ODK - The Leader - Spring 2023

O M I C R O N D E LTA K A P PA

T HE L E ADER SPRING 2023

The Checklist Every Terp

NEEDS

Best “Blank”

ON CAMPUS

Looking Back on

LEADERSHIP

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E S I G M A C I R C L E AT T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A R Y L A N D

A MESSAGE FROM THE CIRCLE COORDINATORS

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT To our Sigma Circle, Just as quickly as we entered the academic year last fall, the spring semester greeted us with hints of warmer weather and the anticipation of longer days of sunlight. It was a rewarding first semester serving as President, and I am fortunate to continue to represent the Circle in the many extraordinary endeavors within our campus community and beyond. College Park is full of life and charm, with maybe a little bit more construction than when you last heard from us. Nonetheless, as our campus continues to evolve and grow, so does our membership of new, exceptionally inspiring leaders among leaders.

Hello Sigma Circle Alums!

Greetings from College Park! We certainly hope all is well wherever you are! After a warmer winter, campus is buzzing with students and feeling like pre-pandemic times with each passing semester. What has not changed though is our continued construction on campus. Many days it is hardly recognizable from years past, but with the addition of the newly named Thurgood Marshall Hall for the School of Public Policy, the Yahentamitsi Dining Hall on North Campus, and groundbreaking of Stanley R. Zupnik Hall for the Clark School of Engineering, opportunities continue to await the university in our development of these community spaces.

I am thrilled to announce that our Spring 2023 Induction Ceremony on April 2nd will welcome the next cohort of our campus’s brightest leaders into ODK. This new class represents an incredible array of individuals who have contributed immensely to their communities, continuing to expand the definition of leadership within its infinity of perspectives.

I am incredibly thankful to the executive board and advisors for their unwavering support and effort in dedicating so much to seeing the longevity of this Circle continue to prosper. We’ve hosted an ODK Paint Night, Hot Chocolate & S’more Backyard Bonfire, Secret Snowflake, and revived our Internal Newsletter for our members to make new connections within our expansive general body. We’ve co-sponsored an Environmental Justice Lecture with Dr. Sacoby Wilson and led a Food Drive for the Campus Pantry in preparation for Thanksgiving.

Since the fall semester, our now former Vice President, Ethan Jenkins, has graduated and become a part of our vast Terrapin alumni family. Ethan worked tirelessly to ensure so much of what was accomplished in the Fall benefited the organization and its members to its utmost extent. Ethan’s dedication and charisma in his service to ODK are of admiration to us all and are equally modeled by his successor. It is with great pleasure to introduce Kassidy Jacobs as our new Vice President of ODK. Kassidy has been a force within her role and responsibilities to ODK. Having already made a lasting impression since her induction in the Fall, Kassidy is leading our selection process for our Top Ten Freshmen and Sophomore Leader of the Year Awards and I am excited to continue our collaboration throughout the spring semester.

ODK is a marvel of success and achievement. It’s incredible to see how each and every one of us, all of our differences, still come together to lead by example and distinguish ourselves from all of those around us.

It has been a busy spring for ODK thus far! We discussed nearly 200 applicants in our February selections meeting, hosted an Alumni Panel on Zoom on Work-Life Balance in Different Industries, and held the Drury G. Bagwell ODK Lecture in partnership with SEE in March with Tik Tok Influencer Chris Olsen. We continued to tap newly selected members in person during classes and student organizations and prepared for their induction which took place on April 2nd. We were honored to have selected 47 undergraduates, 6 graduates, and 6 faculty, staff, and alumni members for the Spring 2023 induction class. We are so fortunate to be able to continue to provide a variety of experiences to our members highlighting our five pillars.

Thanks to all who continue to support ODK through their time and generous financial gifts. We had a successful Giving Day at UMD on March 8th and ODK alums were some of the leading gift participants! This year, we placed a special focus on our variety of scholarships for ODK members, including the ODK Induction Scholarship. Gifts to this fund have ensured that every selected member has the opportunity to engage in the benefits and development opportunities of being an ODK member. We consistently hear about the importance and impact of these contributions to the circle, and we are so very grateful to each of you who have contributed.

Also, please save the date for the 25th Maryland Day on April 29th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. – as always, join us at the ODK Fountain to watch adorable children collect commemorative floating turtles with a special logo for the 25th Maryland Day. James McShay & Sarah Williamson ODK Circle Co-Coordinators

Please keep in touch because we love hearing from you!

“Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable. I didn’t have to become perfect because I’ve learned throughout my journey that perfection is the enemy of greatness.” - Janelle Monáe Harmoniously, Matthew Ober ‘22, ‘23 ODK President

Matthew Ober President

Renee Paulraj Communications Co-Chair

Kayleigh Gallagher Historian

Kassidy Jacobs Vice President

Nyah Stewart Communications Co-Chair

Dr. James McShay Circle Co-Coordinator

Raj Ukondwa Philanthropy & Community Service Chair

Amber Wang Recruitment & Community Outreach Chair

Sarah Williamson Circle Co-Coordinator

Samantha Tang Membership & Induction Chair

Dr. Dean Chang Faculty Advisor

Maddie Schattenfield Alumni & Member Engagement Chair

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INTERVIEW WITH ODK CIRCLE LEADER OF THE YEAR: AMY RIVERA

By Renee Paulraj ‘23 Amy Rivera (she/her) is a Senior Criminology & Criminal Justice and Government & Politics double major with a minor in U.S. Latina/o Studies. Throughout her time as an undergraduate student, she has served the campus community in a variety of leadership roles. She is President of the Political Latinx United for Movement and Action in Society (PLUMAS), Historian of the Latinx Student Union (LSU), a Resident Assistant (RA), a Student Advocate in the Undergraduate Student Legal Aid Office, and has previously served as the Diversity & Inclusion Chairwoman of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha Inc. (IA). After graduating, she plans to take a gap year or two before attending law school. Amy plans to work in the legal field as a paralegal or as an advocate within a nonprofit organization like the American Civil Liberties Union or the Washington Lawyers’ Committee. Eventually, Amy wants to go into public service work after law school, particularly within public defense or immigration.

