THE LEADER - ODK AWARDS - UMD ...
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O M I C R O N D E LTA K A P PA
T HE L E ADER
SPRING 2021
Honoring Leaders Among Leaders UMD Welcomes Celebrating
ODK AWARDS PRESIDENT PINES 50 YEARS OF SEE
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
1 | ODK Sigma Circle THE LEADER
MESSAGE FROM THE
CIRCLE COORDINATOR
By Brooke Supple
Dear ODK members -
By the time you read this, we will have been fighting COVID-19
for more than a year! It has been a long and winding road, and we
have worked hard to make the best of a challenging situation on
campus.
We are continuing to work together to try to keep our community safe. Students, faculty, and staff are
required to be tested every two weeks. All residence hall rooms remain singles, but we are hoping things
will look more normal next fall. Leonardtown has been converted to quarantine and isolation housing
and students are moved there as they test positive or have significant exposure to COVID-19 positive
cases. Although our positivity rates remain low, the presence of the variant in our communities has
caused some cases on and around campus. We are so grateful for the commitment of our students to
staying safe and following the 4 Maryland guidelines - wearing masks, staying physically distant, practic-
ing good hand hygiene, and symptom monitoring.
Amid all of this, we have tried to keep ODK moving forward. We have mastered virtual selections and
induction ceremonies and our tapping is being done by video. In David’s letter, he shares some of the
great events and activities ODK has planned this semester. In early April, we welcomed 58 new under-
graduate, 4 graduate, and 12 honorary inductees to the Sigma Circle. We are thrilled to welcome these
new inductees!
This week we look forward to the official inauguration of our 34th President Darryll Pines with a week
of virtual events and activities. See page 4 for more information and check out president.umd.edu/inau-
guration for more details. Although we won’t be floating turtles in the ODK Fountain on Maryland Day
this year, we hope to see you back at the Fountain for Maryland Day 2022!
We hope things look more normal this fall. We are planning for fully in-person classes and full residence
halls! We have just begun some limited vaccine distribution on campus and we hope much of our campus
population will be vaccinated by this summer.
I hope you and your families are safe and well, and that we can see each other in person again soon.
Brooke L. Supple
ODK Circle Coordinator
David Polefrone
Events & Lectures Chair Kaylee Towey
Spring 2021 Executive Officers Digital Communications Chair
Emily Berry
David Rekhtman Alumni & Member Engagement Radhika Gholap
President Chair Historian
Jacqueline Ford Sasha Marquez Dr. Brooke Supple
Vice President Public Relations Chair Circle Coordinator
Emily Brothman Megan Berry Dr. Dean Chang
Philanthropy & Community Membership & Induction Chair Faculty Advisor
Service Chair
THE LEADER ODK Sigma Circle |2
MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT
By David Rekhtman
Hello ODKers!
Now more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the
virtual environment has forced ODKers to step-up, innovate,
and lead - and I am thrilled to report that they have! The
Sigma Circle and all of its members have exemplified ODK
values while continuing to improve the campus community. Together, the executive board and
members have ensured our Circle remains vibrant, welcoming, and exceptional.
This semester, I am pleased to welcome 58 undergraduate, 4 graduate, and 12 honorary inductees
to the Sigma Circle. These 74 new members - one of the largest classes in recent history -
exemplify the very best across all five pillars and I am confident they will represent our Circle
well in the years to come.
The executive board has been hard at work throughout the year to provide engaging and
informative events for our members. In the Fall, we hosted a wonderful alumni panel about
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, and earlier this month recent graduates came
to discuss the World of Virtual Work. Additionally, our Circle was a recipient of the Maurice A.
Clay Leadership Development Initiative Grant from ODK National which funded the LinkedIn
workshop held in late March attended by current members and alumni. Our Circle also organized
a School Supply Drive to benefit a local elementary school by providing supplies for students
who have returned to school as well as those who remained at home.
The ODK Drury Bagwell Leadership Lecture Series has been used for many years to host
exceptional speakers that the entire campus could learn and benefit from. This semester, I
invite you to a conversation with Anthony Kapel “Van” Jones on May 3 at 7:00 p.m. Jones is
an American news and political commentator on CNN and author of multiple New York Times
bestselling books. His insights and experiences with politics, journalism, and the fight for justice
are unparalleled and will be discussed with the Sigma Circle and the greater UMD community.
ODK’s ability to adapt and thrive even in the face of a global pandemic exemplifies our Circle’s
important and ever-lasting presence on campus. It has been a great honor and privilege to serve
as the President of this phenomenal organization and work with the most inspiring, impressive,
and dedicated student leaders that the University of Maryland has. I could not be more grateful
for this experience and am excited to pass the baton to the next executive board in the coming
weeks.
Warm regards,
David Rekhtman
ODK Sigma Circle President
New Residence Halls Honor UMD counties in Maryland, the installation of President
Pines brought this recommendation alongside
Trailblazers other new initiatives to build a more diverse and
By Megan Berry welcoming campus community for current and
future terps. Honoring the journeys and legacies
Last December, several months after the of these individuals in this way will work to
construction of the new group of residence educate the members of our campus and larger
halls began on North Campus, UMD officially communities on the sacrifice and perseverance
announced the names of two new soon-to-be of these pioneers, as well as the advancement
residence halls. in their fields, but also exemplify their impact for
years to come.
The halls are anticipated to open in the academic
year of 2021-2022 and will house 902 first- and
second-year students in traditional single and
double rooms. The halls will also feature lounge
spaces, a bike room, and spaces for laundry and
waste-sorting. This newly constructed community
will also house a new dining hall that will feature
seating for about 1,000 students and 10-12
culinary stations. We look forward to the opening
of these new facilities and the honors they bring!
