The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) recognized 25 outstanding graduating seniors at its Seventh Annual Student Achievement and Leadership Breakfast on Friday, April 15. Awards were also presented to one faculty member and one staff member at USG for outstanding service to students. William Robertson, President and CEO of Adventist Healthcare, provided the event’s keynote address. His talk, Bouncing to Success, explained four ideas to live by in the workforce – integrity, civility, hard work, and service.

Hear the award winners discuss their achievements and plans for the future.

Student Achievement and Leadership Awards

One outstanding senior from each undergraduate program offered at the Universities at Shady Grove who has demonstrated academic excellence received the Student Academic Achievement Award. Recipients were 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.

View photo album from the 2011 Student Achievement and Leadership Breakfast.

The 2010-2011 Undergraduate Student Academic Achievement Awardees are:

  • Jessika Alfaro of Rockville, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park Public Health Science Program
  • Habtam Ayalew of Gaithersburg, Md. –Salisbury University Respiratory Therapy Program
  • Evan Caporaso of Silver Spring, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park Biological Sciences Program
  • Tia Cassel of Crofton, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park Robert H. Smith School of Business – Accounting Program
  • Scott Geraghty of Fulton, Md. – University of Maryland University College Information Systems Management Program
  • Lisa Hale of Silver Spring, Md. – Towson University at USG Early Childhood Education Program
  • Nucleide Harman of Springfield, Va. - University of Maryland Eastern Shore at Hotel and Restaurant Management Program
  • Sara Hashemi of Germantown, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park at Robert H. Smith School of Business – Marketing Program
  • Stacie Hering of Silver Spring, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore County Social Work Program
  • Dana James of Frederick, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing
  • Nitshu Joshi of Gaithersburg, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore County Psychology Program
  • Samantha Klein of Gaithersburg, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park Communication Program
  • Ali Koraganie of Gaithersburg, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore County History Program
  • Juan Lee of Silver Spring, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore County Political Science Program
  • Kimberley McWilliams of Gaithersburg, Md. – University of Maryland University College Business Administration Program
  • James Meekin of Rockville, Md. – University of Maryland Eastern Shore Construction Management Technology Program
  • Jirs Meuris of Potomac, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park Criminology and Criminal Justice Program
  • Fatima Sitson of Damascus, Md. – Towson University Elementary and Secondary Education Program
  • Aula Soroush of Potomac, Md. – University of Baltimore Simulation and Digital Entertainment Program
  • Waveney Sewlall of Germantown, Md. – University of Baltimore Health Systems Management Program
  • Verzhiniya Tancheva of Gaithersburg, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park Robert H. Smith School of Business – International Business Program
  • Jennifer Willis of Silver Spring, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park Robert H. Smith School of Business – Entrepreneurship Program

The 2010-2011 Student Leadership and Service Awardees are:

  • Jack Fraker of Kensington, Md. – University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing Program
  • Evelyn Juarez of Silver Spring, Md. – Towson University Elementary and Secondary Education Program
  • Skye Steward of Bethesda, Md. – University of Maryland, College Park Biological Sciences Program

USG Board of Advisors Kendall Service Awards

Two annual Kendall Service Awards were presented to recognize faculty and staff who have performed exceptionally in supporting student success at the Universities at Shady Grove. The winners were selected by a committee who reviewed more than 175 nominations submitted by students, faculty, and staff at USG.  

The Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Judy Streeter, Program Director, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hospitality and Restaurant Management at USG. The Outstanding Service to Students Award was presented to Gloria Kalotra, Senior Coordinator for Student Development in the Office of Student Services.

The names and pictures of award recipients will be prominently displayed in the Priddy Library in the Camille Kendall Academic Center.

Sponsors

The Student Achievement and Leadership Breakfast was sponsored by AFCEA (Bethesda Chapter); The Beatty Companies; Comcast; EagleBank; El Tiempo Latino; The Gazette; Human Genome Sciences; Hughes; J. Craig Venter Institute; Kaiser Permanente; Lockheed Martin; Northrop Grumman; Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union;  Montgomery College;  Santos, Postal & Company P.C.; 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.