Take time for yourself. At the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to lead effectively if you’re not able to breathe or enjoy things anymore. Reconnect with the purpose of why you joined the organization and why you became a leader.

A big thing I had to learn once I got into leadership positions was to have fun again. I was so focused on leading

I was inducted into ODK in Fall 2021.

ODK has surprisingly impacted me a lot. I always get a bunch of emails about different leadership and academic societies on campus, but ODK stuck out to me because of the people that I knew from ODK who I already admired as leaders and individuals. When all these amazing people are in an organization, you have to wonder why is that.

Since I joined, I have been able to connect with leaders from different parts of student life that I wouldn’t have regular contact with, like people involved within athletics and the arts and other people who have very different leadership experiences on campus. So, that has been really cool to be able to connect with folk who are really open to collaborating. It’s also been really cool to see the new generations of leaders come in because once you graduate Maryland, you have to focus on your own life and expanding leadership beyond campus walls which is really scary. Seeing a new generation of leaders and knowing that UMD will be taken care of once I’m gone and it’s okay to focus on myself and my goals, and knowing that there are people who have graduated before me and different alum who are always ready to help and connect me with whoever I need to meet has been really reassuring. It’s just been really cool to be a part of that community of really talented individuals who are all really supportive. I have always faced a certain degree of imposter syndrome, but ODK

I feel like the thing that I definitely had to learn to do is prioritize. I learned when to step back from certain things when it got overwhelming. I enjoy all my involvements very much but in some of my organizations like PLUMAS, I’m the President and that takes priority over my other involvements where I may just be a member or my position isn’t as critical to the functioning of the organization. So definitely prioritizing and choosing what I really want to focus on because I don’t want to do something for the sake of doing it; I want to do it right.

Another thing is to really delegate and talk with your team members because they all have their own individual talents and capabilities, so it’s important not to feel like you have to bear the entire load on your own. Definitely lean on them when you need to. Be honest with them when you feel overwhelmed because they will encourage you and help you out.

Q: When did you join ODK?

Q: How has ODK impacted your undergraduate experience?

Q: How do you balance all your commitments and avoid burnout?

reaffirmed to me my own capabilities and how much I mean to the community. It has been a good time, the events are always fun, and it’s definitely added more to my life than I was expecting initially.

Q: What leadership experiences have been the most significant and shaped who you are?

I think the most significant leadership experience I’ve had has been being president of PLUMAS. I became president as a sophomore, which is pretty young especially because it’s an organization that has a big legacy on campus, so it’s a lot of pressure. I stepped into this role in 2020 when a lot of social justice issues were exploding throughout the country. It was a lot of pressure to do well and to meet so many different needs of the community. That definitely pushed me to my limits, but showed me how much I’m able to do if I really put my head to it and if I really buckle down and talk to folks in the community. And that has also just opened the world to me in terms of meeting people of different backgrounds and learning how to be a better ally to other communities.

PLUMAS definitely has been the biggest one. Also, being a Resident Assistant. It’s been really great seeing so many classes of freshmen and sophomores grow and develop as people. Being able to support them during the hardest parts of their college experience (which is a really transformative time in their life) has been a great experience. Both positions have been really rewarding as tough as they’ve been.

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MEET OUR NEW VICE PRESIDENT Hi! My name is Kassidy Jacobs and I am thrilled to be the Vice President of Omicron Delta Kappa this semester. I am a senior from Baltimore, double majoring in Government & Politics and Criminology & Criminal Justice.

Over the past four years, I have centered my leadership on the pillar of Campus and Community Service. I have been a coordinator and volunteer with Terps For Change for four years, where I have been able to serve the campus community and engage with others on social justice issues.

I am the Vice-Chair of Student Services for the BSOS Dean’s Student Advisory Council, where I advocate for initiatives to improve the experience of low-income and first-generation college students. I have also served in

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and planning things that I wasn’t doing things on my own for fun. I definitely had to develop my hobbies over time. Painting like arts and crafts, cleaning and organizing my room, doing simple tasks that will help me feel better and allowed me to do something good without having to think too much, chatting with friends always helps, going to receive resources when you need to at the counseling center, taking walks, dancing, and listening to music.

Q: What is one piece of advice you have for current or future student leaders?

There’s this quote a mentor once gave me: “Sometimes you’re working so hard for the community you forget you’re also part of it.”

Give yourself grace. Know you’re not perfect, especially when you’re first starting off in leadership positions.

Sometimes you’re going to make bad calls, but as long as you’re able to admit your mistakes, learn from them, and grow from them, you’re going to become a stronger leader.

Always lean on your community. Reaching out to folk will not make you a weak leader; if anything, that’s what leaders should be doing. Always reconnect to why you joined an organization and why you became a leader. If it ever comes to a point where you’re not connecting with that mission anymore, then that means it’s your time to step down and let somebody step up.

various roles within the UMD Senate for the past four years as the Chair of the Student Affairs Committee and a member of the Senate Executive and Nominations Committees. Aside from these roles, I am an Education and Outreach Co-Chair for University Student Judiciary, serve as a Peer Mentor in the BSOS Advising Office, and am the Undergraduate Representative on the First Generation Success Steering Committee.

After graduation, I hope to attend law school with a focus on public interest and utilizing my legal education to advocate for underserved communities. I hope to eventually enter Maryland politics! I am so happy to have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing student leaders throughout my time at UMD, and I am excited for what comes next!

Favorite place on campus: Benjamin Courtyard Add to the ODK playlist: 21 by Gracie Abrams

THE VARIOUS LENSES OF LEADERSHIP: LOOKING BACK ONTO HOW OUR LEADERS HAVE GROWN AND CHANGED

was added to the stadium. The UMD-Penn State rivalry clearly is not anything new!

