Academic Programs > Alumni > Awards > Senior Student Awards

Outstanding Senior Award - 4 Year Program

Winners of the 2009 Outstanding Senior Award (4-year program):

Sarah Scholl

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Sarah Scholl is a superior example of what it means to be an outstanding senior. With her outstanding record for scholarship, exceptional athletic abilities, and commitment to community service, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources was very fortunate to recruit Sarah. Sarah will graduate from the Food Science program with a 3.85 cumulative GPA and a perfect 4.00 among courses in her major. This is a true testament to Sarah’s academic excellence as the food science major is extremely rigorous and demanding as it includes courses such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and many upper-level food science courses.

As a member of the University of Maryland women’s varsity field hockey team, Sarah has accomplished these impressive academic achievements while attending three hour practices six days a week and balancing away trips and other athletic commitments.  In her four years of involvement, Sarah has helped her team win the NCAA National Championship in 2005, 2006, and 2008 as well as the ACC title in 2005 and 2008. Sarah was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s National Academic Squad for three consecutive years and to the All-ACC Academic Team for her combined excellence in athletics and academics. 

Sarah has also leant her drive and enthusiasm to the food science department. She was an active member of the Food Science and Technology Club and was selected to serve as the inaugural Food Science Ambassador to the University. During her term as ambassador, Sarah gave talks and demonstrations about the major to campus and community groups. She participated in many department and college activities such as Food Is Fun, Explore Your Major week, and the First Look Fair. She also served as the Maryland Day chair for the Food Science Club.

In addition to her work within the University community, Sarah has remained very involved with her professional community as well. She worked as an intern for the Institute of Food Technologists, conducting literature research for a task force commissioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She also attended the national IFT meeting in New Orleans and many local IFT meetings.

Sarah’s accomplishments as a scholar athlete are a testament to her outstanding intelligence, motivation, commitment and organization; attributes that will be invaluable as she pursues a graduate degree in Food Science from the University of Illinois.

Lauren Peddicord

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Lauren Peddicord graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Landscape Management program in December, 2008. Her dedication to academics, involvement in extracurricular activities and leadership within the University make her an ideal role model for underclassmen. While excelling in the classroom with a 3.898 GPA, Lauren has also devoted herself to volunteer work outside of class.


As a participant in the College Park Scholars program, Lauren acted as a service day leader, guiding a group of freshman in harvesting vegetables to be donated to Food for Others as well as leading team building activities. For her efforts within the program, Lauren was awarded the College Park Scholars Outstanding Achievement Award for Environmental Studies. During her term as publicity chair of Habitat for Humanity, Lauren’s responsibilities included organizing the First Look Fair as well as assisting with building in both Baltimore, MD and Port Charlotte, FL. In addition to her work with Habitat for Humanity, Lauren participated in the Best Buddies program as the public relations officer. Dedicated to enhancing “the lives of people with intellectual disabilities”, Lauren talked to her buddy weekly over the phone and planned outings every month.  

Lauren helped increase environmental awareness among elementary school children as an active member of the College Park Scholars Program, and she collected items for the less fortunate as a member of the Primannum National Honor Society. On the athletic field, Lauren aided the women’s club field hockey team in becoming division finalists. She served as a role model for on-campus residents as a resident assistant and for younger children in the as part of the Caring for Kids program.

In addition to her campus wide involvement, Lauren was also an excellent leader within her academic program. She was an active participant in the Professional Landcare Student Chapter, and, using her academic knowledge,     competed as a member of the 2008 PSLA Landscape Team during the national Student Career days competition.

While compiling this impressive list of achievements,Lauren has remained focused on a career path in Landscape management spending her summers interning at various landscaping companies. Her work experience, academic accomplishments and extracurricular involvement set Lauren in the sights of recruiters for every major landscaping company. Lauren has accepted an entry-level management position with Valleycrest Landscape Company, the largest landscape corporation in the United States.

Award Details

This recognition is given to a graduating student who has: Provided outstanding service to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Demonstrated dedicated leadership to College of Agriculture and Natural Resources student organizations; Exhibited high standards of citizenship and fellowship; Maintained an above average academic record; Conducted themselves in a manner which reflects positively on their fellow students, the College of Agriculture and Natural resources and the University of Maryland System. Each academic program is asked to make a nomination supported by a record of the student's activities and achievements.


Previous Recipients...

Beginning in 2004, 4- and 2-year program awards are separated. The following list of recipients includes all who received the combined "Outstanding Senior" Award through 2003:

For more information, contact Gail Yeiser

Last updated: 02/1/2010

Nomination Criteria for the Outstanding Senior Student Award.