From L. to R. UMD alums, Pyon Su, Chunjen Constant Chen,
Elaine Johnson Coates, and Hiram Whittle.
For the first time since 1914, UMD has chosen to
name the halls after four individuals and trailblazers
of the UMD community who contributed
immensely to the rich diversity and culture that
defines our campus today: Hiram Whittle, Elaine
Johnson Coates, Pyon Su, and Chunjen Constant
Chen. The halls will be named Johnson-Whittle
and Pyon-Chen to honor the groundbreaking
achievements of these impactful UMD alumni.
President Pines stated that “each exemplifies
Terrapin grit, desire, and determination to succeed
against all odds. Their stories serve as valuable
examples for the University of Maryland students
of today and in the future, as we continue to
celebrate and advance diversity in our university
community.”
In 1951, Hiram Whittle was the first African
American male to be admitted to and attend
UMD while the school was still segregated, and
graduated with a degree in Engineering. Elaine
Johnson Coates was the first African American
female to graduate with an undergraduate degree
from UMD in 1959 and studied Education. Pyon
Su was the first Korean student to receive a
degree from any American college or university
in 1891 and earned a B.S. in Agriculture. Chunjen
Constant Chen was the first Chinese student
to enroll at the Maryland Agricultural College,
earning his Master’s in 1920 after attending UMD
five years earlier for undergrad before transferring
to Cornell University to finish out his B.A.. After
many years of naming new residence halls after
3 | ODK Sigma Circle THE LEADER
flavor personally made for our new President
An Unprecedented Year for a New by the Maryland Dairy. If you’d like to plan
President: A Conversation with ahead, President Pines will be at the Nyumburu
University of Maryland President Amphitheater from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at
Prince Frederick Hall from 4:40 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.,
Darryll Pines and at the Eppley Recreation Center from 5:25
By Emily Berry p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21st. This
is a great opportunity to safely welcome President
Though President Darryll Pines, Sigma Circle Pines and enjoy some amazing ice cream!
member since 2006, has been serving as our
University President for nearly ten months, A member of the ODK executive board had the
his Official Investiture will occur during his opportunity to sit down with President Pines to ask
inauguration this week. In the past, presidential some of his thoughts prior to the inauguration. The
inaugurations have involved official ceremonies interview can be found below!
with limited student involvement, primarily for the
new president to be recognized by the University What is going through your mind as you prepare
System Chancellor and the Board of Regents. This to be officially inaugurated? I imagine that the
year, because of COVID-19, the inauguration work you have already done to combat the unique
planning committee developed a week-long challenges that this position has presented since
celebration that could safely incorporate students, your appointment has made the position already
staff, faculty, and alumni. extremely tangible to you, but does the upcoming
inauguration impact your mindset at all?
“Being in COVID and having planned two virtual
commencements, we have learned a lot about Yes, partly because we’ve gone through nine
what is appealing to people and what they months of COVID-19 challenges. I think this is an
want to see,” said Brooke Supple, our Circle opportunity for us to pivot and inspire optimism in
Coordinator and member of the inauguration our collective future going forward as a university
planning committee. and to uphold the missions and values of our
institution. To me, our past year has been like no
The inauguration will take place from April year in the history of humanity. Our community
19th to April 24th; a week filled with events has suffered in the United States with two to
and activities for students and alumni. The full three pandemics; one, the pandemic associated
schedule includes a moderated panel of arts with the coronavirus; two, the long history of
and humanities experts on Monday, an event to racial injustice and social injustice in our country;
reflect on the life and legacy of David C. Driskell and three, the uncertainty in our election process.
on Tuesday, a celebration of the university’s All of this in one year, and we are still coming to
innovators, entrepreneurs, inventors, and grips with that.
creatives on Wednesday, the official Investiture
on Thursday, the annual UMD Alumni Association But, fortunately, the way I look at it is, this is a
awards ceremony on Friday, and the first virtual time for optimism. We have a new administration,
Maryland Day on Saturday! we have the fact that the vaccine is getting widely
distributed and the hope that folks that are 16
and above will be vaccinated soon. So there is
hope and optimism, and so the inauguration is a
chance to embrace that optimism to set that tone
for our future -- that it will be better, and that we
will continue to contribute to a better interaction
between humans on the planet, and work towards
solving the grand challenges of our time.
How did you decide what events to host during
inauguration week--are they inspired at all by
your predecessors? Which ones are you most
looking forward to and what message do you
Though most of the events are virtual, “Pines on hope participants are able to take away from
Parade” is a dedicated time for students and the Inauguration Week?
campus community to meet President Pines. The
marching band will accompany the President as
he travels around campus to greet Terps, share
some new Terrapin pins, and try a new ice cream THE LEADER ODK Sigma Circle | 4
University of Maryland's 34th President, Darryll J. Pines.
