OMICRON DELTA KAPPA
THE L E ADER FALL 2022
Meet Our
MEMBERS
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Leadership
LISTENING
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SIGMA CIRCLE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
1 | THE LEADER ODK Sigma Circle
MESSAGE FROM THE CIRCLE COORDINATORS By Dr. James McShay and Sarah Williamson Dear ODK members, We are thrilled to introduce ourselves as the new Circle Co-Coordinators for the Sigma Circle of ODK at University of Maryland following Brooke Lecky Supple’s retirement this past May. We know we have some big shoes to fill with such a storied history of Sigma Circle Coordinators and are gracious for the support we have received stepping into this role. Dr. James McShay is the Assistant Vice President of Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs overseeing the Stamp Student Union, University Career Center, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Fraternity & Sorority Life. Dr. McShay returned to UMD in Fall 2021. Dr. McShay joined University of Washington (UW) Tacoma from his role as Associate Director of the Stamp Student Union. Dr. McShay is rejoining UMD from his most recent role as Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion at UW, a position he held for three years. Dr. McShay earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York-Oswego, and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Iowa State University in Education, Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Multicultural and International Curriculum Studies. Sarah Williamson is the Manager for Events & Special Projects in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and served as the Circle Assistant for the Sigma Circle since December 2018. Prior to this role, Sarah served as a Resident Director for UMD for six years. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Gonzaga University and her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University. As we embark on this joint role together, we are excited to continue the tradition of celebrating leadership amongst our community. Campus has been a bustling sphere of engaged students, creating deep connections amongst each other. We continue to review programs from pre-pandemic and reimagine how they will serve this new generation of students and create new ones where there is a need. Our students are the epitome of excellence, and we continue to look for ways to support them in their time at UMD and beyond. ODK has continued to recognize emerging and consistent leaders through our awards and scholarship programs. This past spring, M Pease, our 2022 ODK Col. J. Logan Schutz Sigma Circle Leader of the Year, was selected as the 2022 General Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year Award from ODK. They join a distinguished list of past winners including Joanna Calabrese (2010), Adam Chepenik (2003), Marc Solomon (1994), Hillary Cherry Mintz (1997), and Emily Berry (2021). We are so proud of M and all of our amazing ODK Sigma Circle leaders! We hope to meet many of you during our time with ODK and invite each of you back to campus for homecoming and our 18th Annual Student Leadership Celebration!! At this annual event, we will announce this year’s Spirit of Maryland winners. Please RSVP and join us on Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. We hope you will enjoy this edition of The Leader featuring lots of news about leadership, campus changes, and the UMD strategic plan on campus. We hope you and your families are safe and well, and that we will see you on October 22nd! Dr. James McShay & Sarah Williamson ODK Circle Co-Coordinators
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT By Mathew Ober Hello ODK! My name is Matthew Ober, and I am deeply honored to represent this year’s Sigma Circle as President. Having first been inducted into ODK in the spring of 2021, I am pursuing my dual degree with a bachelor’s in Music and a bachelor’s in Information Science, working toward a life-long dream of performing music on stage and teaching flute to the next generation of bright individuals who engage with music as a form of expression, identity, and creative self-discovery. The campus community enters this fall semester with certainty, confidence, and new perspectives. Overcoming the many personal and social obstacles we have faced in recent years, our community is thriving and eager to jump into a productive and engaging academic year. I’m excited to help lead ODK into fostering our evergrowing community of Terps as many grow out of their shells to forge their own pathways on campus and into the world. Transitioning from an online world back to what is supposed to feel like reality has been a challenge for so many of us. Having the support of an incredible team of executive board members and advisors, I want to work towards growing ODK outwards to our student Terps, helping them engage with the endless opportunities that exist at the University of Maryland. I envision our own members reaching out to our newest cohorts of resilient and inspired students to provide mentorship and collaboration and be the catalyst for creating more leaders across our campus: in classrooms, in labs, in dorms, on stage, on the field, and everywhere in between. And as we move forward into the year with new goals and garnered successes, we continue to welcome more of the brightest minds on campus into the ODK circle to continue the mission and represent leadership in its infinity of definitions. I would like to recognize our 49 undergraduate students, 3 graduate students, and 2 honorary individuals who were selected for membership into the Sigma Circle this semester. It is a privilege to witness and welcome the hard work, success, and accolades of these extraordinary individuals into our community of leaders among leaders. I encourage you all this semester to continue leading those around you in your everyday life. We love seeing your accomplishments in life, whether you are a current student or one of our amazing alumni. Keep in touch with us! “I would advise my young colleagues, the composers of symphonies, to drop in sometimes at the kindergarten, too. It is there that it is decided whether there will be anybody to understand their works in twenty years’ time.” Zoltán Kodály Matthew Ober Matthew Ober President Ethan Jenkins Vice President Raj Ukwondwa Philanthropy & Community Service Chair Shane Querbin Events & Lectures Chair
Maddie Schattenfield Alumni & Member Engagement Chair Renee Paulraj Communications Co-Chair Nyah Stewart Communications Co-Chair Amber Wang Recruitment & Community Outreach Chair
Samantha Tang Membership & Induction Chair Kayleigh Gallagher Historian Dr. James McShay Circle Co-Coordinator Sarah Williamson Circle Co-Coordinator Dr. Dean Chang Faculty Advisor
MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Matthew Ober
Warm greetings this fall season! My name is Matthew Ober and I have the amazing privilege of representing Omicron Delta Kappa as President of our Sigma Circle this year. This is my fifth year at the University of Maryland, although having grown up down the road in Silver Spring and having a Terp-Mom, I feel as if I’ve been around the College Park area all of my life. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in May of 2022 as a part of the Music Professional Program studying Flute Performance, and am currently completing my second bachelor’s in Information Science. Throughout my time at the university, I’ve enjoyed realizing my interest in student advocacy through the arts and have spent much of my time in many roles over the years. Aside from regularly performing with the University Symphony and Wind Orchestras, I’ve served in various advocacy roles for the School of Music and College of Arts & Humanities as part of the ARHU Dean’s Advisory Board, Student Government Association, Music Administrative Committees, as well as the Provost Student Advisory Council and Vice President of Student Affairs Student Advisory Council. I have also been involved with the National Residence Hall Honorary, TEMPO New Music Ensemble at the Clarice’s annual NextNOW Fest, Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society, The Flute Society, and in various performances in the surrounding DC Metropolitan area, including the Annapolis Opera Company and National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute. But as my undergraduate career wraps up, I plan on continuing my music studies in graduate school for flute performance. Favorite place on campus: The back patio of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center overlooking the sunset. Add to the ODK Playlist: Francis Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra
Ethan Jenkins
Hello! My name is Ethan Jenkins and I am so excited to be Vice President of Omicron Delta Kappa. I am a senior from Bel Air, Maryland studying International Business
and Finance. Leadership has always been a strong pillar of my character, so I am so excited to learn from the rest of the amazing ODK executive board. As a Terp, I have found many spaces to grow my leadership over the past three years. I have earned my citation from the Media, Self, and Society Scholars Program where I had the opportunity to closely study the impact of media on social and marketing trends. I am also the president of the Student Alumni Leadership Council, an ex-officio member of the University of Maryland Alumni Association Board of Governors, a campus tour guide for Maryland Images, and an alumni career programs intern for the Alumni Association. Graduating this December, I am excited to join Ally Financial full-time as a Portfolio Management Associate. I am especially excited to permanently move into the DMV where a Maryland Terrapins game will only be a stone’s throw away! In my final semester as a Terp, I am excited to share my passion for leadership with my fellow Terps by empowering them to step up and take on the challenges of both today and tomorrow. Favorite place on campus: Garden of Reflection and Remembrance at the Chapel Add to the ODK Playlist: Zanzibar by Billy Joel
Raj Ukondwa
Hello everyone! My name is Raj Ukondwa and I am so honored to serve as your Philanthropy & Community Service Chair this year! I am a senior Government and Politics major from Howard County Maryland. Throughout my past three years on campus, I have been committed to improving and giving back to this amazing community. I am currently the Chair of the BSOS Dean Student Advisory Council where I work with students from each of our college’s majors alongside Associate Dean Katherine Russell to help make BSOS the best it can be. I am also the president of the Black Pre-Law Association and vice president of OMSE College Success Scholars. Currently, I work for the GVPT front desk as well as I am a student advocate for the University of Maryland Student Legal Aid Office. My leadership positions and roles on campus have really allowed me to meet and befriend so many different people from various walks of life. As my senior year wraps up I plan to apply to law school and get my J.D. by the spring of 2026. I really want to make the most of what UMD has to offer and can not wait
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for another year of amazing experiences. Favorite place on campus: 5th Floor of Tydings Add to the ODK Playlist: Cuff It - Beyoncé
Maddie Schattenfield
Hi everyone!! My name is Maddie Schattenfield and I’m so excited to serve as your Alumni & Member Engagement Chair. I’m a senior Mechanical Engineering major from Wilton, Connecticut so NYC was always “my city” until I moved down here. Now, I feel like I’m very much a part of both.
Outside of ODK, I am a member of Theta Tau Professional Co-Ed Engineering Fraternity where I’ve held a number of positions throughout my time there. I also serve as a teaching fellow for an engineering vibrations course and work in a Cardiovascular Biomechanics Lab here on campus! I’m not exactly sure what I want to do full-time once I graduate, but I do know that I want to stay around the area. I’m so excited to get to plan some fun events for you all and help you grow professionally by connecting you to our wonderful alumni. Favorite place on campus: McKeldin Mall! It’s such a beautiful staple to UMD. Add to the ODK Playlist: Cherry Wine by Hozier
Samantha Tang
Hey everyone! My name is Samantha Tang, and I am proud to be the Membership & Induction Chair for the ODK Sigma Circle this year. I am a first-year Ph.D. student studying Computer Science with the intention to focus on artificial intelligence and humancomputer interaction, and I am from Perry Hall, Maryland. After being inducted just last semester, I am honored to take on an executive role alongside the rest of these amazing campus leaders. I am a tried-and-true UMD student having earned my bachelor’s in Computer Science and bachelor’s in Mathematics in spring 2022. For my first two years of undergrad, I was a member of the Design, Cultures, and Creativity Honors Program. I served on its Student
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Council for two years, participated in multiple curriculum overhauls, and served as a teaching assistant for two courses. I also served for three years as an honors ambassador where I introduced prospective students to all that the Honors College has to offer. Additionally, I was heavily involved in Kappa Theta Pi, UMD’s only co-educational professional technology fraternity. After a year of membership, I took on the director of membership role, and president the following year. During my time as president, we instated our first Fall Formal and our internal competition week named KTPalooza. I learned so much from my seniors in the organization as an underclassman, and it felt so good to pay it forward by helping younger members grow professionally, technically, and socially. Besides those organizations noted above, I filled my schedule as a member of a variety of honor societies and volunteer organizations. As I enter my graduate studies, I hope to dedicate my extracurricular time to ODK and possibly join the Computer Science Graduate Council. I hope to fill my continued time at UMD with lots of memories, and I can’t wait for ODK to be a part of so many! Favorite place on campus: The Rooftop of Iribe Add to the ODK Playlist: I think I’m Okay by MGK, Yungblud, and Travis Barker
Amber Wang
Hi!! I’m Amber Wang and I’m your Recruitment & Community Outreach Chair hailing from Wilmington, Delaware (YES, I live ~15 minutes from Joe Biden’s house). I’m a senior Computer Science major and I’m pursuing minors in Business Analytics and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. When I’m not heckling orgs to get their members to apply, you can usually find me at mock trial practice or working as a teaching assistant! Throughout my past three years here I’ve had the opportunity to teach as a Guided Study Sessions leader for Calculus, organize the Technica hackathon hosted here at UMD (the world’s largest hackathon for underrepresented genders!), and serve as both a community advocate for the University Student Judiciary and an intern for the Student Legal Aid Office. When I graduate in the spring, I’ll most likely be working at Microsoft as a full-time software engineer in Redmond, Washington. My current plan is to eventually further my education with a master’s in Computer Science, but law
school is also always in the books! Favorite place on campus: Iribe’s second-floor rooftop garden (I’m not cool enough to have access to the topfloor garden); if you walk around the side there’s a nice bench that’s great for working in the sunshine (or peoplewatching)! Add to the ODK Playlist: maybe, i’m afraid by lovelytheband
Shane Querubin
Hello! My name is Shane Querubin and I am your current Events & Lectures Chair! I am a senior from Germantown, Maryland, so Maryland pride all the way! I am studying Environmental Science and Technology and hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering after undergrad. Knowing that it is my senior year, I am thrilled to be representing ODK in this way and hope to create fun events for our members. Aside from being involved in ODK, I have been an avid member of the environmental community on campus. I am the treasurer and events chair of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance and am on the AGNR Student Council as well. These communities are very close to my heart and hope that more people will join us in our efforts to make campus more sustainable! I also love being an intern at TerpsForChange, a community service organization, under the LCSL office of STAMP. Working in my communities has always been important to me so I hope to enter academia after graduate school and then work with these communities again.
Add to the ODK Playlist: I Love You So by The Walters – this song is really sad to be honest, but I’m okay!