Not only has the stadium been through plenty of structural changes, but it has lived under many different names. For the bulk of its life, it was known as Byrd Stadium-named after Harry Byrd, a former University athlete, football coach, and University president. However, in 2015 the SGA proposed a name change due to Byrd’s history of supporting segregation. Former president Wallace Loh backed the movement, sending it to the University System of Maryland, which officially changed the name to Maryland Stadium.

Since then, the stadium has, once again, been rebranded as SECU Stadium as part of a 10-year deal with the credit union. Despite the name, the stadium has consistently proved to be an epicenter of sports and entertainment for students, families, and Terp fans alike!

By Raj Ukondwa ‘23 Leadership can often take on many shapes and sizes.

Historically when people said the word “leader” the immediate thought was that of an extrovert who can always command the room or a person who always makes themselves known and is the first to grab any opportunity.

There is definitely merit to the previous classification of leader. Yet, over time, the idea of what makes a leader has grown to encapsulate so much more, especially as it relates to the University of Maryland and our student body.

I had the privilege to sit down and talk with the Associate Dean in the College and Behavioral Social Sciences, Dr. Katherine Russell, (she/her) and unpack this transformation of what a leader is within our campus. Dr. Russell has had the opportunity to observe student leaders throughout her time at UMD by working very closely with the Dean’s Student Advisory Council for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) and spending several years as co-advisor for Alpha Lambda Delta honor society on campus.

One of the first major changes that Dr. Russell noted during her time here, that before, if you wanted to be a leader, the main route was to seek out and take on leadership roles.

However, now there is a lot more formal education around leadership, which serves as a framework for students who wish to create change, but may not know the first step.

Experiences such as scholar programs, living and learning opportunities, and specific leadership minors that feature leadership training allow a more formal way of teaching and supporting our future leaders instead of just learning by doing.

ALUMNI DRIVE: THE EPICENTER OF ARTS AND ATHLETICS ENTERTAINMENT AT MARYLAND

By Matthew Ober ‘22, ‘23 & Kayleigh Gallagher ‘23 Lights, Camera, Action! Or was it… Ready, Set, Hut! Regardless of your favorite medium of entertainment, Alumni Drive at the University of Maryland serves as the Terrapin cross-section of entertainment in athletics and the arts. Touchdowns, curtain calls, cheering fans, and the roar of the applause surround this western-campus corridor,

When asked what makes a successful leader, Dr. Russell noted how often great leaders possess both outstanding communication skills and a sense of purpose. Even so, these two skills can vary tremendously in the way that they are exhibited. One does not need to be an extreme extrovert to be a great communicator and have a strong sense of purpose.

Instead, the focus is on becoming someone truly passionate about making a difference, both within themselves and the greater community, to help create significant and impactful change. Good leaders show care, concern, and empathy for those they lead.

The idea of what makes a good leader has been one I have spent a long time going back and forth on. However, the one thing I have noticed throughout my years on campus is that there is oftentimes a greater sense of humility and selfreflection that comes with being a leader. Being a leader is about doing your best to shape and improve every room you enter while taking the time to understand yourself and grow from them as well.

thanks to SECU Stadium (goodbye Capital One!), the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Jones-Hill House, Ludwig Field, and the Parren J. Mitchell Art-Sociology Building.

SECU Stadium has lived through a long history of football, lacrosse, construction, and renaming. Many generations of Terps have enjoyed sitting in the stands, grabbing some concessions, and cheering on the UMD teams. The stadium opened in 1950 and replaced the previous smaller field that was located where Fraternity Row is today. During its lifespan, the stadium has undergone many renovations to increase its capacity from 35,000 to 52,000 people! However, the biggest attendance record was 58,973 during a 1975 game against Penn State in which additional temporary seating

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Across the road from SECU Stadium is the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center–home to all things performance.

The center houses the theatre, music, and dance programs and acts as a host for various entertainment events.

Constructed in 2001, the performing arts center is named after Clarice Smith, a visual artist who was married to Robert H. Smith. That is the same Robert H. Smith after which the Business school is named! The center is the largest single building to ever be constructed by the state of Maryland. Throughout the year, students and the public can experience plays, musicals, operas, recitals, concerts, and other unique events, such as an indoor skate park that was part of the NextNow Fest.

Inside the center, there are six theaters and recital halls, classrooms, and production shops. It is also home to the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library, named after Clarice Smith’s daughter. When visiting the library, anyone can take advantage of the plethora of resources, including books, scores, scripts, LPs, microfilms, and more. In addition to general materials available to be checked out, the library houses two archives: Special Collections in the Performing Arts and the International Piano Archives at Maryland.

The library is a great resource for students, researchers, and anyone interested in the arts.

Just beyond the Performing Arts Center’s music practice rooms, the glow of bright white lights can be seen just above the tree line of President’s Drive. Ludwig Field was opened in 1995 and has since been the epicenter of men’s and women’s soccer at the University of Maryland. Coupled with an outdoor track and 2008 press box addition, Ludwig

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Field has hosted NCAA tournaments, professional soccer matches, and games broadcast nationally on live television to thousands of viewers. The legacy of Ludwig Field includes Men’s Soccer’s 2018 NCAA Division I College Cup national championship, including Sigma Circle members and team players Matt and Ben Di Rosa and Head Coach Sasho Cirovski, just some of who represent the most recent athletic leadership in College Park.

Located across the parking lot is the newly renovated JonesHill House. Previously known as the Cole Field House, the new name is inspired by Billy Jones and Daryll Hill–the first Black men to integrate basketball and football at UMD. Jones-Hill House received quite an upgrade before officially opening in June of 2021. With three practice fields, its own dining hall (with a helmet-shaped pizza oven I might add), an indoor gym, pools, and a player lounge decked out with pool tables and even a barber shop, it’s safe to say the building has reached new levels of luxury! With a display of old football helmets from throughout the years, Jones-Hill House proves to be both a marker of UMD’s push toward the future of the football program as well as a homage to its past.