As you know, the inauguration was supposed to around) and then it concludes with something that
happen in the fall. We would have talked about we’re all very familiar with at Maryland, which is
the future of the university, the future of how Maryland Day. But the other events have been
we are going to impact a positive environment. chosen because I and the entire team want to
But I think this is even more significant because highlight other elements of excellence at our
there’s been an inauguration committee now with institution, which will allow us to make statements
multiple people working planning events. So I’ve about where we are headed as a university.
had actually very little to do with that. I did pick
the date of my inauguration to be Thursday, April You have served as a leader on UMD’s campus
22nd, Earth Day. I did that because I think it’s an for more than two decades. What leadership
opportunity to make a significant statement about lessons are you taking into your continued time
how we, the University of Maryland, are going to as president and what has the past year taught
positively impact humanity. And I intend to make you as you have led the university in combating
a couple of big announcements because it is Earth society’s “seemingly insurmountable challenges”
Day. And I want our community here because during a pandemic?
again, it builds optimism about our future, about
the future of the planet, and the future of how we My background is I’m an engineer, and so I see
as humans are going to interact positively with one things through that prism. When I came in and was
another. announced in February, I started really thinking
about the situation that we found ourselves in
In terms of the other events for the week, some of with the coronavirus and I looked at it through
those are traditional. There’ll be a couple of events the prism of an engineer. And so when I looked
that are what all inaugural operations have had at this situation, I realized that this is particularly
in the past like a parade (not your normal parade a systems engineering problem where we have to
because we’re not going to have that many people come up with a solution that keeps the community
5 | ODK Sigma Circle THE LEADER
safe, under this public health crisis. Of course, I stakeholder groups -- students, faculty, and staff
had never tried to work on such a problem before, -- and listen to their ideas carefully and include
but this was done with a whole bunch of other them in the discussion for big critical decisions like
people. And so engineers like me, we seek these safety, operations, and the student experience.
solutions that will benefit society, so we do this in And then, after you’ve assessed the information,
a context of something called a risk management listened to the input and read the data, then
framework -- understanding what is the risk to you make a decisive decision. That would be my
the population and how we mitigate the risk. recommendation to future leaders.
So we did this by establishing a whole bunch of I’ll give you an example of that, which definitely
working groups to work on health and safety, made a lot of people mad, and it was a tough
operations, the student experience, and academic decision to be honest with you. You may recall,
affairs. And as we brought the community two weeks before spring break, we sequestered
together, the community came up with these the campus for one week. We issued that
collective solutions on how we were going to announcement on a Saturday morning, and it
keep our communities safe. So for example, as went for the whole week, but it was because we
you know we conducted a few in-person classes saw transmission rates of the virus at a frequency
but not many. The whole challenge, based on that we had never seen before. This made a lot
the data that we saw for the coronavirus, is that of students and parents upset. And, because they
young people were less likely to have as severe were okay, we allowed athletics to go forward,
outcomes of getting the virus. Old people like me, because we didn’t see any transmission in
if I got the virus, the probability of more serious athletics specifically, nor in other things like other
illness is pretty high, like two orders of magnitude student employee activities. So we let those
higher than you. So the challenge was how do we activities go forward. Now it turns out we were
have these two population groups come to our right, and it turns out that we were able to stop
campus, and be safe. So the way we did it was the spread and literally in that one week if you
we would socially distance ourselves, we would look at the data on the dashboard. So, again, a
obviously wear masks, we would test all the very difficult decision -- I definitely took a lot of
time, but also we would leverage technology to negative emails and phone calls. But the bottom
separate the two communities. line is it was the right decision. We kept being
safe and we are where we are today, which is a
What we did wasn’t perfect, because we had much better situation.
never done it before, but it was a strategy that to
the majority part kept our university fairly safe. Finally, what are you most looking forward to
We still had over 2,000 coronavirus cases to date over your time as President?
over nine months, but I think we’re happy with
how things have turned out. We can honestly say I’m super excited about our future. I think we
that to this day, based on contact tracing, that we have an opportunity to create one of the most
haven’t had any transmissions in the classroom, inclusive campuses in the United States. And part
and no transmissions inside of research labs, even of what has happened to us has made us more
over nine months of experiencing the coronavirus. -- I think -- mindful of this, that we can be leaders
And so one perfect example of this is these in this area. We already have it, we just need to
working groups have been very helpful in keeping re-emphasize it as part of our DNA. The other
our community safe. What people don’t know is part is, we do have an opportunity as a research
that we’ve convened, in terms of leadership, this institution to advance science in this area related
daily COVID operations committee that meets to the pandemic, but also in some other areas
every day at 5 p.m., for nine months, keeping that will help enhance our standing in the world in
the community safe and examining the spread terms of technologies. We can make sure that we
of COVID on and in our community. So I’m very also enhance the human interaction of ourselves
proud of how we’ve managed the situation as a with our local community, and give back in the
community. way of service to help others improve their lives.
I think if we have learned anything from last year,
As an experienced leader, if you could give one we have learned that we’re all very connected.
piece of advice on how to be an effective and One thing, the virus, can touch every one of our
model community leader, what would you say? lives. That’s never happened to most of us ever
before, and it’s not just our lives but the whole
I would say the university is a very important world. And our collective efforts are an amazing
collective shared operation. What’s really accomplishment. I think it reminds us that we
important to do to make everyone feel have a common shared humanity that we must
comfortable, safe, and secure, is to listen to key never forget.