Nyah Stewart
Hi! I am Nyah Stewart, and I am excited to be your Co-Chair for Communications this year! I am a senior from Frederick, Maryland, studying Government and Politics. Although bittersweet, I am looking forward to my last year at UMD and am extremely honored to be a part of the Sigma Circle. Aside from ODK, I have had the pleasure of being involved in many other impactful organizations on campus for the past four years, such as the Student Government Association. I have served in many roles in SGA, including the chief of staff and the director of communications. Being a member of SGA has allowed me to give back to the campus community in many ways, including donating a million dollars to student services during the pandemic. The SGA donated to many integral resources at UMD, including the Campus Pantry, an organization close to my heart as I have worked a lot with food insecurity issues. After college, I am applying to law school and hope to pursue a career in public service due to my many experiences at UMD that have shown me the value of improving and serving your community. Favorite place on campus: The Memorial Chapel’s Garden! (A mini botanical garden, in my eyes) Add to the ODK Playlist: Virgo’s Groove by Beyoncé
Renee Paulraj
Honestly, I am sad to be a senior this year. I will really miss this place and all the great memories and friends I’ve made here. Hopefully, I can end this year with a bang!
Hi! My name is Renee Paulraj, and I am so excited to be one of the Communications CoChairs for this year! I am a senior Government and Politics and Information Science double major from Ellicott City, Maryland. I am honored to have been inducted into ODK last semester in spring 2022!
Favorite place on campus: Animal Science Courtyard – not a lot of people know about this place, but I am there almost every day!! But also, just an extra one and not really a place, please check out Kertle (I call him Kermtudo) in STAMP – you will not be sorry.
Throughout my time at UMD, I have been involved in many different student organizations. As someone who is passionate about civil rights and liberties, I founded a student chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union on campus and currently serve as president. I also serve
Outside of these activities though, you will probably find me playing volleyball – though not well – or watching movies at Hoff! I am so grateful that there is a theater on campus because I used to live next to one and the moviegoing experience is just different than streaming at home. I also like to do some crafts through crocheting, sewing, and scrapbooking – these are definitely very calming for me! And weirdly, I like listening to audiobooks, especially when it’s read by the author, so cool!
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as chair and a presiding officer of the University Student Judiciary and president of GirlUp. I’ve also been involved in Mock Trial, Moot Court, Phi Alpha Delta, and the Student Conduct Review Coalition. I am also an intern for the TerpsVote Coalition this semester! After graduating, I plan to attend law school and continue to pursue my interests in civil rights and public interest work! But for the time being, I plan to continue to be involved in all my activities on campus and look forward to being one of your executive board members this year! Favorite Place on Campus: The Reading Room in McKeldin Add to the ODK Playlist: The Exit by Conan Gray
Kayleigh Gallagher
Hey there! My name is Kayleigh Gallagher and I am your Historian this year! I am a senior Theatre major from Pylesville, Maryland (shoutout to anyone who knows where that is) and I am so honored to be part of such an inspiring group of leaders in the Sigma Circle.
During my time at UMD so far, I have been hungry to be as involved as I can on
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campus and take advantage of this time I have in college to experiment and find out what I really love. Within the first few weeks of being on campus in fall 2019, I joined Mockappella, a comedic a cappella group on campus, and have since become the music director. Mock was my first step toward becoming a leader on campus and thanks to that group I was able to gain the confidence I needed to start stepping up in other areas of my campus involvement. Outside of performances and classes, I am involved in the theatre program at UMD as a mentor and ambassador. You can usually find me either eating a bento lunch in the Clarice courtyard or working the front desk at the Performing Arts Library. This semester I joined the leadership board of Veritas, a new filmmaking club, as the acting chair and historian where I am excited to lead some screen acting workshops and help create some cool short films! Outside of the performing arts, I am a part of Gemstone team Recycloth, a research team battling textile waste on UMD’s campus. After four years of acting in plays, short films, and classes, I can happily say I have not grown sick of it yet! Once my time at UMD is up, I hope to continue acting on film and on stage. I am not sure where I will end up or how long it will take, but I am looking forward to the ride! Favorite place on campus: The Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library (not biased AT ALL) Add to the ODK Playlist: The Greatest Story Ever Told by Ice Nine Kill
Hear from Our Current Members: A Q&A Interview by Renee Paulraj
Katy Clugg
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself! I am Katy Clugg. I use she/her pronouns. I’m a senior Criminology and Criminal Justice and Government and Politics double degree candidate with a minor in Global Terrorism Studies. I am from just outside Chicago, Illinois. As for my career plans right now, I am hope to pursue research in the same area of domestic extremism, similar to what I’m doing now for START (The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism) at UMD. I want to continue investigating and looking into domestic terrorism, so researching things such as white supremacy and the incel movement. Q: What are you involved in on campus? I am currently the co-chair of the Student Conduct Review Coalition. I am the president and founder of the FBI collegiate program. I am the communications chair for the ACLU chapter at UMD. I am a presiding officer within the University Student Judiciary (USJ), as well as one of the Education and Outreach co-chairs on the executive board. I’m also a member of Maryland Mock Trial and a member of PAD, which is the professional pre-law fraternity. I’m also in ODK and a member of Preventing Sexual Assault. I also work for START!
Q: Which involvement has been the most meaningful to you and why? Definitely my involvement in the Student Conduct Review Coalition (SCRC). I joined the organization about a year after it was originally founded and helped participate in the actual registration of the campus organization. And, I’ve taken over as one of the co-chairs. This organization is important to me because while I do a lot of other things that are kind of for fun or other types of activism, in SCRC, it feels like we actually have the potential to make a legitimate difference on campus that will matter and will last longer than we’re here at the university. Being in USJ for so long, I’ve seen a lot of the entire conduct process, and I’ve noticed a lot of similar issues and biases that come up between cases. I think it’s really important to have a bridge between USJ and the Legal Aid Office to make the conduct process more fair and equitable to students so that we’re coming to the most just outcome for each case. I think having a more humane, personal aspect and view on the conduct process will be beneficial. Q: Why did you apply to join ODK? I applied to ODK because it was a goal that I had when I started college. Seeing the foundation and the names of students in charge of clubs that I was in as a freshman, who were spearheading all these important changes on campus, inspired me to be like them and to keep being involved in trying to make an actual difference on campus. And I think being in ODK and seeing the recognition for all the hard work you put in, all the hours of extracurriculars, and trying to make a legitimate difference on campus is really important because I think as students, we all experience imposter syndrome. I think that gaining recognition and then gaining a network of other students who are also leaders in their respective backgrounds is just a unique experience. Q: When did you get into ODK? I was inducted in fall of 2021. Q: What did getting into ODK mean to you? It was definitely a proud moment for me because I felt like I was being recognized for the amount of time and energy I’ve put into different organizations. I felt like there were a lot of people who were in ODK that I looked up to as a younger student, and I grew up throughout college wanting to be like them and achieve the same kinds of things that they did or reach the same levels they did. It was a nice recognition of my hard work, and it was a personal goal of mine to be like some of the people in ODK I had idolized previously.
