Scholars News Desk
46 College Park Scholars to be Inducted Into Phi Beta Kappa
May 20, 2008
College Park, Md. –46 College Park Scholars were invited to join the Gamma-of-Maryland Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Organized in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most widely respected academic honor society in the United States. Invitation to membership is based on outstanding scholastic achievement in studies of the liberal arts and sciences. The Maryland Chapter was established in 1964.
The initiation took place on Thursday, May 22nd, at 2 p.m., in the Physics Lecture Hall. Initiates were addressed by Nobel Laureate Dr. John C. Mather of NASA whose topic was "From the Big Bang to the Nobel Prize and On to the Discovery of Alien Life."
Congratulations go to the following junior and senior College Park Scholars who were initiated into Phi Beta Kappa:
Jamie Benjamin Siefert is a junior majoring in Psychology. Jamie earned a College Park Scholars citation from the American Cultures program, in 2007. A resident of Columbia, Md., Jamie is a 2005 graduate from Atholton High School.
Jennifer M. Edelston is a junior majoring in Jewish Studies. Jennifer earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Science, Discovery and the Universe program, in 2007. A resident of Atlanta, GA, Jennifer graduated from The Weber School, in 2005.
James Matthew Harrigan is a junior majoring in History. James earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2007. A resident of Ellicott City, Md., James graduated from Mount Hebron High School, in 2005.
Asher Jacob Kohn is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice. Asher earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2007. A resident of Pepper Pike, OH, Asher graduated from Highland Park High School, in 2005.
Teresa T. Lewi is a junior majoring in Journalism. Teresa earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Media, Self and Society program, in 2007. A resident of North Potomac, Md., Teresa graduated from Thomas Sprigg Wootten High School, in 2005.
Sarah Chamness Long is a junior majoring in French. Sarah earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2007. A resident of Montgomery Village, Md., Sarah graduated from Watkins Mill High School, in 2005.
Laura Roselyn Messing is a junior majoring in Anthropology. Laura earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2007. A resident of Upper Montclair, NJ, Laura graduated from Montclair High School, in 2005.
Kyle Michael Mitchell is a junior majoring in History. Kyle earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2007. A resident of Belle Harbor, NY, Kyle graduated from Chaminade High School, in 2005.
Kelly Elizabeth Rollman is a junior majoring in Biological Sciences. Kelly earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Earth, Life and Time program, in 2007. A resident of Pleasantville, NY, Kelly graduated from Pleasantville High School, in 2005.
Alexander Benjamin Schotz is a junior majoring in International Business. Alexander earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2007. A resident of Clarksville, Md., Alexander graduated from River Hill High School, in 2005.
Sarah Joan Taylor is a junior majoring in Psychology. Sarah earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Advocates for Children program, in 2007. A resident of Madison, Ct., Sarah graduated from Daniel Hand High School, in 2005.
Heather Noelle Williams is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice. Heather earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Public Leadership program, in 2007. A resident of Chester Springs, PA, Heather graduated from Lake Forest High School, in 2005.
Rachel Elizabeth Gotthelf is a senior majoring in Communication. Rachel earned a College Park Scholars citation from the American Cultures program, in 2006. A resident of Needham, MA, Rachel graduated from Needham High School, in 2004.
Connie J. Lee is a senior majoring in Communication. Connie earned a College Park Scholars citation from the American Cultures program, in 2006. A resident of Potomac, Md., Connie graduated from Winston Churchill High School, in 2004.
Christopher John Li is a senior majoring in Chinese. Christopher earned a College Park Scholars citation from the American Cultures program, in 2005. A resident of Bethesda, Md., Christopher graduated from St. Anselm's Abbey School, in 2003.
Amanda Lynn Tuma is a senior majoring in History, and Secondary Social Studies. Amanda earned a College Park Scholars citation from the American Cultures program, in 2006. A resident of Silver Spring, Md., Amanda graduated from James Hubert Blake High School, in 2004.
Nicole Rene Van Berkum is a senior majoring in History. Nicole earned a College Park Scholars citation from the American Cultures program, in 2006. A resident of Columbia, Md., Nicole graduated from Hammond High School, in 2004.
Mariel Christina Oquendo is a senior majoring in English. Mariel earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Advocates for Children program, in 2006. A resident of Cockeysville, Md., Mariel graduated from Friends School of Baltimore, in 2003.
Avital Zahava Parness is a senior majoring in Anthropology. Avital earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Advocates for Children program, in 2006. A resident of New Rochelle, NY, Avital graduated from Yeshiva University High School, in 2003.
Joshua Daniel Gardner is a senior majoring in Anthropology. Joshua earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Arts program, in 2006. A resident of Silver Spring, Md., Joshua graduated from Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, in 2004.
Zoe Rose Jouannelle is a senior majoring in Communication. Zoe earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Arts program, in 2006. A resident of Potomac, Md., Zoe graduated from California High School, in 2004.
Richard Brian Resch is a senior majoring in English. Richard earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Arts program, in 2006. A resident of East Meadow, NY, Richard graduated from East Meadow High School, in 2004.