THE LEADER ODK Sigma Circle | 6
Here are some other ODKers’ favorite pandemic
A Perfect Year for the Perfect Pair of gear:
Sweatpants
By Sasha Marquez From Kathleen Hamilton-Campos ‘21:
“Three magic words: skirt with pockets! When one
It’s been quite a year for the UMD community, and of my friends told me over a Zoom meeting about
for the world. The COVID-19 pandemic and sub- long vintage skirts she had discovered that had side
sequent quarantine, work from home, and virtual pockets, I immediately investigated. For those of you
world has taken a toll on students, staff, faculty, and also interested, they are the Belle Poque Women’s
alumni. High Waist A-Line Pockets Skirt Skater Flared Midi
Skirt, available in a multitude of colors and patterns
We’re over a year into online classes and despite on Amazon. They’re lightweight, perfect for pairing
the highs and lows of the last year, there’s one in- with tights/leggings, or just by themselves for days
dustry that has been riding a high since last March: when you don’t want to deal with tight waistbands.
loungewear. It’s rare to hop on a Zoom call at UMD, Plus, if you have to go out for some reason - even if
whether for a club, organization, or class, and see it’s just getting the mail - you still look super cute!
people wearing anything other than sweatpants, This is a pandemic fave I’ll be keeping.”
sweatshirts, or any other form of soft, definitely not
professional, clothing. From Omar
Tarabishi ‘21
My personal favorite pandemic clothing item is my “My go to this
Comfy. You might recognize it from an old episode pandemic has
of Shark Tank. Back then, there was no way for the been a pair of
sharks to know that sales of this item would sky- sweatpants
rocket during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. from 2011.
During my ju-
The Comfy is a huge hoodie made out of fleece nior year at
blanket material that hangs down to my knees. It UMD as an
was the perfect piece of clothing to throw over my RA, our staff
sweatpants during the colder winter months and got matching
it’s ideal for taking a quick midday nap. My room- sweatpants
mate and I even have matching ones that we wear with “Cumber-
for class, to watch movies, or for a quick run to land 2011” on
pick up takeout dinner when we support local them. They’re
College Park businesses. insanely com-
fortable, black
so match with
Sasha Marquez follows the rule of ABC - anything, and
Always be Comfortable. have been a
regular part of
my loungewear for a decade. During the pandemic,
they’ve been a mainstay for me as only my top half
is visible on zoom calls and class. I’m wearing a but-
ton down on top for external calls, and super com-
fortable on the bottom with memories of a more
normal year with fellow RAs, first-year students,
and the UMD Cambridge Community.”
From David Polefrone ‘21:
“My neighbor from home happened to win a raffle
David Rekhtman studies in a comfy hoodie. Many ODKers and was awarded with a sweet pair of UMD Under
have found solace in wearing their most comfortable Armour sweatpants. As one of the few people they
clothes while studying from home. knew who attends UMD, he passed them along to
me and they became the perfect pair of sweatpants
to wear at home during the pandemic. Besides the
fact that they’re high quality and really comfortable,
it’s fun to feel a bit like a Division 1 athlete!”
7 | ODK Sigma Circle THE LEADER
Marks is spearheading the documentary project,
SEE Turns 50!: Celebrating the organiza- which will feature interviews with previous SEE di-
tion that brings our favorite celebrities rectors, video archives from performers like Kanye
straight to UMD West, and insight into how the organization is
adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. To further
By Emily Brothman
celebrate the anniversary, SEE redesigned its logo,
From Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman to come- and there will be giveaways and events in the next
dian John Mulaney to drag queens in pink boas, re- few months, according to current SEE President
cent students probably remember dozens of events Yoad Merin.
UMD has hosted in the past few years. Some fa-
mous visitors they likely don’t remember are Elvis Merin oversees SEE’s 24 student directors, which
Presley, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Kayne span from production directors to promotion di-
West, and Bruce Springsteen -- all of whom at one rectors. Two full-time staff supporters are the “glue
time performed at the University of Maryland. that holds everything together,” Merin said, but he
emphasized that the organization is completely
Student Entertainment Events (SEE), the student “student led and staff supported.”
organization largely responsible for bringing these
guests to campus, celebrates its 50th anniversary “There is no ego attached to the positions and peo-
this year. To honor SEE’s work since its inception in ple step up in an instant and help when they can,”
1971, the organization produced a feature film and Merin said. “We see all of these events as a total
documentary miniseries, which already has its first team effort.”
episode out on YouTube.
Some SEE members believe the biggest changes
“For the first time ever, I’ll be offering you a behind in the 50 years of the organization are the type of
the scenes look of our organization,” SEE Multime- programming they do and the increased interac-
dia Director Nolan Marks said in the official video tion with the student body. They have “more cul-
announcement. “With never before seen inter- tural based programming” and are “creating more
views and archival photos telling a beautiful story spaces to get more student feedback and listening
of passion and the resilience of an organization to the student voices,” according to Vice President
you’re guaranteed to find yourself immersed in.” of Finance Divya Kapoor.
Merin encourages students to provide feedback.
“SEE reaches out to students, but we want stu-
dents to engage with us to make the events better,”
Merin said. “Get on the listserv or send an email to
a specific director.”
Student feedback contributes to what Kapoor says
are the most important things SEE brings to cam-
pus: “safe and uplifting community spaces” and
“a sense of community.” While there is no telling
where the organization will be in another 50 years,
SEE members say they have confidence in its suc-
cess, especially considering the last half century.
“SEE is always grow-
ing and changing,”
Merin said. “I hope
to come in 50 years
and see everything so
differently, but I hope
Members of Student Entertainment Events with comedian everyone continues
John Mulaney at the Homecoming Comedy Show in 2019. to enjoy the work
they do.”
