    Teacher Mentor: Meredith Lang, Northwest High School, Germantown, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Christoph Mergerson, Philip Merrill College of Journalism

    • School of Public Health

  • Caitlyn Goldberg
    Family Science and Sociology
    Teacher Mentor: Robert Spivey, Glenelg High School, Glenelg, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Kerry Tripp, Department of Family Science

  • Avery Moe
    Kinesiology
    Teacher Mentor: Andrea Dickie, Hammond High School, Columbia, Md.
    Faculty Mentor: Ross Miller, Department of Kinesiology


    • Individual Studies Program

  • Danielle London
    Psychology and Health Science, Communication & Marketing
    Teacher Mentor: Leigh Felix, Eastern Regional High School, Voorhees Township, N.J.
    Faculty Mentor: Sylvette La Touche-Howard*, School of Public Health
    *Professor La Touche-Howard was named a Faculty Mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2016-17.