Pamela Armstrong

Three pairs of Maryland Smith students-faculty mentors have been recognized among this year’s graduating class of University of Maryland Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars.

The late Philip Merrill, UMD supporter and long-time Washington area publisher, initiated the Merrill Presidential Scholar program in 2004 to build a community of scholars, faculty members, and K-12 teachers to promote “teaching and mentoring the next generation.”

The recognitions further cite a K-12 teacher-mentor of each scholar:

Every graduating cohort has students who are shining stars, and it is with great fanfare that Victor Mullins, Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program, celebrated them on May 3, 3018, at an annual awards banquet. The event also honored a few faculty members who were nominated by seniors and a retiring professor who has been a positive influence on the Undergraduate Program at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

This past winter-term, 20 students had the opportunity to learn about design and innovation in the Spanish context. While in Spain, students had a full itinerary of company visits, workshops, and cultural activities. In Barcelona, they visited the iconic La Sagrada Familia, took a guided tour of the gothic quarter, and even had the opportunity to meet with local business students. In the capital city of Madrid, students took time to reflect in Retiro Park and enjoyed traditional Spanish tapas. Led by QUEST Honors faculty Dr. Gerald Suarez and Dr. Pamela Armstrong the program focused on introducing students to design concepts from the perspective of companies in various industries. Company visits included Design Thinkers Group, TransfoLAB, and Metropoli Ecosystems.