THE LEADER ODK Sigma Circle | 8
SARA BLAU
Recognizing Our ODK Award Recipients Sara is a Business Manage-
By Sarah Williamson ment and Technology Entre-
preneurship major from
Each year, the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kap- Brookville, New York. She is
pa is proud to select outstanding student schol- a member of the College
ar-leaders for a variety of awards. We are pleased Park Scholars community in
to highlight our Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta the International Studies
Kappa members who have received awards. Hon- Track and a Hinman CEO
oring of these awards and others will be available Fellow. Sara sits on the ex-
on the University Awards website in the first week ecutive board of the Real
of May. Estate Club, is a member of the Hillel Freshman
Leadership Summit and is an Investment Analyst
The Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa Lead- for Gold Ventures Investment through the TAMID
ership Society recognizes the Top Ten Freshmen Group.
of the University of Maryland. These individuals
have demonstrated a high level of achievement in POOJA DHARMENDRAN
leadership and campus involvement in their first Pooja is a Biology major
year at College Park. The award is given in antic- from Silver Spring, Mary-
ipation of the recipients’ continued involvement land. This Dean’s Scholar is
with the university in years to come. enrolled in the Honors Col-
lege. She is volunteering
AKSHAYA BALAJI with the organizations Am-
nesty International as a Stu-
Akshaya is a Biology and dent Activist Coordinator
Environmental Science and for Maryland and College
Technology dual degree Inte- Mentors for Success as a
grated Life Sciences student mentor to high school juniors.
from Clarksburg, Maryland.
She founded MaryPIRG’s LEI DANIELLE ESCOBAL
Antibiotics Campaign, is Lei Danielle Escobal is a So-
Freshman Representative ciology major and Asian
of the Banneker/Key Com- American studies minor
munity Council and Speaker from Glen Arm, Maryland.
Lead for TedXUMD. She works on environmental This Honors Humanities
research at UMD and is a Help Center Trainee. student is an active member
of Filipino Cultural Associa-
STEVEN N. BERIT tion and commits her time
to the FCArts Committee.
Steven is a Government She is also a writer for Mon-
and Politics and Computer umental Magazine and co-founder of a small busi-
Science double major with ness, Handmade.4.aid, which has donated over
a concentration in data $1,500 to various organizations.
science from Newtown,
Pennsylvania. He is part of JAYDA FOMENGIA
the First-Year Innovation & Jayda is a Physiology and
Research Experience pro- Neurobiology major from
gram working on the Global Beltsville, Maryland. This
Development and Design Banneker/Key Scholar
stream. He also serves as an Undergraduate Stud- serves on the Recruitment
ies Representative in SGA, is a member of Hack- Committee for Terp Thon
4Impact, works on the Undergraduate Studies’ and Big-Little Committee
Dean’s Student Advisory Committee, and is an am- for Charles R. Drew Minori-
bassador for the Terps Vote Coalition. ty Pre-Health Society. She
volunteers with Maryland
Mentor Corps and Lean on Me and is a member of
Kesem and Prima Dolls Dance Team.
9 | ODK Sigma Circle THE LEADERKHALIL KWOK
Khalil is a Public Policy ma- The University of Maryland Sophomore Leader of
jor from Cherry Hill, New the Year is recognized by the Sigma Circle of Omi-
Jersey. On-campus, he is in- cron Delta Kappa Leadership Society as the sec-
volved with Army ROTC, ond year student who has demonstrated a diverse
Student Alumni Leadership and high level of achievement in leadership and
Council, and the Dean’s Stu- campus involvement. The recipient of this award
dent Advisory Board. He is best exemplifies the leadership qualities of the
an Ambassador for the Sophomore Class. The winner will be announced
School of Public Policy and on the University Awards website the week of
an Academic Peer Mentor. May 2nd.
JULIA LIU Sophomore Leader of the Year Finalists
Julia is a Finance major from
Baltimore County, Mary- AMY L. RIVERA
land. This Design Cultures & Amy is a Criminology &
Creativity Honors College Criminal Justice and Gov-
student serves as the VP of ernment & Politics double
Events for Smith Investment major from Prince George’s
Fund. Julia is also an Honors County, Maryland. This
Ambassador and member of Dean’s List scholar is the
the Executive Board of the President of Political Latinx
Honors Student Program- United for Movement and
ming Council. Action in Society (PLUMAS),
Historian for Latinx Student
ROWAN MOHAN Union, member of Global Communities, Director of
Rowan is a Public Policy and UEXCEL Leadership Program, and Diversity & In-
prospective Journalism ma- clusion Chair for Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha
jor from Potomac, Mary- Inc. She serves as a weekly volunteer with the St.
land. This Public Leadership Camillus Food Pantry.
Scholar serves as UMD Help
Center’s Public Relations AIMEE S. DASTIN
Director and as a Student Aimee is an Economics and
Alumni Leadership Council Theatre double degree with
ambassador. She loves her an Arts Leadership Minor
work at Terpzone and is from Silver Spring, Mary-
training to be an Adventure Leader through land. This Presidential
RecWell. She is looking forward to serving as a Scholar and University Hon-
Federal Fellow during her sophomore year. ors student serves as VP of
the Economics Association
KARTHIK NAMBIAR of Maryland, VP of Talent
Karthik is an Information Management for Women in
Systems and Finance major Economics, and conducts research on global youth
from Germantown, Mary- political participation.
land. This QUEST Honors
student serves as the CMNS JOSEPHINE URREA
representative on the SGA Josie is a Public Policy and
legislative staff. He also Mandarin Chinese double
serves on the Finance com- major. Josie serves as the
mittee of SGA as well as a Deputy Director for the
delegate of the Campus Sexual Misconduct Preven-
Transportation Advisory Committee. Karthik is cur- tion Committee of SGA.
rently leading an initiative for a push on affordable Josie also serves on the
housing prices in College Park. Senate Student Conduct
Committee, Public Policy
Dean’s Student Advisory
Council and works as a Community Assistant. Josie
currently is a Peer Advocate for the CARE to Stop
Violence office and interns at the Maryland Gener-
al Assembly.
