Annual Traditions
Scholars boasts a number of annual traditions that help round out the student experience and deepen the program's sense of community. These events–many of which were founded by our own students–underscore the spirit and care found in College Park Scholars.
Fall Traditions
Scholars Under The Lights
Under the Lights will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Bob "Turtle" Smith Baseball Stadium
on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
Usually taking place on the night of move-in, this community-building event is a guided program-wide activity that provides first-year Scholars a high-energy way to unwind and meet other Scholars students. Students are advised to wear comfortable clothing (ideally with pockets, to keep hands free) and closed-toe shoes.
Service Day
Service Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024. Check back later this summer for updates on your program's sites.
Scholars' first full day as college students begins with a day of service in communities surrounding the University of Maryland—a tradition that is more than 25 years old! Students get to know others in their Scholars program and build relationships with faculty while making a difference in neighboring communities.
As of 2023, Scholars Service Days have involved 25,000+ students, faculty and team leaders serving 731 community partners, providing an estimated 88,368 hours of service.
Convocation
Convocation will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2024 in Dekelboum Concert Hall, The Clarice.
Convocation takes place during the first week of classes, after students have attended their first colloquium. First-year Scholars are officially welcomed to the Scholars community by Executive Director Marilee Lindemann and the Scholars faculty and staff, and learn more about what it means to be a College Park Scholar.
Block Party
Information about this year's Block Party will be shared later this summer.
Learn about ways to get involved or just come for the party. Block Party features games, food, and music, and showcases student organizations and involvement opportunities throughout the community.
Citation Awards Ceremony
Each fall, we celebrate the accomplishments of Scholars in our recent citation class. Each program recognizes students for outstanding achievement and outstanding citizenship. In addition, six students are honored for exemplifying the founding ideals and values of College Park Scholars.
Spring Traditions
Faculty and Staff Appreciation Awards
Scholars faculty and staff frequently go above and beyond for their students. Every spring, students have an opportunity to recognize and thank them, by nominating them for a Faculty and Staff Appreciation Award. Nominations open in April, and awards are presented during a ceremony in May.
For more information or to nominate a member of the Scholars faculty or staff, please contact Akhila Vishnubhotla.
Academic Showcase
Academic Showcase was held May 3, 2024 at the Edward St. John Learning & Teaching Center. The entire university community and the general public are invited to attend annually.
An opportunity for second-year Scholars students to present their capstone projects to the University of Maryland (UMD) community, Academic Showcase completes a student's Scholars experience.
Academic Showcase is the largest exhibition of undergraduate student learning each year on the UMD campus. More than 600 sophomores share insights from their research, internship, service-learning, global learning and leadership experiences each year, through academic posters, presentations, facilitated discussions and interactive experiences.
Scholars Field Day
Last year's Field Day was held Friday, May 10, 2024.
Scholars Field Day (formerly Kickball) offers a program-wide bonding experience—as well as a fun way for students to blow off steam ahead of their final exams. Scholars Field Day, which takes place on a Saturday in May each year, pits Scholars programs against one another for a day of friendly competition.
First- and second-year Scholars students, as well as undergraduate Scholars alumni, may participate.
Ongoing Events and Traditions
Annual Theme
The College Park Scholars annual theme brings our community together to engage in a shared intellectual experience. We take on a complex, multifaceted problem that demands thoughtful, creative, hands-on solutions.