News

In 2017, College Park Scholars welcomed more than 800 freshmen to what would become its 24th citation class, the Scholars Class of 2019. All who successfully completed the requirements of their Scholars program received their official Scholars citation. But there were some that went above and beyond the expectations, leaving a lasting impact on the community. On Oct. 18, 2019, Scholars honored these extraordinary students at its annual Citation Awards. Those recognized included 24 juniors—two from each program—chosen by their program directors for outstanding achievement and 24 for outstanding citizenship.

It’s a perennial back-to-school query from teachers: What did you do on your summer vacation? When we asked some of our Scholars students and alumni, they had a lot to tell us… and not surprisingly, they made the most of their summer break. Now that students have settled in on campus and the semester is a few weeks in, we highlight some of our impressive Scholars accomplishments from over the summer. Amit and Erin Koppel Year: Sophomore (Amit), Senior (Erin)

In the Environment, Technology and Economy (ETE) Scholars program, the second-semester colloquium is largely devoted to the “Connections” Project. Teams of four to six students propose an idea to enhance sustainability on campus or in the community. They research an idea, propose how best to achieve it and implement one aspect of the proposal by the end of the semester.

Scholars students took home several top awards at the 36th University Student Leadership Awards on Sunday, May 7. University Awards recognized Maryland Medallion Society members and Byrd/Elkins Finalists who have contributed significantly to the general advancement of this university’s interests and displayed outstanding involvement and leadership in campus activities. These students are the university’s top 20 senior students; two Scholars alumni were recognized by the Maryland Medallion Society:

After spending six years building up the Environment, Technology and Economy Scholars program as director, Becky Archer will be moving across the Atlantic Ocean to Belgium. "I loved every day working with students who wanted to find innovative ways to make our way of life more just and sustainable. The students pushed me to research fields that I had minimal background in, finding new and creative ways to look for opportunity,” Archer said. "The faculty and staff of Scholars are some of the most caring, intelligent folks that I have ever known, and it was an honor to work with people who were willing to step outside their comfort zone all for the purpose of making the student experience more meaningful."

Two graduates of the College Park Scholars program have channeled their entrepreneurial passions in the launch of their new food truck business. The Q Truck officially launched Sept. 2, along with several other popular trucks from the DMV area. Former Environment, Technology and the Economy Scholar David Engle and senior Business, Society and the Economy Scholar Chris Szeluga decided to start this new business venture soon after new legislation in Prince George’s County allowed food trucks in designated Food Truck Hubs, Engle said.