THE LEADER ODK Sigma Circle | 10UMD though, it was nice because the school was
An Accomplished, Compassionate Lead- big enough for us to pursue different activities on
er: Interview with the ODK Sigma Circle campus and do our individual best in these differ-
Leader of the Year ent activities. Throughout college, I worked a lot
By Jacqueline Ford with my sister, Megan Berry, because sometimes
our activities overlapped. Working with her has
Each year, the Sigma Circle votes to honor a Lead- been wonderful because we constantly have in-
er of the Year, someone who exemplifies the five spired and supported each other while working
pillars and leads with strength, empathy, and com- together and while the both of us had leadership
passion. This year, the Circle voted to award Emi- roles in different organizations. UMD allowed my
ly Berry, a graduating senior, with the prestigious siblings and I to encourage each other to pursue
award. our interests, get involved, develop personal goals,
and grow in different waays.
Emily is a senior Government and Politics major
from Annapolis, Maryland who is also in the five- How has ODK helped you throughout your lead-
year Bachelor’s/Master of Public Policy program. ership journey?
Throughout her time at UMD, she has served as the
two-term President of the Residence Hall Associa- From the moment I was inducted into ODK, I start-
tion (RHA), as a BSOS Senator in the Senate Execu- ed to grow into a different leader. Since I was in-
tive Committee, as a member of the Vice President ducted into the Sigma Circle my sophomore year, I
of Student Affairs’ Student Advisory Council, as a have progressed from being a member who was a
three-time Resident Assistant, as a staff member in younger student leader into someone who is now
the Student Organization Resource Center in the on the executive board for the Circle. This pro-
Stamp Student Union, and as a Student Advocate gression has made me reflect on how I grew as a
and Intern in the Student Legal Aid Office. Her oth- leader on campus and have been able to meet so
er past involvements include the Student Alumni many people that inspire me, from my freshman
Leadership Council (SALC), Student Government year to be where I am today. Now, being on the
Association, and the National Residence Hall Hon- Sigma Circle executive board, I am so appreciative
orary (NRHH). She has been awarded the 2020 - of the support that I have received and continue to
2021 Col. J. Logan Schutz ODK Sigma Circle Lead- receive from the rest of the executive board, and
er of the Year award. Congratulations, Emily! our advisors. Being the Sigma Circle’s Alumni and
Member Engagement Chair has also allowed me to
What has being a member of ODK meant to you? pursue my interests in student affairs and help me
connect with ODK members for advice related to
Being tapped and inducted was a huge honor be- leadership and post grad advice.
cause part of the “ODK experience” is receiving
that recognition for all of your hard work from the Who is your favorite leader/hero/shero that you
leaders who came before you. It is a special feeling have looked up to as you have grown as a leader?
knowing that they recognize you and advocate for
you to be considered a “leader among leaders.” As a I have a few women that I look up to. First, my
member, I have also realized that ODK can provide mom! She really raised my siblings and me and is al-
so many great opportunities and resources to work ways there when we need anything. She is a teach-
with our Circle’s advisors and the extensive alumni er for a Title I school and moved there specifically
network. I have benefited so much from being a so that she could use her talents and resources to
member of the executive board as the Alumni and help students who do not have as many resourc-
Member Engagement Chair because it is so inspir- es to succeed. She really cares about her impact
ing and super helpful to connect with this commu- on these students’ lives and I have always admired
nity of past and present student leaders and know that. My second “shero” is Annie Rappeport, the
that I can ask questions or for help about anything former Graduate Student Government President
at any time. Once a member, ODK becomes a and President for the University System of Mary-
shared community, and I am so thankful for that. land Student Council. Annie mentored me when I
first became RHA president and really taught me
Share with us what it’s been like to be a leader on how to be a leader at this campus. Her advice and
campus with your siblings. support helped me gain confidence in my role and
honestly, she is by far one of the best leaders I have
Growing up with my two siblings there was always ever seen on this campus because she works so
a sense of competition between the three of us, hard to advocate for others and I respect that very
from kindergarten to college. As triplets, we were much. Lastly, I really look up to Dr. Patty Perillo,
all competing for “who can do xyz the best?”. At and it has been an honor to get to work with her
during my undergraduate career. Dr. Perillo and I
11 | ODK Sigma Circle THE LEADERhave worked together a lot, especially in this past important it is to work together as students on the
year, so I have built a relationship with her. She has collective issues most important to us.
coached me in various ways to be a better leader,
especially a leader who identifies as a woman. Dr. Next steps: After graduating with her Bachelor of
Perillo has always encouraged me to speak up and Arts in Government and Politics in May 2021, Em-
not apologize for doing my job, which as a woman, ily plans to finish the last year of her Bachelor’s/
has helped me grow and be confident in who I am. Master of Public Policy program. This fall, she will
Her coaching and advice is something that I will also be applying to law school, which she plans to
definitely take with me everywhere that I go in life. attend after finishing her M.P.P.
What has been your proudest moment through-
out your college experience?
Definitely the spring and summer planning that I
had to do to transition RHA to a virtual environ-
ment for the first time ever so that everything was
all set for the Fall 2020 semester. This was chal-
lenging to do while also balancing working for my
internship and my personal and mental health, all
while living through the current pandemic. It’s re-
ally daunting to lead in situations that no one has
ever been before. I had to work with our Board to
figure out how to restructure the organization and
still allow students to have the appropriate and fair
platform to represent their campus communities
while making sure their requests and voices were
heard. That experience was very hard because it
was an uncharted territory that I cannot compare
anything else to; however, I am very proud of what
my RHA team and I were able to accomplish all by
working together.
