Senior Honored as 2018 Merrill Presidential Scholar

Danielle Arons, a biological sciences major, was named a 2018 Merrill Presidential Scholars. The Merrill Presidential Scholars Program honors the university’s most successful seniors, who each recognize a UMD faculty member and high school teacher for contributing to their education. 

Arons honored Inyong Choi of Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland, and Reid Compton, a principal lecturer in the Department of Biology. “[Dr. Compton] helped me transition into college seamlessly, and his office door is always open if I have questions or problems to discuss,” Arons said. “[He] encourages students to excel academically while reminding us to enjoy life and stay grounded by balancing academics with other extracurricular activities.” Compton was also named as a faculty mentor by Merrill Scholars in 2008, 2015 and 2017.

The Merrill Presidential Scholars Program honors the University of Maryland’s most successful seniors and their designated faculty and K-12 teachers for their mentorship. The legacy of academic excellence, teaching and mentoring continues as scholarships are awarded in the K-12 teacher’s name to a new first-year student from that teacher’s high school or school district.

UMD President Wallace D. Loh welcomed Merrill Scholars, faculty members and teachers at a luncheon celebration on November 9, 2018, at University House.

Written by Irene Ying