The end of Alumni Drive stretches to the Parren J. Mitchell Art-Sociology Building, which our leaders in the visual arts call home in this monumental brick building. The Department of Art hosts an array of spaces for the broad fields and mediums of art for students to explore and perfect their craft, including art galleries, labs, light-filled painting studios, industrial-scale sculpture shops, high-tech media labs, and digital fabrication facilities. It is common to find the spaces throughout the Art-Sociology Building to feature the newest and most contemporary art installations by students and faculty, open for the campus community and the public to view casually. Art students, like current Sigma Circle member Maya Lee, have found themselves creatively exploring the means of art in the context of ingenuity and leadership.

Alumni Drive has proven to be the central location where University of Maryland students have made history in their pursuits of the arts and athletics. Many of us studentathletes and artists on campus continue to follow in the footsteps of our alumni. The successes in this corner of campus are rich in diversity–between the stage, field, or gallery—and ODK continues to recognize the next generation who are defining leadership in their qualities of the arts and the athletics on campus.

DEFINING LEADERSHIP THROUGH A SENTIMENTAL LENS

By Maddie Schattenfield ‘23 As the time for me to step into industry grows nearer, I find myself hit with a recent mourning for childhood innocence.

As a result, I seek to watch, read, and do anything that reminds me of those fuzzy feelings I felt as a child. Coming back to those things now, as an adult, not only comforts me with nostalgia but also reveals to me a set of art that, together, built the attitudes and goals of the leader I am today and will continue to guide me as I move into the “real world”. I hope this shortened collection of work helps to remind you, too, of where you came from and all the wonderful things the art around us has to teach.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower This movie, adapted from the original book by Stephen Chbosky, follows a teenage boy named Charlie as he navigates the pressures of high school and past personal trauma. In one of the last scenes Charlie writes to the audience, “So, I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we’ll never know most of them. But even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.” As high school burdens turn into the pressures of job applications and the struggle of finding a new apartment or meeting work deadlines, I am empowered by the idea that even when it seems like we do not have a choice, we, at the very least, can choose our attitudes and the actions we take to move forward. Additionally, in my time at UMD, I’ve learned the best leaders do not only successfully move forward when the circumstances are rough, but also empower others to be resilient, too.

The Last Lecture This book was written by Randy Pausch, a computer science lecturer at Carnegie Mellon University, as his last message to the world before he died of pancreatic cancer. Each chapter of this book taught me a new lesson, but one that clearly sticks out to me is when Randy says: “I know you’re smart. But everyone here is smart. Smart isn’t enough. The kind of people I want on my research team are those who will help everyone else feel happy to be here.” Living in a small, competitive neighborhood, I had grown up with the idea that the best leaders are the ones “on top.” However, Randy reveals that the best leaders, regardless of where they are on a pyramid, create an inclusive, enjoyable, and empowering place for everyone.

Love You Forever One of my most popular bedtime stories as a child, Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, is about a mother who would always sing her son the same song goodnight even as he grew older. In the end, he sings the song to her when she gets “old and sick.”

Love You Forever connected me with my own mother as a child, and today serves as a reminder to give back to the people who helped get you to where you are today.

Hannah Montana TV Series I have distinct memories of watching Hannah Montana with my sister on the couch and eating mac and cheese. An odd memory, perhaps, but meaningful in my mind. For those who don’t know, Hannah Montana is about a young girl trying to navigate a normal life while also secretly being a famous pop star.

Watching this show helped me realize that you probably don’t know half of what somebody else’s life is like. It bestowed in me an empathy for others while at the same time teaching me other lessons in each different episode.

Good Will Hunting Good Will Hunting is a timeless movie about a boy with a genius IQ who works as a janitor at MIT. The movie discusses several topics of love, responsibility, and vulnerability and has the iconic line, “how do you like them apples.” This movie reminds me to take control of my life, capture my potential, and seize the day.

Whether or not you’ve read or seen any of these pieces of work, I urge you to connect with pieces of media on a deeper level and reflect on the things that collectively built the attitudes of the leaders you are today. I’ll leave you with a recap of all the lessons I’ve learned: 1. You always have a choice, and you’re never alone.

2. It’s less about how good you are at something and more about how good you are at helping others feel happy.

3. Don’t forget to repay the people who helped you along the way.

4. Be empathetic because you never really know what secret lives people could be living.

5. Carpe Diem.

resources, housing applications, and more, this website compiles resources for students that help to demystify undergraduate education. This website also includes information on the Academic Achievement Program, a Department that focuses on facilitating access and providing the opportunity of a college education to underserved students through academic support, counseling, and other resources.

This spring’s Second Look Fair continued advertising the #FearlessFirst campaign, with The Stamp giving away buttons for first-generation Terps to proudly display.

There were also buttons for those who are allies and advocate for first-generation students, which read “Proud First Generation Champion”. Increased visibility of this population in common spaces such as The Stamp helps to increase awareness of this group of students and form stronger bonds between the entire campus community.

FEARLESS FIRST GENERATION TERPS

By Kassidy Jacobs ‘23 November 8th, 2022 marked National First Generation College Student Day, a day to celebrate students whose parents did not attend a four-year university. This event also commemorates the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which helped to open doors to higher education for historically marginalized students. The University of Maryland held several events this past November to celebrate the twenty percent of Terps who are firstgeneration college students. UMD has even adopted its own slogan, #FearlessFirst, to create an online community of students who are in this demographic.