What is one thing you hope to pass on to the next
generation of Terp Leaders as you move on to the
next chapter in your life?
I have learned how important it is to use your voice
and speak up for others, especially if they are not
in the position of having the ability to advocate for
themselves. I believe that it is important to invite
other people to the table, whether it be a conver-
sation or a (virtual) meeting -- it is crucial to have
other people’s perspectives and voices be heard
and considered when making decisions. Being
inclusive allows you to use the position that you
have to share others’ voices, because at the end of
the day, that was what you were elected for -- not
just to share your own opinions or the issues you
may personally care about the most. As a leader,
you have to find that balance between your per-
sonal projects and those of the populations that
you’re serving. It may be more time consuming
than to just bring your own knowledge, but that
is how you learn about and from others while you
lead. And ultimately, you have to recognize that
even if you have that leadership position title, that
doesn’t mean you know more than anyone else -- it
just means you have that responsibility to facilitate
conversations, carry out projects, and share others’
voices. I hope that the next generation learns how
THE LEADER ODK Sigma Circle | 12Congratulations to the newly inducted members of ODK Sigma Circle!
Your commitment to the University of Maryland and the College Park community has served to make
campus life stronger and more vibrant. We value your leadership and hope you continue to do good
work today, tomorrow, and in the future.
Fall 2020 Inductees
Marjorie Justine Cruz Antonio Aaron Edwin Green Catherine Cora May
Ololade Adedamola Balogun Kunal Subodh Harmalkar Alexander Cyrus McCarren
Hunter Anderson Baxter Kayleigh Anne Hasson Alyssa Cara McKinney
Kelley Bishop Michal Herman Yoad Merin
Jessica Boyer Nishitha Suresh Hosamane Ally Amanda Merwitz
April Brohawn Amara Kamal Reka S. Montfort
Zachary Noah Caplan Divya Shree Kapoor Valeria Morales
Elizabeth Laura Hakenkamp Cornelia Kennedy Jung Oh
Carlson Lital Jacobs Kirshenboim M Pease
Mark Ryan Cerasoli Alexander Kristal Laura Place
Hailey Nicole Chaikin Kavya Krish Kumaran Nabila Mujahidah Prasetiawan
Nicole M. Coomber Abigail Jeanette Landesman Sarah Sabet
Anjali Sarju Dhamsania Kristin LaRiviere Joshua Rex Steighner
Benjamin Bauer Di Rosa Alyssa Anna LeVie
Chloe Jordan Dinman Naomi Lichtenstein
Omolade Oluwaseun Gbolade Anastasia Marks
Yaelle Goldschlag Peter Philip Marston
Spring 2021 Inductees
Davinder K. Anand Talia Paige Hartman Matthew Drake Ober
Jacqueline Marie Blair Paige Kathryn Hawksworth Dillyn Cassidy Payne
Noah Austin Broth Malina Blanton Heng Patrick Peralta
Deborah Elizabeth Brown Ian Manuel Hidalgo Jaime Poynter
Abraham Joseph Browne Atara Kahn Isabelle Dianne Pula
Calvin Burns Dahye Kang Annie Rappeport
D’Kiya Allyson Bynum Sahil Kapoor Christine Roviera
Riya Anya Chaudhry Jeff Kinney Josie Emily Shaffer
Lauren Sunyoung Cho Marina Lorin Kissner Sarah Jessica Shapiro
Andrea Crabb Usha B. Konduri Julianna Arden Solomon
Adam Joshua Deutch Priscilla Euni Lee Jeannie Koby Spiegel
Kyle Joseph Dineen Emily Leo Abigail Jane Svoysky
Sarah Michelle Dresh Halle Curtice Lerner Prateek Swamykumar
Laura Elizabeth Exar Isabelle Lim Omar Wahby Tarabishi
Kimberly Sue Fleming Shu-Huai Sean Lin Rina Tova Torchinsky
Salma Mohamed Khaled Ghorab Jennifer Littlefield Alythia Jie Vo
Shoham Ghosh Jacqueline Liu Jennifer Wang
Isabella Agnes Gordon Elizabeth P. Mafrici Gabriela Ellen Winter
Rebecca Nicole Gordon Michael Charles Mareno Noam Yanay
Margaret A. Hall John F. McCauley Daisy Tang Yu
Kathleen Amanda Hamil- Carlos Rolando Meléndez Jr. Allison Tjaden
ton-Campos Alexandra Leigh Miller Leah K. Tobin
Emma Julie Hammer Madelyn Claire Miller Anne Zappas
Grant Thomas Handley Brianna Hope Nabet Tiffany Zheng
Nina Harris Arsema Negash
13 | ODK Sigma Circle THE LEADER2020 - 2021 Inductees
Get a closer look at this year’s inductees. This year’s inductees includes students acheiving in all five
pillars. Here is a quick look at some of the impressive statistics.
583 Applicants
3.82
96
Average GPA
Selected
15 Founders of New Organizations
48 Presidents
6
Students with
a 4.0
42 Vice Presidents
37 Intramurals or Club
Sports
Maryland Images
3
47 Service Volunteers Greek Life
Members 16
3 Band or ochestra
members
Alternative Break
Participants 10
THE LEADER ODK Sigma Circle | 14ODK 2020-2021 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.