Heidi Elisabeth Sahmel is a senior majoring in Psychology. Heidi earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Arts program, in 2006. A resident of Easton, Md., Heidi graduated from Saint Andrews School, in 2004.
Alan Miotto Wright is a senior majoring in Spanish. Alan earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Business, Society and the Economy program, in 2005. A resident of Rockville, Md., Alan graduated from Thomas Sprigg Wootten High School, in 2003.
John Yun-Chung Wu is a senior majoring in Finance and Economics. John earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Business, Society and the Economy program, in 2005. A resident of Clarksville, Md., John graduated from River Hill High School, in 2003.
Michelle C. Lau is a senior majoring in Finance. Michelle earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Earth, Life and Time program, in 2004. A resident of Potomac, Md., Michelle graduated from Winston Churchill High School, in 2002.
Ryan David Scully is a senior majoring in Biological Sciences. Ryan earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Earth, Life and Time program, in 2006. A resident of Burtonsville, Md., Ryan is a 2004 graduate from Paint Branch High School.
Juliya Solyar is a senior majoring in Psychology. Juliya earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Earth, Life and Time program, in 2007. A resident of Baltimore, Md., Juliya graduated from McDonogh Shool, in 2004.
Jacklyn Suzanne Schay is a senior majoring in Government and Politics. Jacklyn earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Environmental Studies program, in 2006. A resident of Stony Brook, NY, Jacklyn graduated from Ward Melville High School, in 2004.
Lauren Beth Serkes is a senior majoring in Dietetics. Lauren earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Environmental Studies program, in 2006. A resident of East Meadow, NY, Lauren graduated from East Meadow High School, in 2004.
Mary Eleanor Belz is a senior majoring in Sociology. Mary earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2006. A resident of Lutherville, Md., Mary graduated from Maryvale Preparatory High School, in 2004.
Annika Rebecca Betancourt is a senior majoring in Spanish. Annika earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2006. A resident of University Park, Md., Annika graduated from Elizabeth Seton High School, in 2004.
Cori Cohen is a senior majoring in Government and Politics. Cori earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2006. A resident of Silver Spring, Md., Cori graduated from Montgomery Blair High School, in 2004.
Andrew Harrison Costinett is a senior majoring in Government and Politics. Andrew earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2006. A resident of Silver Spring, Md., Andrew graduated from Sherwood High School, in 2004.
Megan Jean Ritter is a senior majoring in Psychology and Biological Sciences. Megan earned a College Park Scholars citation from the International Studies program, in 2006. A resident of Potomac, Md., Megan graduated from Winston Churchill High School, in 2004.
Sasha Elizabeth Knowlton is a senior majoring in Biological Sciences. Sasha earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Life Sciences program, in 2006. A resident of Bradford, MA, Sasha graduated from Central Catholic High School, in 2004.
Ryan Bausch Schmidt is a senior majoring in Biological Sciences. Ryan earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Life Sciences program, in 2006. A resident of Collingswood, NJ, Ryan graduated from Collingswood Senior High School, in 2004.
Bari Jenna Schwartz is a senior majoring in Psychology. Bari earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Life Sciences program, in 2006. A resident of Suffern, NJ, Bari graduated from Suffern High School, in 2004.
Esther Caryn Fingerhut is a senior majoring in Women's Studies. Esther earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Media, Self and Society program, in 2006. A resident of Forest Hills, NY, Esther graduated from Townsend Harris High School at Queens College, in 2004.
Jenna Cook Patchen is a senior majoring in Psychology. Jenna earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Media, Self and Society program, in 2006. A resident of Bethesda, Md., Jenna graduated from Walter Johnson High School, in 2004.
Sahar Ashley Sharif is a senior majoring in Journalism. Sahar earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Media, Self and Society program, in 2006. A resident of Rockville, Md., Sahar is a 2004 graduate from Montgomery Blair High School.
Anne Wouters DiMotto is a senior majoring in Government and Politics. Anne earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Public Leadership program, in 2006. A resident of Greendale, WI, Anne graduated from Pius XI High School, in 2004.
Talar Tatarian is a senior majoring in Biological Sciences. Talar earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Public Leadership program, in 2006. A resident of Rockville, Md., Talar graduated from Walter Johnson High School, in 2004.
Sara Zabihi is a senior majoring in Government and Politics, and Spanish. Sara earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Public Leadership program, in 2006. A resident of Rockville, Md., Sara graduated from Rockville High School, in 2004.
Justin William Bonny is a senior majoring in Psychology. Justin earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Science, Technology and Society program, in 2006. A resident of Eldersburg, Md., Justin graduated from Samuel Gompers High School, in 2004.
Jacqueline Leventon is a senior majoring in Psychology. Jacqueline earned a College Park Scholars citation from the Science, Technology and Society program, in 2006. A resident of Westbury, NY, Jacqueline graduated from Jericho Senior High School, in 2004.
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 Chapter 22 of Phi Kappa Phi, consult its Website.
