Honors College University Scholars graduate with distinction

TU recognized Honors College graduates at the convocation ceremony May 6

By Reiko Gallo '18 & Rio Napoli on May 7, 2018

Honors Convocation
Towson University College of Liberal Arts Dean Terry Cooney shakes hands with student Christian Piñeiro, who is headed to Texas A&M for an MA in Public Service and Administration at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service.

TU’s Honors College Convocation was a chance for students to celebrate their accomplishments of the last four years with family and friends. The ceremony is part of TU’s annual Celebration of Excellence, 10 events throughout April and May that recognize the many achievements of students, faculty, staff and alumni.  

Honors College Rector Terry Cooney delivered opening remarks, focusing on the many academic challenges and responsibilities students encounter at the Honors College.

“I suspect and hope that the best of the challenges you faced came in a positive way from one another,” Cooney said,  . . .  “interacting with a range of personalities, ideas and perspectives coming from colleagues you would learn to know and respect.”  

Then Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Timothy Chandler recognized the accomplishments of some key students in the Honors College including the co-captain of the gymnastics team, the president of Towson Tiger Tones, the senior adviser to the Southeast Asian Student Association, the vice president and secretary of the International Student Association and the co-chair of the Presidential Ambassadors.

Lauren Cahalan, a political science and economics major and co-captain of the gymnastics team, was the student speaker. She challenged her classmates to embrace the lessons of the Honors College taught – the importance of curiosity, the value of participating in one’s community, and how these attributes can have a positive impact on character. 

The Honors College, she said, makes TU “not just a place to show up and take classes… This is a university where you can have a true impact.” 

Michelle Weber Laird ’03 was recognized as “Alumnus of the Year,” an award  for those who “continue to exhibit professional development and lifetime success in their field.” Laird credited her Honors College opportunities in preparing her for a research career.  She majored in molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics with a minor in chemistry and is the senior research specialist for MilliporeSigma, a company that focuses on solving the toughest problems in science. She is the sole account manager for Johns Hopkins University and oversees all of MilliporeSigma’s product sales, which amount to $7 million.

Laird’s advice was to always say “yes” to each opportunity as students move to an advanced degree or that first job.  “Just say yes, “ Laird said. “Say yes to opportunities that come your way because one always leads to another.”

This year, over 110 Honors College students completed internships and fellowships with companies, research facilities and institutions around the world – including NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Maryland Governor’s office, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Aquarium.

Another 61 students completed a research project or Honors thesis for credit, several of whom were recipients of semi-finalists for TU’s inaugural Undergraduate Research Awards.

Another 53 students studied abroad, in places such as India, Costa Rica, Australia, Spain and Peru. Over 85 percent of TU’s Honors College graduates already have a job or plan to attend graduate school after graduation.   

“Honors education allows us to bring the best and brightest students to TU in order to positively impact the university community,” Chandler said. “Our Honors College has proven to be innovative in its teaching, curricula and programming in ways that have benefited this impressive group of graduates, and also the entire institution.”

Considering the feats these students have already accomplished, one thing is clear, the future is certainly bright for the 2018 TU Honors College graduating class.

The following continue TU’s Celebration of Excellence:

  • Golden Paws Athletic Banquet | May 7 | 6–8 p.m. | SECU Arena | By invitation only 
  • Service Awards Breakfast and Ceremony | May 9 | 9–11:30 a.m. | SECU Arena | By invitation only
  • Foundation Scholars Luncheon | May 11 | noon–2 p.m. | Chesapeake Rooms, University Union | By invitation only 
  • Distinguished Alumni and Dean’s Recognition Awards Ceremony | May 24 | 6:30–9 p.m. | Chesapeake Rooms, University Union | Ticketed event