STEWARD OF THE FOUNTAIN SOCIETY
Phil Aronson Paul Mandell and Lisa Mandell
Dru Bagwell Deven McGraw
Brian Bayly and Susan Bayly Joan Meixner
Kyle Beardsley Hillary Cherry Mintz and Doug Mintz
James E. Bond Ann Tatsios Mowrey
D. Stuart Bowers Dawn Nichols
Sue Briggs 2012-2013 ODK Executive Officers
Sara Brooks 2014-2015 ODK Executive Officers
Kenneth Brown 2016-2017 ODK Executive Officers
Adam Chepenik James Osteen
Zimri Diaz Khalil Pettus
Devin Ellis Caroline Carrick Pisano
The Honorable Gordon England Philip Rever
Terry Flannery James Rychner
William Fourney Phil Schneider and Joyce Schneider
Eric S. Francis Mark Sobel
Michael Freiman Marc Solomon
Susan Wachs Goldberg and Bob Goldberg Bob Stumpff
Barry Gossett Brooke Supple and Matt Supple
Lance Governale Lee Thornton
Marc Greenberg Joseph Tydings
Alden Gross Jason Ward and Joana Ward
Jeff Hathaway Joel Willcher
Rick Jaklitsch Wayne Willoughby and
The Kenny Family Gail Smelkinson Willoughby
Kelly Kish Bruce J. Winter
Nick Kovalakides Eric Young and Julia Young
Kevin Kruger Terry Zacker and John Zacker
Phil Livingston
Founders Circle Leaders Circle
(Gifts of $1,000 or more) (Gifts of $500 or more)
Dr. Kenneth G. Brown and Mr. Philip S. Aronson
Dr. Amy L. Kristof-Brown Dr. Drury G. Bagwell, Jr.
Mr. Barry P. Gossett Mrs. Karen K. DeMatteo and
Mr. Marc S. Greenberg, C.P.A. and Mr. Kenneth G. A. DeMatteo
Mrs. Wendy L. Greenberg David S. Klein, M.D.
Mr. Jeffrey A. Hathaway and Mrs. Dawn Korryn Nichols
Mrs. Paula C. Hathaway Ms. Deborah L. Potter, P.A.
Dr. Kelly A. Kish Mr. James J. Rychner
Mr. Douglas S. Mintz and Mrs. Hillary C. Mintz Mrs. Joana C. Ward and Mr. Jason A. Ward
Mr. Khalil M. Pettus
Dr. Norman M. Wereley Supporters Circle
Dr. Brooke L. Supple and Dr. Matthew L. Supple (Gifts of $100 or more)
Mr. Bruce J. Winter and Mrs. Sarita Winter Ms. Elizabeth A. Arentz
Dr. John D. Zacker and Dr. Terry Y. Zacker Mrs. Michele Barone Hunn
Paul T. Barrett, Ph.D.
Mr. Neal I. Bellet
Mr. Jeffrey M. Bonner
15 | ODK Sigma Circle THE LEADERDr. Vivian S. Boyd and Mr. Henry C. Boyd, Jr. Members Circle
Dr. Neil W. Brayton and Mrs. Robyn J. Brayton (Gifts of $50 or more)
Mr. Wesley M. Chin and Mrs. Jo Ann D. Chin Dr. Katherine P. Beardsley
Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper, Jr., (Ret.) and Mrs. Susan T. Mr. Lance W. Billingsley
Clapper Dr. M. Margaret Conway
Ms. Maria C. Viera Cuellar Dr. Roy L. Eskow, D.D.S. and Mrs. Julie A. Eskow
Mr. Zimri A. Diaz Mr. John C. Ford
Mr. Stephen D. Dubnoff COL Bruce J. Gold
Mrs. Barbara A. Dutterer and Mr. Myron A. Dutterer Jared B. Goldberg, M.D. and Ms. Justine Young
Mrs. Laura Elaine Dyer Ms. Alicia D. Harcum
Mr. Michael D. Fontz Ms. Katrina L. Hauprich
Mrs. Susan W. Goldberg and Mr. Robert Goldberg Ms. Heather Kilcoyne
The Honorable Steny H. Hoyer Alan I. Kirschbaum, P.E.
Mr. Stephen R. Kallmyer Mr. Clyde E. Taber, IV
Mrs. Brooke S. Kenny and Mr. Edmund J. Kenny
Ms. Kelly Lincoln-Falcone Other Contributors to Sigma Circle
Mrs. Julie K. Liss and Mr. Marvin Liss Mr. Henri D. Bartholomot
Ms. Sarah E. Niezelski and Mr. Robert D. Petri Mrs. Lisa D. Berglund
Mr. Jeffrey J. O’Neal Mrs. Yvonne A. Brooks
Mr. Emilio Pardo Dr. Elliot C. Chabot
Mr. Miles Ross Patterson, Jr. Dr. Edward L. Fink and Dr. Deborah Cai
The Honorable Adrian “Mac” Remsberg and Mrs. Peggy H. Mrs. Laura C. Hood
Remsberg Ms. Amy E. Iandiorio
Mrs. Denise L. Rosen and Mr. David M. Rosen Dr. Dallas C. Kennedy, II
Mr. Robert B. Schaftel Ms. Wendy J. Moyer
Dr. Philip L. Schneider Miss Raakhee Sharma
Dr. Charles A. Sneiderman Ms. Lauren K. Shaw
Mr. Doron J. Tadmor Mrs. Sarah C. Williamson
Ms. Tessa M. Trach
Mr. Jacob M. Veitch
Mr. Jason H. Williams
Ms. Susan E. Woda
Ms. Colleen Wright-Riva
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. 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:
Brooke Lecky Supple
Circle Coordinator
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
THE LEADER ODK Sigma Circle | 162108 Clarence Mitchell Building 7999 Regents Drive University of Maryland College Park, Maryland 20742 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
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