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historically viewed almost as an enemy. I wanted to change that perception of the role and SUSA as a whole. I think through that role, I was able to do that by revitalizing a lot of outdated systems and building relationships with our constituent club leaders and with the rest of my board. I think a lot of what I’ve learned as SUSA vice president, I have taken to my other roles. This experience has given me a newfound knowledge of the inner workings of the Robert H. Smith School of Business, which I think is super important for a role like DSAC where you have to know a lot more to effectively drive strategic initiatives. Q: Why did you apply to join ODK? I heard about ODK from a member who graduated last year, and I knew I wanted to join the organization. I think ODK is a cool community of people who do so many things and are so involved on campus that it’s a great opportunity to meet fellow leaders. Q: When did you get into ODK? I was inducted in spring of 2022
Ishaan Kapur Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself! My name is Ishaan. I am a senior Accounting and Finance dual degree student at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. I am from Clarksville, Maryland. My previous internship experience was in public accounting, but I’m thinking of changing into more of an analyst-type role (I’m not entirely sure yet). Some of my interests include watching tv, hanging out with friends, and going to Looney’s. Q: What are you involved in on campus? On campus, I am a part of the QUEST Honors Program. I am the co-lead of Quest Recruiting, which is one of the seven student organizations within QUEST. I’m also a Smith Ambassador for the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Additionally, I am an Honors Ambassador for the Honors College. I’m also on the Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC) for the Robert H. Smith School of Business and am a teaching assistant for an introductory to finance course. Q: Which involvement has been the most meaningful to you and why? The most meaningful experience was the Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA). I served as vice president of administration for SUSA. This was meaningful because it was something I had wanted to achieve for a long time. I applied for the role my freshman year and didn’t get it. So I joined the committee instead and re-applied for the vice president role later. I got the role and joined the executive board. I had a lot of ideas and visions on how to improve the role. It focused very much on constituency requirements and had been
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Q: What did getting into ODK mean to you? Getting into ODK, I felt almost validated about all the work I had done and was finally being recognized on a broader scale than just my peers in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. People in ODK are such impactful leaders, and choosing to induct me into the Sigma Circle meant that they felt that my experience was also impactful to the people around me.
Spending most of her time in the scholarship pillar is Shane Querubin, a senior Environmental Science and Technology major with a Sustainability minor. Shane is a research assistant, a connect mentor in the Gemstone program, and serves as her college’s advisory council events chair. She recognized that, “For this pillar, sometimes being a leader isn’t as apparent . . . because you might not necessarily be a president, and that’s what people look at right away.” However, working on research carries with it immense responsibility, especially when working on a team.
A Broken Cookie Cutter: Dismantling the Stereotype of Leadership By Kayleigh Gallagher
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see the word “leader?” Is it a president leading a country? Or a CEO of a company? Or perhaps the name of this publication! The image of one strong individual solely leading a group of people to a common goal pops into our minds. While this can be a great image of leadership, it is not all-encompassing. This narrow view of leadership can have a negative impact on those who do not fit into a cookie-cutter example of a leader. Trying to fit into a mold that does not and should not apply to everyone limits people’s potential and self-confidence. Every person has had their own unique experience in being a leader, big or small, whether it be leading your Model UN team to victory or giving an uplifting speech to your soccer team during halftime. Here in ODK, our members represent five different pillars of leadership: Scholarship; Athletics; Campus or Community Service, Social and Religious Activities, and Campus Government; Journalism, Speech, and the Mass Media; and Creative and Performing Arts. I wanted to take a look at some of the diverse leaders we have in our circle to highlight the different ways leadership presents itself. I was fortunate enough to be able to talk with a few members of the Sigma Circle to learn about their experiences with leadership in their respective pillars.
While working as a research assistant, Shane feels she has learned the most about being a leader. From time management skills, technical writing, and most importantly learning that it is ok to ask for help, she has confidently grown into a stronger leader through her academic experiences. In a larger context, Shane has noticed how scholarship is taking the lead in fostering a welcoming environment for diversity and equity. “They recognize McNair as an organized summer research program which is an organization that supports students that are under-represented minorities,” Shane told me, while also highlighting various awards such as the OMSE and Nyumburu awards that support multi-ethnic students. Listening to Shane’s experience makes it clear that leadership in scholarship is more than simply doing well in classes. Instead, working in research and immersing herself in an academic environment has given her leadership skills and experience that will be essential once she has stepped out of the educational bubble. Coming from the creative and performing arts pillar is Katie Rees, a senior double major in Theatre and Government and Politics with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Disability Studies. Katie spends her time performing in musicals and plays at The Clarice, serving as a teaching assistant for the Arts Scholars program, and acting as the treasurer for The Muses, an all-female identifying led theatre troupe. Katie shared that, “Leadership in the arts has a lot to do with empowering other artists in their field and paving the way for artists to do their art. The arts have a special way of bringing out the humanity in people, which is why I think it makes them natural leaders.” Being involved
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with theatrical productions can be a lot more time and energy-consuming than some realize. Katies explains that rehearsals are, “a little under 5 hours every day for a month and a half. You also have hours of research, character work, scene work, and more for your classes. Leadership is constantly needed when things get tense in show business and when you are constantly working with each other - it’s taught me a lot.” Outside of acting, theatre is an incredibly collaborative process involving directors, designers, crew, shop members, and beyond. In every step of the rehearsal process and final performances, you will find people working together to bring to life the best show possible. Lastly, I spoke with Jessica Nguyen, a senior double major in Government and Politics and Public Policy with minors in Spanish and Asian American Studies, whose main pillar is Campus or Community Service, Social and Religious Activities, and Campus Government. Jessica is involved on campus as a Resident Assistant, the president of the Asian American Student Union, and the director of public relations for the Filipino Cultural Association.
The Importance of Diversity in Leadership By Raj Ukondwa
As our campus announces and executes new initiatives emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion, I think we should reflect on the stories and experiences of leaders within ODK, who hold leadership positions historically not held by people of color at our University. I was able to sit down and interview some of ODK’s diverse members and really delve into their thoughts and feelings on what diversity in leadership means to them. I first talked with Amy Rivera (she/her), a senior Government and Politics and Criminology double major and Latino Studies minor. Amy is the president of Political Latinx United for Movement and Action in Society (PLUMAS). She noted how, for the majority of her life, she always saw Women of Color in leadership positions which allowed her to have strong confidence going into college about her capabilities and skills as a leader within UMD. Amy noted during her freshman year, seeing people of color hold positions with grace and passion was a huge inspiration for her. She went on to describe the importance of other people of color leaders in giving PLUMAS support from a range of different organizations across our community. One of the
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She believes this pillar is unique in that, “it’s based in community building with the greater UMD campus. It brings folks together with different interests across different majors and disciplines.” For Jessica, being a leader is rooted in fostering a thriving campus community and sharing a common passion with a diverse group of people. “I think the other pillars rely on a certain strength or skill set to succeed. This pillar is driven by a love for community and is more inclusive for a lot of different types of people.” I only talked to three of what I am sure are hundreds of campus leaders at the University of Maryland, but I have already seen some vivid pictures of what leadership can look like. I am constantly impressed by each person I meet and the vibrant lives they lead. I can only imagine what other stories and experiences are out there on our campus and beyond. Leadership truly is a more complex idea than it may seem at first glance, and I hope that with this article I have begun to dig a bit deeper into what it can mean.
biggest accomplishments that Amy recounts from her time in PLUMAS was creating a strong coalition between Asian American Student Union, NAACP, Black Student Union, and International Student Union. This coalition was a family that cared for the other organizations’ larger issues, but also the leaders of those organizations as individuals. Next, I was able to interview Shreya Vuttaluru (she/ her), who is a senior Government and Politics and Criminology double major and Geospatial Information Science (GIS) minor. Shreya noted how seeing other people of color was super important to her: it gave her the push she needed to put herself in spaces she felt she didn’t belong in until then. Starting to see people of color accomplishing just as much as a straight white man was truly inspiring to her. There was also ease in being able to communicate with people of color in her various positions, which allowed her to grow and feel supported within her organization. These stories highlight the value and insights that can come from devoting the time and resources to having more diverse leaders within our community. Throughout my time at Maryland, being able to see such strong and committed trailblazers accomplish goals I didn’t even know were possible has only inspired me to be the best leader possible on campus.
Growing in Good Time: One Senior’s Reflection By Amber Wang
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” - Annie Dillard I’ve been sitting with that quote a lot lately. It’s from Annie Dillard, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author from Pittsburgh, and when I first read it, I had to pause and reread it a couple of times more before it fully sank in. It’s such a simple concept, but one that’s so easy to forget in the daily juggle of schoolwork, jobs, and having a social life. This is especially true of college. Coming to the University of Maryland from the sleepy suburbs of Delaware was certainly a culture shock for me. My mentality through high school and early college was always to work as hard as possible now to reap the rewards later. Freshman year was a hectic rush to make friends, join clubs, and live out the glamorous promise of movies like Pitch Perfect and Legally Blonde. Like so many of us, I began trying to do not only more, but the most activities I could squeeze around my 17-credit schedule. But then the pandemic ate away my sophomore year, and I lost motivation, connection, and direction; junior year, at least for me, was a constant quest to rediscover how to lead, work, and coexist in person again. Tema Okun, an author whose ideas I’ve had the pleasure of discovering in my gender studies classes, gives us different frameworks for leadership that subvert the go-go-go mentality that so many of us strapped-for-time students have developed. She proselytizes built-in reflection time, realistic timelines, and an emphasis on quality over quantity. Her work promotes group responsibility for leadership and the understanding that not everyone works in the same ways or needs to fit cookie-cutter molds. As president, it doesn’t matter that my mock trial program makes it to nationals if everyone on the team plans to quit immediately after the competition because they’re no longer having fun. In the past few years, we’ve seen enormous shifts in our work environments, in our financial situations, and in ourselves. We’ve seen phenomena like the Great Reshuffle, the mass voluntary resignation of workers since early 2021, which suggests that people are realizing that they’re fundamentally unhappy with how things have been. Dealing with those changes in a fulfilling and effective way has necessitated adjusting how I think about leadership and how I want to live my life. So how should we spend our days as leaders? I definitely can’t answer that, but maybe we can draw on Okun’s work to begin trying. For some of us, it’s by spearheading school wide initiatives to improve our campus. For others, it’s by cultivating programs that attract, welcome, and make people want to stay in our communities. Yes, let’s be effective. Let’s be decisive, bold, and strong. But let’s also find time to be slow, gentle, and flexible. Let’s take this time to make sure we feel fulfilled in what we’re doing — and perhaps if that’s how we spend our days, we’ll always find ourselves proud of how we are spending our lives.
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How to Exhibit Your Leadership Skills at an Entry-Level Job By Nyah Stewart
You have just received your Bachelor’s from the University of Maryland and are about to enter the workforce. Or, maybe you are completing graduate school and stepping into your career. Perhaps you are just switching jobs. Whatever it is, you are the new hire, which means you are somewhat of a freshman in college all over again. Like an 18-year-old starting fresh at a large university, questions might be racing through your mind. What are some ways I can get involved? Will I be able to make a mark in my field? How can I become a leader at work? At this moment, you are probably not the boss at your workplace, and you might not have a hefty job title that designates you as a leader by name, but that is okay! Being a leader has nothing to do with the title. Leadership is more of a skillset, one which you have most likely already gained throughout your experience at UMD! Already possessing the leadership skills needed to get involved and make your mark at work, the next step is putting those skills into action. Here are five simple ways you can exhibit specific leadership skills in the workplace: 1. Listen and Learn: Listening to lectures and learning class material is a skill that is almost second nature and therefore overlooked. Yet, you can apply these skills to become a leader at your job! Listening to others’ inputs and learning from feedback shows your dedication to your team and work. Listening and learning are simple ways to build trust and respect between you and your coworkers. 2. Include Everyone: Make a point to include everyone in conversations, relevant decisions, or meetings. Including everyone could be as simple as asking what someone thinks during a discussion or following up with your colleague one-on-one for their opinion. Noticing who is included (or not included) in the conversations, decisions, and meetings demonstrates your team-building capacity. Encouraging others to participate or seeking out others’ thoughts shows that you can be a motivator. Just think about the time you were a lead for a group project or the head of a committee in your club at UMD—including everyone always made the outcome of your group’s efforts better, and your job is no different! 3. Communicate Clearly: It is no secret that great leaders communicate well. The foundation of working well in teams is communication. The ability to communicate efficiently in a way that others understand lets everyone on the team be on the same page about expectations, decisions, and plans. Effective communication prevents mishaps and
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misunderstandings. You have gained communication skills throughout your college experience, like simply raising your hand in class, giving a presentation, or training new employees at your campus job. Good communication is a skill that is always needed and easily practiced. 4. Take On Responsibility (and Sometimes Give It Up): Leaders have greater responsibility. That is a fact. Therefore, you can exhibit your leadership ability by taking on initiatives, volunteering to help out, or agreeing to be a part of a project. However, good leaders also know when to give up responsibility, which means you do not have to do everything on your own. Know when you have taken on too much, when you need to ask for help, and when you could decline an offer. Finding the balance between taking charge and working alongside others shows that you are cognizant of your strengths and weaknesses. Think of a time when you took on an executive role, yet also think of when you asked for help to complete a task. Saying yes, but also saying no, are both valuable skills. 5. Do Your Best Work: We have all heard the phrase, “lead by example,” because it is the surest way to demonstrate your leadership. Giving your tasks your all illustrates that you care about your work. Paying attention to detail, meeting deadlines, and trying your best, show that you believe in your workplace’s mission. At school, doing your best looks like spending extra time on assignments, staying late to help others clean up after events, or simply attending every club meeting you can. Everyone’s best looks different, but the impact of doing your best will be noticed and felt by those around you. There are many more ways to exhibit your leadership besides these five ways. You can test these ways out or create your own. It does not necessarily matter how you show your capacity to lead—what does matter is that you try to show that capacity in the first place. Simply trying to illustrate your leadership skills will help you answer some of the questions you may have when starting a new job. You will be involved. You will make your mark. You will be a leader at your workplace.
Listen and Lead By Samantha Tang
One thing that great leaders can always agree on is that we are never done learning and growing. Every day we learn from those around us and, if we are lucky, we can learn from those who have gone before us. On the topic of leadership, we are so very fortunate as many successful leaders have chosen to leave us morsels of the wisdom they have gathered in the form of podcasts. Many of us ODKers are constantly moving to run campus-wide events, a company, or a home. It can be hard to find time to sit down to read or learn in a more traditional pen and paper way. However, podcasts allow us to learn about leadership in a hands-free way when we are driving to our next event, exercising, doing our household chores, or while we are doing work for school or our jobs. If you think that you can find a way to fit podcasts into your life, we have collected a list of the top five essential leadership-based podcasts to get you started. While all on the topic of leadership, each of the podcasts listed below has its own voice and serves various audiences. While you may not be the target of the speaker, there is much to be gained from listening to each. 1. Dare to Lead Brene Brown’s podcast, Dare to Lead, is based on her New York Times #1 Bestseller of the same name. It contains a mix of solo episodes and conversations with “change-catalysts, culture-shifters, and as many troublemakers as possible” according to Brown. The podcast aims to be a couragebuilding playbook for leaders of all levels. Be sure to give it a listen if you are ready to “show up, step up, and dare to lead.” 2. Coaching for Leaders Dr. Dave Stachowiak, the founder of a global leadership academy and a leader of fifteen years at Dale Carnegie, has produced weekly episodes of Coaching for Leaders since 2011. The podcast features best-selling authors, expert researchers, deep conversation, and regular dialogue with listeners. A selection of episodes is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, but listeners can access the entire episode library with a free membership at coachingforleaders.com. 3. Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast Whether in your church or your business, Carey Nieuwhof, former lawyer and founder of Connexus Church in Ontario, has created a podcast to help you lead like never before. It focuses on leadership, change, and personal growth. Tune into the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast to hear interviews with top business and church leaders. 4. Women Taking the Lead No matter your gender identity, much can be learned from executive leadership coach Jodi Flynn’s podcast, Women Taking the Lead. On the podcast, Flynn interviews women who have achieved success in leadership roles as well as men who help women develop their leadership. Episodes include insights into leadership, professional development, and personal growth as well as “on-air” coaching for women encountering common professional challenges. This podcast is great for those looking to overcome self-doubt and lead with confidence, integrity, and a sense of humor. 5. At the Table In his podcast, At the Table, Patrick Lencioni invites you to sit across the table from him to discuss leadership and business. Covering topics ranging from culture to teamwork to building organizations, this author, pioneer, and leadership expert takes on a simple and approachable style to give actionable advice to leaders everywhere. Be sure to listen in to absorb his wisdom, humor, and insight.
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Fearlessly Forward: The Bold New Strategic Plan at the University of Maryland By Ethan Jenkins
Earlier this year, the University of Maryland reached its $1.5 Billion goal on the Fearless Ideas campaign that helped define a generation of Terps’ experiences on campus. With the announcement of this milestone, all eyes turned to the University with one question: “what’s next?” The Administration swiftly responded with the new strategic plan for the University of Maryland - Fearlessly Forward - with pillars of reimagining learning, partnering to advance the public good, investing in people and communities, and taking on humanity’s grand challenges. While it would be easy to talk about what these pillars mean conceptually, the University has already accomplished great feats that exemplify its new mission. To reimagine learning, the University has broken ground and set plans for a handful of new learning facilities on campus to provide cutting-edge education to Terps across campus. Available to students this fall semester, the new School of Public Policy building is opening its 77,000-square-foot facility for needed exploration of public issues in the pursuit of the common good. Right down the street, the new 103,000-square-foot Chemistry building has broken ground to provide two core research facilities, 34 labs, and dozens of collaborative spaces to reshape the way we learn and think about the sciences. In the world of engineering, the E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory opened its doors this fall to help address society’s grand challenges and promote the skills, values, and experiences needed to do so. Now home to the Startup Shell, the Center for Student Innovation, and the Robotics and Autonomy Lab, this state-of-the-art facility is giving students the space and resources to take on and solve today’s greatest problems.
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In the past year, the University has boasted many accolades; they are a pioneer in perfecting the student experience. The most recent U.S. News & World Report placed 19 of the University’s academic programs in the top 25 programs in the nation, spanning across the schools of engineering, business, and computer science. On top of this achievement, Forbes magazine placed the University 14th overall amongst all public universities in the nation, touting the University of Maryland’s world-class education at a competitive price. Other highlights include 8th overall for Black or African American undergraduates who later receive a doctorate, 4th among public universities for undergraduate entrepreneurial education, and 1st overall among graduate schools for criminology and counseling services. The University has been taking steps to lift every corner of campus to provide every Terp with an education they can be proud of for decades to come. The University of Maryland recently launched the TerrapinSTRONG initiative to create a shared vision and values for the entire campus centered on improving the sense of community, connection, and inclusion. This process led to an onboarding program that was completed by tens of thousands of students, faculty, and staff. As a cornerstone of this initiative, the University dedicated the new living community on North Campus as the “Heritage Community”. This community boasts the new resident halls Pyon-Chen and Johnson-Whittle. The names of the resident halls pay homage to: Pyon Su, the first Korean student to receive a degree from any American college or university; Chunjen Constant Chen, the first Chinese student to enroll at the Maryland Agricultural College; Elaine Johnson Coates, the first African American female to graduate with a degree in education; and Hiram Whittle, the first African American male to be admitted to our university. Also included in the Heritage Community is the Yahentamitsi dining hall, named in the Piscataway Tribe’s native Algonquian language, which means “a place to eat”. Introduced on South Campus was the Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza as an important part of recognizing and honoring our past and the trailblazers who came before us. With the new strategic plan in effect for about eight months now, the University has already hit the ground running on reinforcing its four pillars of Fearlessly Forward. With the construction of a handful of buildings and the strategic support of student interests, the University is putting one foot in front of the other to make College Park a diverse and innovative powerhouse. With the world rapidly changing, the University of Maryland is not left in the past, but rather moving fearlessly forward.
