Four Arhu Seniors Recognized As Merrill Presidential Scholars With Faculty
November 25, 2013
The scholarship honors the university’s most successful seniors and designated faculty members who served as their mentors.
Each year the University of Maryland honors outstanding seniors and the designated university faculty and K-12 teachers who served as mentors for these students. During a special ceremony, teachers and faculty are brought together in a workshop that leads to stronger collaboration between the university and K-12 schools. 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.
The Merrill Presidential Scholars Program builds a community of scholars, faculty members, and K-12 teachers who recognize and celebrate the importance of teaching and mentoring the next generation.
This year, four College of Arts and Humanities students were recognized:
College of Arts and Humanities
Maryland Faculty Mentor
Edy Kaufman
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Teacher Mentor
Felicia Wilks
Friends School of Baltimore
Baltimore, Md.
Looking back on my high school years, Ms. Wilks truly stands out. She encouraged my love of reading, and it was through her short story writing class that I discovered a passion for writing. She was always creative and never fell back on more traditional lesson plans. Ms. Wilks stopped at nothing to ensure that we thought about and understood the books we were reading. One of my most vivid memories is of Ms. Wilks who, upon sensing the depth of our confusion about a scene in Their Eyes Were Watching God, drew the scene out for us on the board. Throughout my time in high school she was a friend and mentor. Her door was always open. Even now, I visit Ms. Wilks when I’m home to talk about everything from our favorite new books to our favorite new recipes. I first met Professor Kaufman while taking a University of Maryland summer course on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and found that he has been an absolute inspiration to me. His teaching was fascinating and even-handed in a complex and contentious subject. I was inspired by the course to study abroad in Haifa, Israel, where Professor Kaufman serves as the program mentor. He continues to be inspirational in his conflict resolution work and warm and welcoming to his students. Professor Kaufman has always been there to help me and I feel so honored to have him as my mentor. Both Ms. Wilks and Professor Kaufman are exceptional educators, but what makes them truly special is that they continue to encourage and serve as an inspiration for their students outside the classroom.
College of Arts and Humanities
Maryland Faculty Mentor
Howard Smead
Department of History
Teacher Mentor
Jennifer Walker
Sherwood High School
Sandy Spring, Md.
I have been fortunate to have been mentored by remarkable teachers who have helped me grow and thrive. Mrs. Jennifer Walker inspired me to study political science and history in college with her uncanny gift for making a crowded classroom feel intimate. Mrs. Walker nurtured my love of social studies and opened my eyes to new and exciting ways of thinking, encouraging me to develop my academic pursuits and instilling in me a passion for learning. A teacher, mentor and role model, Mrs. Walker has always been there for me and I am incredibly thankful for her guidance. At the University of Maryland, Professor Howard Smead served a similarly important role in my academic and personal development. I did not know what to expect when I first came to Maryland. Professor Smead’s American history courses helped get my feet on the ground. The courses were not easy, but Professor Smead pushed me to work hard, hit the books and write clearly, helping me to hone my skills in the process. I am truly thankful for his willingness to sit with me after lectures and discuss the material.
College of Arts and Humanities
Maryland Faculty Mentor
Ingrid Satelmajer
Department of English
Teacher Mentor
Lynda Hardison
Shackelford Junior High School
Arlington, Texas
I have many mentors to thank for my success at the University of Maryland, but two teachers in particular have served as wonderful academic mentors and influenced my time at school positively. At Shackelford Junior High, I was fortunate to be placed in Lynda Hardison’s Texas history and introductory Spanish classes. I enjoyed Mrs. Hardison’s approach to teaching history, and her Spanish class provided me with a solid foundation in preparation for my high school foreign language classes. Because she was so dedicated to her students, Mrs. Hardison agreed to tutor a small group of students in Spanish during our freshman year of high school, going above and beyond to help us succeed. At the University of Maryland, I enrolled in Ingrid Satelmajer’s honors seminar, “Jane Austen: Her World, Our Obsession.” Professor Satelmajer enthusiastically guided my class through five of Austen’s works, and gave constructive and detailed criticism of my written assignments, pushing me to improve my writing skills. She also encouraged everyone in class to undertake creative projects for their final presentations. A classmate and I created our own version of Monopoly based on Austen’s novels. Our board game turned into a final project and a research paper that won a 2013 Honors College Best Student Paper Award. I loved taking classes with Mrs. Hardison and Professor Satelmajer, and I am so appreciative of their enthusiasm, dedication and encouragement.
College of Arts and Humanities
Maryland Faculty Mentor
Steven Mansbach
Department of Art History and Archaeology
Teacher Mentor
Laurel Waterhouse
Choate Rosemary Hall
Wallingford, Conn.
Ms. Laurel Waterhouse was my history teacher, but her impact was especially poignant outside the classroom as my dorm advisor. She was always there when I was stressed about school and life. She reminded me of the big picture, which is just as important as lessons in the classroom. My mentor at the university has been Dr. Steven Mansbach. During my freshman fall his introduction to art history course inspired me to add the major. He currently serves as my thesis advisor. Dr. Mansbach is one of the most brilliant and inspirational professors I have ever had and he truly cares about his students. I would not be able to pursue my dreams of graduate school without the wonderful and caring teachers I have had in my scholastic career.