Scholars News Desk
College Park Scholars Honored by Omicron Delta Kappa
April 23, 2008
College Park, Md. – Five College Park Scholars were among those inducted into the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) at the Sunday, April 13th initiation ceremony held at the campus’s Memorial Chapel. Established at Maryland in 1927, The Sigma Circle of ODK recognizes those who have attained a high standard of efficiency in five areas of collegiate activities -- Scholarship; Athletics; Campus or Community Service, Social, and Religious Activities, and Campus Government; Journalism, Speech, and the Mass Media; and the Creative and Performing Arts. The chapter strives for members’ accomplishments to inspire others for similar achievement.
In addition to the induction ceremony, initiates and their families shared in a banquet, held in the Atrium of the Stamp Student Union. Dr. Richard Brecht, Executive Director of the University of Maryland center for the Advanced Study of Language served as guest speaker. The following College Park Scholars were inducted at the ceremony:
Meagan (Maggy) Rose Baccinelli is a journalism major with a concentration in health, from Woodbridge, New Jersey, where she graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s Academy, in 2005. Maggy has been very active in Student Entertainment Events (SEE) including serving as its incoming President and previously as Public Relations Director, Hospitality Director, and Marketing and Tech Team member. Maggy has also served as a reporter for the Public Asian, Mitzpeh, and Unwind, the magazine for the Media, Self and Society program in College Park Scholars, from which she received her citation in 2007. Maggy has also been involved with the Center for Health and Wellbeing and the Student Global AIDS Campaign.
Katherine (Katie) Sara Minkoff is a finance major from Potomac, Maryland, where she graduated from Winston Churchill High School, in 2004.. She has been a member and Student Coordinator of the College Park Scholars Ambassadors, and Director of Performing Arts and Director of Public Relations for Student Entertainment Events. Katie has served as Secretary for Phi Chi Theta and has been a member of the Terrapin Ski and Snowboard Club. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and earned her College Park Scholars citation from the American Cultures program in 2006.
Shai Eitan Romirowsky is a government and politics major from Teaneck, New Jersey, where he graduated from Solomon Schecter Day School, in 2004. Shai has served as Secretary, and later President of his fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi. He’s been the Vice President for External Affairs in the Interfraternity Council and a Board member for the Jewish Leadership Council. He was a founding member of the 2008 Class Council and is a member of Order of Omega. Shai earned his College Park Scholars citation in International Studies in International Studies in 2006.
Nicholas (Nick) Reid Singer is a logistics and supply chain management and marketing double major from Winter Park, where he graduated from Winter Park High School in 2004. He has been involved in the Smith Honors Council and the Maryland Undergraduate Society of Entrepreneurs. Nick has also been a member of the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band, the Basketball Pep Band, and the Maryland Concert Band. He’s a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Primannum honor societies, and earned his College Park Scholars citation in Business, Society and the Economy in 2006.
Jessica (Jessie) Margaret Thompson is a marketing major from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she graduated from Paint Branch High School in 2005. She has been involved with Student Entertainment Events, having served as the Comedy Director, Marketing Director and incoming Concerts Director. She has served as President of Terps for Duncan and as Founding Member of the Robin Hood Corporation. Jessie earned her College Park Scholars citation in Media, Self and Society, in 2007.
The Sigma Circle invites juniors, seniors and graduate students to apply. Additionally, faculty and staff, alumni, and members of the community are selected on the basis of outstanding accomplishments. The Sigma Circle is proud of its campus history. It originated the Annual Awards Banquet; awards an annual $1000 scholarship to an incoming freshman who was a high school leader; selects the "Top Ten Freshmen" and the "Sophomore Leader of the Year;" and with the help of alumni donations, constructed the ODK Fountain on McKeldin Mall, which was built to create a lasting monument to leadership and to those who have contributed so much to the campus. Dedicated in April, 1997, all of the names of those people involved with ODK since 1927 are engraved on the granite sides of the fountain.
For more information on this press release or on College Park Scholars, contact Kevin Baxter at (301) 314-1522, or bax@umd.edu. For more information about the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, consult the following URL: http://www.odk.umd.edu/.