The City of College Park: An Evolution By Maddie Schattenfield
When I first walked through campus four years ago as a high school senior, the prospects of what College Park had to offer excited me: the uniformity of the brick buildings, four to five different bars just outside of campus, the classic Chapel overlooking Route One, and of course, The Fountain. For my father, however, as a proud member of the University of Maryland Class of 1982, that walk was much less about me exploring my new home and more about him reminiscing about his time here and then subsequently “ooo-ing” and “ahh-ing” at all the changes. I can’t blame him. Already so much has changed on campus since that first walk and so many more changes are to come. So, I wanted to take this opportunity to connect with my father and dive into how the City of College Park has and will continue to evolve.
The Past I think I can confidently say that every student on campus has had at least one scoop of ice cream from Maryland Dairy. Today, Maryland Dairy is a staple item at many catered events and a popular stop for anyone visiting the university. However, back when it was opened in 1924, the Maryland Dairy was better known as “The Dairy Bar.” Sitting right off Route One, where the Visitor’s Center is now, The Dairy Bar was a major attraction for anyone passing through College Park. Better yet, the cows that
produced the milk used to make the ice cream mooed steps away from the Bar itself! My father notes their milkshakes used to be, “the cure of the Gods!” Similar to visiting Maryland Dairy, the College Park nightlife is another vital experience for many college students. Every weekend you will find lines of people up and down Route One, waiting to get into the bars. Now known as Cornerstone, located on the corner of Route One and Knox Road, the “Vous” (short for Rendezvous) used to be the heart of off-campus nightlife back in the 1970s. At the very thought of it, my dad seems to recall the distinct smell of the Vous, a smell which I’m sure many of us are familiar with. To the south of the Vous, stood the classic R.J. Bentley’s Restaurant and Bar, which opened in 1978. Today we continue to reap the excitement that “Bent’s” offers. Across the street from Cornerstone or the Vous, is what we now know to be “Turf.” Back then, it was “The Paragon” and, according to my father, was only for locals. After a long night out or a long day of classes, it is important to have a nice place or bed to come back to. Today, the Denton, Ellicott, and Cambridge communities are home to many freshmen on campus. Given the fact that several dorms on campus still lack air-conditioning, it’s no surprise that many of these dormitories have been standing for decades. Nearly the entire Cambridge Community sits where it was previously, though they have undergone a few minor renovations. What is now the Ellicott Community and the newly-opened Heritage Community, used to be the “Poultry Range.” And while Easton and Denton Hall have maintained their locations on campus, they welcomed the addition of Elkton Hall in 1965. On the southern side of campus now sits the seven South Campus Commons buildings. Alongside that
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end of Knox Road, my father recalls the infamous “Knox Boxes” houses that used to sit there. Up until these past two years, there were still some standing; however, they have since been knocked down to accommodate the new Aspen Heights apartments, set to open in 2023. While much has changed regarding housing for UMD students, much has stayed the same. Notably, all of the residence halls were named the same names as they are called today and, even if renovation occurred, are located in the same place they originally sat. The University has only recently diverged from its theme of naming dormitories after cities in the state of Maryland. Additionally, of course, many buildings have maintained the classic brick walls. I enjoy the uniform look when walking through campus, but as more and more buildings get added to campus, I notice a shift toward a more modern look. Overall, looking into College Park’s past bridged a gap between my own and my father’s experiences, and might dare I say that I have grown a new appreciation for those relic-like halls.
The Future Let’s be honest. You can’t walk to class without running into some sort of construction on campus. But with all that construction comes new spaces, new buildings, and new opportunities. Most notably, the campus saw the addition of the new “M-Circle,” in preparation for a new Purple Line light rail designed to stop in front of the
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Stamp Student Union and go through Campus Drive. Many concerns have been voiced regarding its impact on the walkability of campus, as the light rail will be above ground and travel through the center of campus, as well as the safety of students on campus. Will anyone taking the light rail be allowed to hop off the line onto campus? What kind of security is there? The Purple Line is set to open in 2026, so, unfortunately, we won’t be getting rid of the large orange construction barriers anytime soon. Also, this past spring, the E.A. Fernandez Idea factory opened right next to the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building. With a modern design and slim exterior light fixtures, it sets itself apart from the classic brick buildings on campus, letting us get an idea of the architectural design of any future buildings. In front of the Memorial Chapel that sits atop the open chapel hill, the University is working on remodeling a new public policy building that controversially cuts the northern end of the hill short. While the new public policy building also showcases much of this new modern architecture, it does still maintain some of the classic brick, of which I am a fan. So much more has taken shape over the past few years, yet I can only capture so much. These additions and renovations open new doors for what on-campus life looks like for students, but my only hope is that they find ways to stick with tradition. After all, a lot has stayed the same for UMD since the 60s and 70s.
Going Green or Greenwashing? By Shane Querubin
The University of Maryland has pledged to become a net carbon-neutral campus by 2025. The University had accomplished its original goal of halving its emissions by 2020, two years before anticipated. Currently, the University plans to lower emissions even more in the next few years by committing to a zero-emissions vehicle fleet by 2035. Our Dining Services were also the first to adopt the Sustainable Food Action Plan and Cool Food Pledge (cut 25% of food-related emissions by 2030) in October 2012, where the campus diners have worked towards sustainable food and packaging. However, there is still a long way to go; we emit 124,258 million tons of carbon dioxide each year – note that this is a decrease of 62% since 2005. To combat our carbon emissions, the campus has purchased carbon offsets, such as the tree canopies around campus that can store 21,772 million tons of carbon dioxide. Permeable areas cover 66% of the total campus area, equating to about 886 acres of permeable land that reduces harmful runoff to our watersheds. Renewable energy is also a contributing factor since 68% of our energy demand is provided by renewable resources. Alternative transportation in the form of Shuttle-UM rides and Bikeshare programs also lower emissions with three million rides and 11,460 bike riders. With the new composting program, we have also been able to compost 507.7 tons. Green cleaning products and recycled paper have been considered as well. Not only is the University addressing these great challenges through infrastructure, but they are also hoping to reach more students through outreach efforts. The Office of Sustainability and their Green Terps can be seen at the Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and tabling all over North Campus when the freshmen first move in. One event had the Green Terps handing out little recycling bins for students to put in their rooms since one is typically
only found in residence hall corridors. They also reward students who complete a checklist of sustainable actions with fun prizes like bamboo cutlery and recyclable bags. Additionally, the inclusion of a Sustainability Studies Minor has proven to be successful. With 300 students enrolled and 806 awarded since 2012, this minor has been taken up by students of various majors. There are also opportunities to be a Sustainable Teaching Fellow, and there have been 210 participants since 2011. Research groups can also be funded through the Sustainability Fund, and in 2021-2022, seven projects were awarded $200K to increase sustainability efforts on campus. It is clear that the campus is striving for a greener campus, but some organizations on campus think that it is not enough. Greenwashing refers to when organizations make misleading claims about the positive effects of their
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if a tailgate or large event just occurred on campus. During densely populated weekends, the trash cans are filled to the brim, and many bags of trash are left on various parking lots across campus. And although the new composting program is appreciated, this endeavor has had its challenges in the sustainability community since composting receptacles are not found in every building like trash and recycling bins are. Compost bins are not found in South Campus Commons or Courtyards where students are more likely to cook and have much food waste and compostable materials.