These celebrations included a gallery walk held by the Division of Student Affairs to highlight the stories and experiences of #FearlessFirst students. In collaboration with the University Libraries, The Stamp assisted the Division of Student Affairs in the creation of an inaugural first-generation author book collection, showcasing novels written by first-generation authors or stories that tell the experience of these students. These books are available in the University Libraries catalog, spotlighting scholars such as Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor or the critically acclaimed novelist Toni Morrison. Those who could not attend in-person celebrations were encouraged to leave their experiences and advice on the digital bulletin board available on the First Gen Terps website.

The First Gen Terps website also provides helpful resources and a glossary of terms that may be unfamiliar to firstgeneration college students. Through providing insight on work and professional development opportunities, financial

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Due to its previous work to uplift underserved students, the University of Maryland was recognized in 2021 by the Center for First Generation Student Success for its demonstrated commitment to advancing first-generation student success. After this recognition, the First Generation Student Success Steering Committee, a cross-departmental group created by the Division of Student Affairs, worked on reviewing data related to the experiences of the University of Maryland’s first-generation students and is continuing to work to create recommendations for how to enhance the success of these students.

THE BEST “BLANK” ON CAMPUS

By Nyah Stewart ‘23 The Best Libraries — The Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library -The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Building The Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library in the Clarice is an underrated study spot. Sitting on the edge of North Campus, this library offers a spacious, light-filled main reading room with individual study carrels, a lounge-style study room, and a group study room.

The library also houses a collection of musical scores, audio and video recordings, and 56,000 books!

The Art Library - Parren Mitchell Art-Sociology Building The Art Library in the Art-Sociology Building, while on the smaller side, is a great place to do homework. This library has large floor-to-ceiling windows to look outside while you study. A bit overlooked, the Art Library is rarely busy, so you’ll be sure to find a spot to sit down and get focused. In addition, the Art Library has a broad selection of resources relating to art history, archeology, and studio arts like photography.

The Best Spot to Reflect — Benjamin Courtyard - Benjamin Building The Benjamin Courtyard is directly behind the Benjamin building. A quaint garden sits in the middle of a courtyard surrounded by roofed open-air walkways and spaces with tables and chairs. In the spring and early fall, the flowers in the garden bloom, making this spot perfect for enjoying the peacefulness of being outside.

The Arches behind Jimenez Hall Located behind one of the busiest buildings on campus, the arches behind the Jimenez building offer a small hideaway. Despite the bustle of students walking to class, this spot is surprisingly silent. The arched walkway has chairs and tables for sitting still and taking a quick break from the school day.

Benches in the Garden of Reflection and Remembrance Memorial Chapel The various benches in the Garden of Reflection and Remembrance beside the Memorial Chapel make you feel like you are not on campus anymore but in a serene botanical garden. This calm and almost-secluded place is great for eating lunch or meditating. The benches also have little notebooks under them for leaving or reading anonymous messages to future visitors.

The Best On-Campus Cafes — Food For Thought - Edward St. John Learning & Teaching Center On the first floor of the Edward St. John Learning & Teaching Center, Food for Thought Cafe is a centrallylocated place to grab a quick bite or a Starbucks drink. You might even find a seat somewhere in ESJ to enjoy your snack break or lunch. Surprisingly, this place offers sushi! Students also rave about their breakfast paninis, which is a good option if you are on your way to class.

Quantum - Physical Science Complex Quantum Cafe is located in the Physical Science Complex. Dining Services notes that this spot is one of its most popular cafes on North Campus. Quantum is the obvious choice for grabbing Starbucks, a bag of chips, and maybe sitting in one of the plush red chairs outside the cafe. There is also a nice, covered, open space with tables and benches for enjoying your snack outside!

The Best All-Around Place — McKeldin Mall The best all-around place to study, eat lunch, or even reflect is McKeldin Mall. A classic and campus monument for a reason, McKeldin Mall is students’ favorite place to be when the weather is warm. You can find people lounging with their friends, picnicking, reading books, laying in hammocks, playing lawn games, and even wading in the ODK foundation. McKeldin Mall is the best place on campus by far.

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DISCOVERING THEATER AND DANCE, FROM A STEM SENIOR

By Amber Wang ‘23 Since freshman year, my experiences have been planted firmly in the northeast corner of campus, where the mathematics and science departments reside. As a computer science major, I’ve never had much of a reason to visit The Clarice Center for Performing Arts. That all changed at the start of this semester when, in true senior creditfilling fashion, I decided to take an Introduction to Tap Dance course for fun with my roommates, taught by the wonderful Gerson Lanza. But beyond providing me with many embarrassment-fueled laughs and a surprisingly good workout twice a week, the class has also introduced me to the plethora of opportunities to enjoy the arts at the University of Maryland.

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) puts on plays, dance showcases, and performances all throughout the year, populated and choreographed by immensely talented students and faculty members. I had the pleasure of attending two events in one week: the first, The Book Club Play, an official production by the school, and the second, March’s “First Friday” event, an informal space in one of the Clarice’s dance studios where anyone is encouraged to come and share their creative work.

The Book Club Play centers on six members of a book club who find themselves as the subject of a foreign documentary–an imaginary camera, the audience, watches their biweekly sessions. In the living room of Ana and Robert, played by Gracie Guzman and Tyler Crean, we watch these six friends navigate their identities through classics (and Twilight). Throughout the play, Ana’s

ZOOMING OUT

By Samantha Tang ‘22, ‘28 Zoom fatigue, as I have come to know it, describes the tiredness and burnout one experiences when overusing virtual communication platforms. Zoom fatigue expresses itself in many ways, including forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty maintaining relationships in your work or personal life, not feeling present with loved ones, frustration or irritability while at work, and physical symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, insomnia, or unexplainable pain. Zoom fatigue became a commonplace phenomenon that so many of us experienced during those seemingly endless months we were forced to work or attend school virtually. At the height of the pandemic, we often did not have a safer alternative to virtual communication, and as a result, many are still coping with the lasting negative impacts of this Zoom fatigue as we “return to normal”.

