ME Students and Advisor Honored

The Office of Campus Programs and Omicron Delta Kappa presented their 21st Annual Awards Program on May 5, 2002. Below are the Mechanical Engineering students and faculty who were honored at this ceremony:

Micah Coleman, a senior Mechanical Engineering major, was a finalist for the Adele H. Stamp Memorial Award. Micah is also named a member of the Maryland Medallion Society, which consists of the finalists for the Wilson H. Elkins Award, the H.C. Byrd Award and the Sally Sterling Byrd Award. This prestigious group showcases the talents of twenty of the brightest and most capable of the University's student leaders. Micah, a senior Mechanical Engineering major, has been active in Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, serving as its President. A fixture in Student Entertainment Events or SEE, Micah has served as the Co-Sponsorship Director. More recently he has been the Assistant Project Manager and Construction Director for the Solar Decathlon Project. Micah has also represented student concerns as the Student Commissioner on the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Aaron Johnson was initiated into the Omicron Delta Kappa Society. Aaron, who is pursuing a dual major in Mechanical Engineering and Music Performance, has a 3.96 GPA. He is the founder of the University Honors Quintet and is the Principal Horn in the Concert Band. He is also a member of of Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key. He was recognized as the Outstanding Junior in Mechanical Engineering and has tutored students in mechanical engineering.

Christopher Perich was the recipient of the Outstanding Resident Assistant Award for the North Hill Community. A senior mechanical engineering major, Chris has served as an RA in Wicomico Hall. One of the most unique things about Chris is that he has not only served as an RA at Maryland but also at San Jose State University, where he spent a semester through the College Exchange Program. As his nominator said of Chris, "He has transformed a floor of cinderblock walls and fluorescent lights into a warm, fun community that his residents now call home."

Associate Professor Linda Schmidt was the winner of the 2002 Outstanding Advisor for a Student Organization Award. Dr. Schmidt advises Pi Tau Sigma, the Mechanical Engineering Honor Society. In her letter of nomination, the members of this organization suggest that "Dr. Schmidt is always there for us. Any organization would be lucky to call her not only their advisor, but also their best advocate." From securing transportation and arrangements for students to attend national conventions to helping the group to win the honor of hosting the national conference in College Park next year, Dr. Schmidt is involved in every facet of the organization's operations. Some of her students said of Linda, "Every time Dr. Schmidt pays us $5.00 for a 50 cent soda at the Society Fund Raiser, she tells us ' spend this on the needy students.' She also works with the Society to raise funds by working at football game concessions. This advisor truly takes advising to a new level."

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers their hearty congratulations to all

Published May 6, 2002