efforts or products. Groups of students felt this act was taking place when the destruction of Guilford Woods, one of the few patches of forest left near campus, was being considered. Students formed a coalition, hundreds gathered on McKeldin Mall holding signs to “Save Guilford Woods”, and wrote petitions to stop the development. The University has paused the anticipated housing project from moving forward, thus students having found success in their efforts, though many found the claims about a lack of scientific evidence for the importance of the space to the environment to be of concern. The Sustainable Ocean Alliance, a student-led club at UMD, is also overwhelmed by the amount of trash they collect at their weekly clean-up on North Campus. Within one hour, around 4-6 bags of trash and 2-3 bags of recycling are picked up – sometimes even more so
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Construction is also prevalent all over campus and has grieved students. Not only is it inconvenient, but construction also contributes to polluted runoff, greenhouse gas emissions, and more waste. The continued development on and around campus is not environmentally friendly. These buildings would have to be very eco-friendly if they were to offset the impact of their construction. Speaking of the infrastructure on campus, a great contributor to our failures is the careful care for the grass on campus. Grass looks nice and can be a great space for students to relax and play games, however, grass is costly to the environment. To achieve this uniformly green grass: pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers are used in abundance. These chemicals are harmful to humans and the environment and can be mobilized by storms into nearby water bodies like Paint Branch Creek. Although the efforts and commitments by the University are greatly appreciated, us students and the University need to work on becoming more environmentally friendly. The University should give platforms to these students and amplify their voices even more as we continue to see the consequences of climate change all over the world. We have a large footprint on our beloved Chesapeake Bay, so we have to be mindful of our actions and the consequences that come with them. Education, outreach, and action will have to be undertaken in every corner of campus to be successful.
PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A GIFT TO ODK Your support of Omicron Delta Kappa will not only help offset the cost of honoring the university’s best and brightest students, but will support the educational and leadership development programs that ODK sponsors, including the ODK Lecture Series, ODK Scholarships, and awards, like the annual Col. J. Logan Schutz Leader of the Year award. Click here to give to the ODK Discretionary Fund or send a check, made payable to the University of Maryland, College Park Foundation, to: Omicron Delta Kappa Sigma Circle 7999 Regents Drive 2108 Clarence Mitchell Building College Park, MD 20742
CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE ODK SIGMA CIRCLE WITH A CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP! Sponsorship benefits include the opportunity to network with ODK members and alumni, speaking opportunities, recognition at ceremonies and receptions, tabling at signature UMD events, brand awareness in our online media, and invitations to our programs. Please contact us for more information: Lydia Nicholson, Associate Director for Development & External Relations 301-314-1336 | lydian@umd.edu
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Stewards of the Fountain 2012-2013 ODK Executive Officers 2014-2015 ODK Executive Officers 2016-2017 ODK Executive Officers 2018-2019 ODK Executive Officers Adam Chepenik Alden Gross Ann Tatsios Mowrey Barry Gossett Bob Stumpff Brian Bayly and Susan Bayly Brooke Supple and Matt Supple Bruce J. Winter Carl Tretter Caroline Carrick Pisano D. Stuart Bowers Dawn Nichols Deven McGraw Devin Ellis Dru Bagwell Eric S. Francis Eric Young and Julia Young Hillary Cherry Mintz and Doug Mintz James E. Bond James Osteen James Rychner Jason Ward and Joana Ward Jeff Hathaway Joan Meixner Joel Willcher Joseph Tydings
Katherine Pedro Beardsley Kelly Kish Kenneth Brown Kevin Kruger and Lisa Hanson Khalil Pettus Kyle Beardsley Lance Governale Lee Thornton Marc Greenberg Marc Solomon Mark Sobel Michael Freiman Nick Kovalakides Norman M. Wereley Paul Mandell and Lisa Mandell Phil Aronson Phil Livingston Phil Schneider and Joyce Schneider Philip Rever Rick Jaklitsch Sara Brooks Sue Briggs Susan Wachs Goldberg and Bob Goldberg Terry Flannery Terry Zacker and John Zacker The Honorable Gordon England The Kenny Family Wayne Willoughby and Gail Smelkinson Willoughby William Fourney Zimri Diaz
Member Highlights John C. Ford ‘64 provided the Spring 2022 commencement address for the School of Theatre, Dance, & Performance Studies. Bob Ritter ‘68 published “Did You Choose Your Parents?: A Secret Service Agent’s Quest to Break the Presidential Curse”. David Steele ‘85 is serving as a member of the advisory board for the Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism in the Merrill College of Journalism and published his third book “It Was Always a Choice: Picking Up the Baton of Athlete Activism”. Monisha Arya ‘94 published “The Must-Have Guidebook for Writing, Publishing, and Presenting: 150 Pro Tips for Career Success”.
In Memoriam Lt. Col. Rix Marion Mills ‘66 passed away on July 4, 2022. Rix was a career intelligence officer, first in the Air Force, then as a civilian officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency in The Pentagon. Rix graduated from UMD with a degree in Government & Politics and Spanish in 1966. Rix was a Vietnam War veteran and served assignments in Thailand, Germany, Spain, Nebraska, and Virginia. Post retirement, Rix was an advisor for three years to the Afghanistan Ministry of Interior and MInistry of Defense. Rix leaves his wife, Gloria, a son, and four grandchildren.
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2108 Clarence Mitchell Building 7999 Regents Drive University of Maryland College Park, Maryland 20742