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perfectionist facade cracks as she loses control of the people that she’s boxed into characters until the filming starts. It’s a witty and charming piece, sure to excite any book lover in the audience. In particular, Courtney Simmons shines in her performance as Lily, a funny young addition to the book club circle. The play asks us what lessons we can learn from reading books about our friends, our views of the world, and ourselves.

But while I enjoyed the play, the First Friday event took my heart. With only fifteen people in the room, many of whom were TDPS professors, the performances felt more intimate and immediate. These were living, breathing ideas from students being worked out and fleshed out before my eyes.

Two were working on pieces that would be performed at an adjudicated concert next week for the American College Dance Association. Two others were alumni that had returned to dancing after a long pandemic-induced break and were rediscovering the joy of performance. Their piece was a compelling meditation on the feelings and support provided by friends when returning to a forgotten passion.

And when the organizer of the event, Professor Patrik Widrig, asked if anyone wanted to perform impromptu, I was so inspired that I almost brought out the tap shoes.

Both of these fantastic performances, though different, are testaments to the continued exploration of beautiful, difficult, complex topics through art at UMD. (And they were completely free!) For anyone still in the area, whether you consider yourself a lover of the performing arts or not, I can’t recommend enough that you take a look at what’s going on at the Clarice, as I wish I had before now.

For many, these impacts have manifested as decreased productivity and mental health. As we attempt to return to a semblance of pre-COVID normalcy, I offer some suggested techniques to reclaim the mental space Zoom may have taken from you and improve your productivity (whether at work or school). These suggestions were drawn from sources both in the business community and the mental health community.

To begin, I present methods of improving mindfulness and self-regulation shared by the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network. First, the network recommends that a person works toward being present with close friends and loved ones. Planning purposeful quality time and engaging in active listening are strong ways to foster relationships with others. Second, efforts to bring oneself more moments of calm are strongly encouraged. These include practicing breathwork during stressful situations and practicing yoga or meditation daily for improved mental health over time. Third, the network emphasizes practicing compassion by doing acts of kindness for your loved ones and community or even reading books about compassion.

Fourth, it is suggested that gratitude is a key to mindfulness.

It is recommended that you keep a gratitude journal to write something you are grateful for each day or start a daily routine of sharing three things you are grateful for in a close circle of family and friends. Fifth and finally, the network recommends reflection through journaling, creating art, dancing, or some other way of making sense of difficult emotions and finding quiet moments in the day to pause and breathe without judgment.

To round it out, I will offer some suggestions for ways to improve your mood, focus, and mental health, which will also improve your productivity. These tips and more are courtesy of Matt D’Angelo at Business News Daily. Cleaning

THE CHECKLIST EVERY TERP NEEDS: THE M BOOK BUCKET LIST

By Ethan Jenkins ‘22 Every year, thousands of Terps return to campus to learn, make memories, and leave a positive impact on the University of Maryland community. While every student may feel like they only play a small role in the larger image of what it means to be a Terp, they become a cornerstone to carrying over the traditions and successes of the hundreds of thousands of Terps that came before them. The M Book was recently reimagined to capture this essence of Maryland pride and tradition at the University of Maryland.

The M Book, provided by the University of Maryland Alumni Association, is the guide to the student experience at UMD. For many years, this book acted as the “directions” on how to be a Terp, including detailed guides on how to sign up for classes, directories for student clubs and organizations, and maps of the university. With the internet phasing out the practicality of this resource, the Alumni Association rehauled it into the “Wikipedia” of the University. The M Book now contains interesting information on the University such as haunted campus halls, notable alumni, history of our athletics, and traditions

and decorating your workspace is linked in many ways to improving your productivity. A clutter-free environment helps you think more clearly and a personalized space can provide relaxation and self-motivation. Creating a simple rather than long to-do list of your tasks can help you keep track of your responsibilities without going too far and generating more stress regarding the amount of work you may have to do. Once you have the list, it is recommended that you get the most difficult task out of the way first, as the rest of your tasks will seem less daunting by comparison. At this point, you can prioritize and delegate your other tasks.

Lastly, D’Angelo also encourages you to get off of social media and set intervals at which you will check your email or text messages so that you may turn off your notifications.

He cites Alex Moore, CEO of email productivity solution Boomerang, and states that it takes the average person 64 seconds to recover their focus after being interrupted by an email notification.

In many ways, we are all still dealing with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been so many unforeseen consequences of moving our lives almost completely into the virtual sphere, but there is hope to reclaim the mental space that was taken from us. Hopefully, these suggestions will serve as a starting point for you to pursue small adjustments to your day that can bring you more joy and improve your mental health in the “return to normal”. old and new. While there are plenty of great things to learn about UMD in the M Book, there is one section that you get to make your own: The Bucket List.

The Bucket List contains 20 must-do tasks that encompass what it means to make the most of your time as a student at the University of Maryland. This list contains items such as rubbing Testudo’s nose for good luck, getting a turtle pin from President Darryll Pines, sitting at the Jim Henson statue, and wading in our very own ODK fountain.

This bucket list not only helps new students navigate over 150 years of culture ingrained at the University, but also keeps students engaged with the University’s traditions throughout their full time at Maryland. The item that most students complete last - taking your graduation picture at the M - is one example of how the bucket list represents a journey through campus life as a student. When students complete these tasks, they not only participate in traditions that have been celebrated for decades, but they can become part of what it means to be a Terp.

What is the incentive for students to complete these tasks?

Besides getting in touch with your Terp pride, there’s some opportunities to get some maryland swag! For every 5 bucket list items completed, students can collect one of four bucket list pins. When you complete all 20 bucket list items, they also get a medallion to wear at graduation. Besides just being a fun way to show off some Maryland pride, these collectibles help show off that students have engaged with the many corners of campus and have proven themselves as true UMD tradition keepers.

