Maryland Smith Seniors, Faculty among Merrill Presidential Scholars Program Honorees for 2020-21

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:

Desiree Morrison, Accounting, Operations Management and Business Analytics
Teacher Mentor: Richard Sherin, formerly of Murray Hill Middle School, Laurel, MD
Faculty Mentor: Progyan Basu, Accounting and Information Assurance

Joseph Trubnick, Finance; Minor: Real Estate Development
Teacher Mentor: Shmuel Kurtz, Ida Crown Jewish Academy, Skokie, IL
Faculty Mentor: Julie Pavlovsky, Finance

Angela Yang, Information Systems and Operations Management, Business Analytics
Teacher Mentor: Sheryl Braun, Corona del Sol High School, Tempe, AZ
Faculty Mentor: Pamela K. Armstrong, Decision, Operations and Information Technologies

“Our students’ accomplishments do not take place in solitude,” said Maryland President Darryll J. Pines. “This program is also a chance to applaud the individuals who helped nurture their success, and to recognize the power of mentorship. We are grateful for the Merrill family's vision and support of outstanding teachers and the lifelong gift they give to their students.”

Read more: “19 Seniors Honored as Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars.”