Three Seniors Honored as 2017 Merrill Presidential Scholars
Christopher Bambic, William O’Connor and Tiffany Wang honored as three of the university’s most successful seniors
Three seniors in the University of Maryland’s College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences have been named 2017 Merrill Presidential Scholars. The Merrill Presidential Scholars Program honors the university’s most successful seniors, who each recognize a UMD faculty member and high school teacher for contributing to their education.
Christopher Bambic, a physics and astronomy dual-degree student, honored Robert Ward of Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and Christopher Reynolds, professor of astronomy. “Professor Christopher Reynolds has been mentoring me in theoretical astrophysics research since the beginning of my sophomore year,” Bambic said. “Through his mentorship, I've been given the tools to approach the most fascinating problems in astrophysics that first inspired me to study the subject."
William O'Connor, a biological sciences major (general biology specialization), honored Lindsay Mossa of Severna Park High School in Severna Park, Maryland, and Reid Compton, principal lecturer of biology and director of the College Park Scholars Life Sciences program. “[Dr. Compton] understands the challenges and excitement that college students feel, and he strives to promote the ideal learning environment for me and my classmates," O'Connor said. "[Dr. Compton's] guidance and support make him stand out among my other professors at Maryland, and I know I can always turn to him for advice now and in the future."
Tiffany Wang, a biological sciences (physiology and neurobiology specialization) and anthropology dual-degree student, honored Ronald Frezzo of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland, and Catherine Carr, a Distinguished University Professor of Biology. “[Professor Carr] has gone out of her way to give me opportunities to learn new skills and underlying theories and participate in the presentation of our research,” Wang said. “She is deeply involved and accomplished in her research, yet she always makes time for her undergraduate students, lending an understanding ear for happenings in my life and offering her learned and compassionate wisdom.”
The Merrill Presidential Scholars Program honors the University of Maryland’s most successful seniors and their designated faculty and K-12 teachers for their mentorship. The legacy of academic excellence, teaching and mentoring continues as scholarships are awarded in the K-12 teacher’s name to a new first-year student from that teacher’s high school or school district.
UMD President Wallace D. Loh welcomed Merrill Scholars, faculty members and teachers at a luncheon celebration on November 17, 2017, at University House.
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Media Relations Contact: Irene Ying, 301-405-5204, zying@umd.edu
University of Maryland
College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
2300 Symons Hall
College Park, MD 20742
www.cmns.umd.edu
@UMDscience
About the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland educates more than 7,000 future scientific leaders in its undergraduate and graduate programs each year. The college’s 10 departments and more than a dozen interdisciplinary research centers foster scientific discovery with annual sponsored research funding exceeding $150 million.