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Fall 2022 Inductees Get a closer look at the Fall 2022 inductees. This class features students achieving in all five pillars. Here is a quick look at some impressive statistics:

194 Applicants 49 Selected 9 Founders of New Organizations 26 Presidents

3.898 Average GPA

26

Double Majors

28 Vice Presidents

17

Intramurals or Club Sports

Resident Assistants

2

17

Service Volunteers

Greek Life Members

7

Band or Orchestra Members

Teaching Assistants

28

Research Assistants

Maryland IMAGES Members

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FALL 2022 INDUCTEE LIST Congratulations Fall 2022 Inductees!

This past fall, the Sigma Circle inducted 55 new members into its ranks. The Fall 2022 class was a talented group with outstanding achievements in all five areas of campus. Congratulations are in order for these new accomplished Omicron Delta Kappa members:

Thank you to all the Terps who supported the University of Maryland’s Giving Day! On March 8th, 2023, ODK alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty, and staff came together to raise $3,231 for our scholarships, awards, lectures, and programs.

Hammad Baqai Natalie Bartholet Juliette Berger Elaine Berger Alyssa Bower Catherine Chua Miranda Chung Elizabeth Cohen Nichelle Columba Emmanuel Corporal Maurice Dorsey Lei Danielle Escobal Nora Fadul Vivian Flanagan Alisa Forsberg Lucas Frankle Eshna Ghosh Annabelle Grant Macy Hamlett Jean Han Dylan Hazelwood Aaliya Husain Kassidy Jacobs Sara Jain Jahnavi Kirkire Meghana Kotraiah Ananya Krishnan Mihika Kulkarni

Ilhaam Lakhani Maya Lee Kaitlyn Levin Rebecca Li Joshua Liu Aarushi Malhotra Vincente Maltagliati Madeline Martinucci James McShay Elizabeth Meyerovich Chaviva Nicholas Lisa O’Fiesh Bridget O’Toole Mark Salman Alexandra Joy Saquilayan Jacob Shakesprere Japneet Singh Casey Taira Gracie Tanner Jacob Toll Alexandros Tzamaras Aadhiti Vallatharasu Simone Volman Marilyn Yang Fatima Yazdi Eunha Yim Rachel Zozobrado

Spring 2023 Inductees Get a closer look at the Spring 2023 inductees. This class features students achieving in all five pillars. Here is a quick look at some impressive statistics:

192 Applicants 47 Selected 4 Founders of New Organizations 18 Presidents

Average GPA

21

Double Majors

23 Vice Presidents

19

Intramurals or Club Sports

Resident Assistants

7

14

Service Volunteers

Greek Life Members

10

Band or Orchestra Members

Teaching Assistants

29

Research Assistants

Maryland IMAGES Members

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3.888

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SPRING 2023 INDUCTEE LIST Introducing the Spring 2023 ODK Class On February 26th, the current members of the Sigma Circle met to select the Spring 2023 induction class. From among the many highly qualified applicants, 59 new members were selected. Congratulations, Sigma Circle Spring 2023 Inductees!

William Ahn Sam Bai Nicholas Bailey Akshaya Balaji Rebecca Barnholtz Naz Beyranvand Armaan Bhasin Pavan Bhat Jessica Boetticher Saxon Brown Carey Cameron Janna Chapman Katherine-Aria Close Sarah Cobau Sara Dawood Delyar Delavari Kristina Diaz Lynn-Marie Edwards Jules Einhorn Abigail Elson Justin Fox Rebeca Fuquen Robert Gibson Kailee Goldberg Lawrence Haavik Piper Holly Caroline Howser Hannah Klein Divya Kumar

Genaro Lavarias Sonya Leikin Yvette Lerma Jones Rachel Levine Francis Maglaqui Hailey McNinch Joe Mullineaux Marlia Nash Zoa Nicholson MaryAnne Onianwah Meghana Padmanabhan Lindsey Parker Bradley Polkowitz Jane Quackenbush Nakisa Rafiee Delara Rajabi Abhari Jawayria Rehman Ian Rosenthal Ilanit Sedek Sophia Shaw Sonya Shooshan Andrew Sien Michael Spivey Alexa Stimpson Phillip Thompkins Caroline Thorne Karoline Trovato Josephine Urrea Mira Varghese

ODK 2022 DONOR HONOR ROLL We are so grateful for all of our alumni and friends who support the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa.

Thank you for all of your continued involvement and support.

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.

Please visit our online website at https://studentaffairs. umd.edu/supportodk to learn more about our funds and how to donate or send a check, made payable to the University of Maryland, College Park Foundation, to: Sarah Williamson Circle Co-Coordinator Omicron Delta Kappa Sigma Circle 7999 Regents Drive 2108 Clarence Mitchell Building College Park, MD 20742

STEWARD OF THE FOUNTAIN SOCIETY ODK established the Steward of the Fountain program so that ODK members and alumni can contribute to the organization and the University with a gift to support the educational and leadership programs of ODK. The generosity of the Stewards of the Fountain ensure that ODK can continue to recognize achievements of student leaders and provide them with the framework to leave a lasting legacy at the University of Maryland, and their communities.

2012-2013 ODK Executive Officers 2014-2015 ODK Executive Officers 2015-2017 ODK Executive Officers 2018-2019 ODK Executive Officers Phil Aronson Dru Bagwell Brian Bayly & Susan Bayly Katherine Pedro Beardsley Kyle Beardsley James E. Bond D. Stuart Bowers Sue Briggs Sara Brooks Kenneth Brown Caroline Carrick Pisano Adam Chepenik Zimri Diaz Devin Ellis The Honorable Gordon England Terry Flannery William Fourney Eric S. Francis Michael Freiman

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 at odk@umd.edu.

