Darin Gilchrist, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was recently selected as a recipient of the 2019 Undergraduate Research Award from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 22 University of Maryland-University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UM-UMBC).

Each spring, the UM-UMBC chapter invites applications from its undergraduate student members to apply for one of two Undergraduate Research Awards. The chapter's awards committee selects two applicants to receive $500 each for this prestigious honor on the recommendation of the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) Committee.

Gilchrist was selected by the awards committee for his innovative research abstract and strong letter of support from his mentor, Dr. Michael Summers. Gilchrist is pursuing a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology at UM-UMBC.

Gilchrist was presented with the award at the URCAD event held on April 24, 2019.

Chartered at College Park in 1920, Phi Kappa Phi recognizes academic excellence across all disciplines. Chapter 22 invites the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors for membership in Phi Kappa Phi. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

More About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The Society's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Faculty Advisor: Susan McDonough (History)  |  Art Director: Guenet Abraham (Visual Arts)

Sponsored by the Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA)

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Commencement 2019—around 2,000 brilliant graduates destined to change the world, droves of mentors whose support made everything possible, and one tornado warning that tried to rain on our parade. But as is the UMBC way, we weathered the storm.

This year’s spring commencement exercises featured memorable special guests. Distinguished speakers included Baltimore County Executive John A. Olszewski, Jr., Ph.D. ’17, public policy; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director Marin Alsop, and National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow. And don’t forget a special appearance by the world’s most photogenic service dog, Chief.

The Class of 2019 is remarkable in so many ways, with their dogged drive and relentless commitment to pursuing their passions. They also have a deep focus on international exploration, whether they’ve come to UMBC from abroad or travel the world with UMBC as a home base.

UMBC’s new graduates boast a Rhodes Scholar finalist and a co-founder of the Sadie T.M. Alexander Conference, the nation’s first conference for Black women economists. And a record 14 new and recent UMBC grads were just named Fulbright Scholars. But even with all they’ve already achieved, we know the best is yet to come for these leaders.

Linda Wiratan, biochemistry and molecular biology, and Samiksha Manjani, political science, represented the Class of 2019 as valedictorians. Their inspiring messages focused on the importance of working together to enact real change in the world.

Congratulations, UMBC graduates!

Graduates and those cheering them on can share memories, well wishes, and photos through #UMBCgrad. View UMBC’s Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter accounts for coverage of the festivities. Videos can be found on UMBC’s YouTube page.

All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.