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Susan Wachs Goldberg & Bob Goldberg Barry Gossett Lance Governale Marc Greenberg Alden Gross Jeff Hathaway Rick Jaklitsch The Kenny Family Kelly Kish Nick Kovalakides Kevin Kruger & Lisa Hanson Phil Livingston Paul Mandell & Lisa Mandell Deven McGraw Joan Meixner Hillary Cherry Mintz & Doug Mintz Dawn Nichols James Osteen Khalil Pettus Philip Rever James Rychner Phil Schneider & Joyce Schneider

Mark Sobel Marc Solomon Bob Stumpff Brooke Lecky Supple & Matt Supple Ann Tatsios Mowrey Lee Thornton Carl Tretter Joseph Tydings Jason Ward & Joana Ward Norman M. Wereley Joel Willcher Wayne Willoughby & Gail Smelkinson Willoughby Bruce J. Winter Gabriela Winter Eric Young & Julia Young Terry Zacker & John Zacker

Founder’s Circle (Gifts of $1,000 or more)

Mrs. Susan W. Goldberg and Mr. Robert Goldberg Dr. Katherine P. Beardsley Mr. Bruce J. Winter & Mrs. Sarita Winter Ms. Gabriela E. Winter Mrs. Linda L. Nicholas Mr. Khalil M. Pettus Dr. Sara E. Brooks & Dr. Efi Kessous Dr. Kelly A. Kish Dr. Matthew L. Supple and Dr. Brooke L. Supple Mr. Barry P. Gossett Mr. Jason A. Ward Mr. Thomas J. Ryan, Jr. Leaders Circle (Gifts of $500 or more) Mr. Zimri A. Diaz Dr. Brian S. Bayly & Susan L. Bayly, Esq. Dr. Joseph R. Schultz & Mrs. Dawn Korryn Nichols Dr. Kenneth G. Brown & Dr. Amy L. KristofBrown Dr. William G. Johnson Mr. Ralph W. Crosby Mr. W. Donald Soderberg & Dr. Faye D. Soderberg Mrs. Linda A. Koffenberger Supporters Circle (Gifts of $100 or more)

Ms. Chetachi C. Ukejianya Mrs. Sarah C. Williamson Dr. Norman M. Wereley Mr. Michael D. Fontz Mrs. Michele Barone Hunn & Richard H. Hunn, M.D. Mr. Burman A. Berger Mr. Jack P. Kaufman Dr. Terry Y. Zacker Mr. Wesley M. Chin & Mrs. Jo Ann D. Chin Nicole R. Pollard, Esq. Mr. Edmund J. Kenny & Mrs. Brooke S. Kenny Mr. Doron J. Tadmor Ms. Catherine M. Hamel Ms. Elizabeth A. Arentz Ms. Maria C. Viera Cuellar David S. Klein, M.D. Dr. David J. Lovell Dr. Philip L. Schneider

Edwin J. Whitney, M.D. Mr. Dale E. Watson Mr. James J. Rychner Mr. James R. O’Connell Mr. Miles Ross Patterson, Jr. Mr. Philip S. Aronson Mr. Pranav Saha Mr. Stephen R. Kallmyer Mrs. Julie K. Liss & Mr. Marvin Liss Mrs. Laura Elaine Dyer Mrs. Renee Edelen Cruciani Mrs. Valerie Kipnis Eisenstein Ms. Kelly Lincoln-Falcone Timmy F. Ruppersberger, Esq. & Mr. Gary D. Marino Members Circle (Gifts of $50 or more)

Mrs. Rebecca L. Kenemuth & Mr. Brad J. Kenemuth Dr. Dallas C. Kennedy, II & Ms. Michal Kennedy Dr. Drury G. Bagwell, Jr. Dr. Jan V. Sengers & Dr. Johanna M. Sengers Jared B. Goldberg, M.D. & Ms. Justine Young Mr. A. Howard Metro Mr. David M. Niezelski Mr. John A. Drager & Mrs. Joan D. Drager Mr. Paul Evasick & Mrs. Charlotte Evasick Mr. Ralph P. Conlin Mrs. Tara S. Singer Ms. Jill S. Josephson

In Memoriam Dr. Thomas Meixner ‘92 died on October 5, 2022. Thomas received his bachelor’s degrees in History of Science and Soil and Water Conservation and later went on to earn his doctorate in Hydrology and Water Resources at the University of Arizona in 1999. Thomas was a full professor starting in 2015 and became department head of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences in 2019 at the University of Arizona. He was an expert in water conservation and desert water issues, through the lens of biogeochemistry. He was an avid gardener, and loved to hike and camp. He was an expert skier, which was a Meixner family tradition growing up. He is remembered as a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, colleague, and friend.

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Thanks to all of you who keep us informed of your activities! If we haven’t heard from you recently, drop us a note and we’d love to feature your recent accomplishments! Email us at odk@umd.edu.

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Sigma Circle Contributors

Mr. Daniel L. Alpert Dr. Marc S. Bresler Mr. James E. Bond Mrs. Jill J. Rennenkampf Mrs. Roz C. Moore & Mr. L. Moore, Jr. Ms. Emily B. Guskin Miss Raakhee Sharma Ms. Alyssa J. Cobb Ms. Katrina L. Hauprich Ms. Wendy J. Moyer

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1. Mary & Stuart Bowers ‘81 2. Michele Hunn ‘85 & Family 3. Bill ‘90 & Stephanie ‘90 Meury Family 4. John Fraser ‘79 & Family 5. Doug ‘95 & Hillary ‘97 Mintz & Family

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Brad Federman ‘90 recently launched Aspire Talent Advisory, a boutique executive search firm, to meet the ongoing challenges of attracting, developing, and retaining top talent that clients are facing.

Kayla Foster ‘21 was named a Youth Impact Fellow by the Aspen Institute.

Dr. Patricia A. Perillo ‘02 was named a Senior Impact Fellow by the Aspen Institute.

Rob Garner ‘06, ‘11 was named News Chief of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center where they are charged with sharing the stories of NASA’s premier space flight center.

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2108 Clarence Mitchell Building 7999 Regents Drive University of Maryland College Park, Maryland 20742 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED