Seniors honored with academic, activity and leadership awards

On the eve of their May 25 graduation, McDaniel College seniors were honored with academic, activity and leadership awards at the Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation. A list of awardees appears below.

After the final award was presented came the long awaited moment, a time honored tradition, when the faculty secret speaker was introduced. Seniors — many former
students in one of his legendary classes — cheered and applauded as Physics professor Apollo Mian took the stage.

Currently wrapping up his 20th year on the Hill, Mian has taught a variety of physics courses and genuinely enjoys teaching non-major courses such as A World of Light and Color, Lenses to Lasers, Understanding the Universe, and Introductory Astronomy.

Mian is passionate about working with students in his research lab. He has established a robust undergraduate research program in nonlinear optics with applications in opto-electronics and photonics here at McDaniel. He has supervised over 40 student-faculty research projects, published 21 peer-reviewed papers, authored a book chapter on organic and hybrid photonic crystals, received two external grants (NSF and Petroleum Research Fund) and secured one patent since joining the College.

His on-campus artistic ability is legendary. One faculty member said, “I want the record to reflect that he possesses the most enviable whiteboard skills of any instructor on campus! I often feel a slight pang of remorse anytime I must erase, what is for me one of his multi-colored masterpieces. Of course, for him these are just what pass as day-to-day scribblings and notes.”

Mian’s talents extend into the research lab. He has a strong collaboration with the London Centre for Nanotechnology and Department of Physics at University College London, where he currently holds the title of Honorary Senior Research Associate. In addition to his research, Mian is the faculty advisor to the Muslim Student Association and is also a founding member of the Islamic Society of Carroll County and is still actively involved in running the organization.

Most recently, he has worked to develop four new articulation agreements with Carroll Community College for students interested in Physics, as well as Electrical, Mechanical and Civil engineering. He has also recently built collaborative agreements with Washington University and Virginia Tech, both of which will significantly enhance the educational opportunities for students interested in the field of engineering.

All eyes were on Mian as he told the Class of 2019 that he didn’t regret a single day on the Hill because of them.

“Yes, you!” he said. “You’re down to earth, good, decent people that I had the privilege to teach. You work hard. You’re not arrogant. You’re kind. You’re forgiving. These are qualities that will make you succeed in life and I’m confident you will do well.”

As the life’s journey he promised to share with them unfolded, the soon-to-be graduates learned how Mian came to the U.S. from Bangladesh as a 3-year-old for his father to do his doctorate. Mian played baseball, pledged allegiance to the flag, loved Star Wars — and then returned to Bangladesh.

He suffered major culture shock returning to a country where no one had even heard of Luke Skywalker, had no Saturday morning cartoons and didn’t speak what had become his language.

But Mian adapted, and “thrived.”

“My point is, don't be afraid of change. Change is everywhere. The universe itself is constantly changing, evolving, you can't avoid it,” he said. “You have all the tools you need to succeed. If you ever need advice or guidance, our doors are always open to you. You’ve got this!”

Urging the graduating seniors to resist polite indifference, he encouraged them to “Get to know those who don’t look like you or think like you. Reach out. Listen.”

He likened the seniors to the Marvel Comics super heroes, the Avengers.

“You’re young now and are poised to be the movers and shakers of this country. I ask that you steer the country in the right direction through your actions, through your advocacy, and through your love and compassion.

“The Avengers worked together for a common cause. You, my friends, are all Avengers. Stand up for truth! Stand up for justice! Do the right thing!

“Avengers…assemble!”

Student award recipients included:

• Jack Anthony Del Nunzio, History and Economics major from Sykesville, Md.

• Oliva Wilson Elbers, Social Work major from Rodgers Forge, Md.

• Rodney Scott Fisher Jr., Sociology major from Earleville, Md.

• Taylor Jean Bauman, Biology major from Charlottesville, Va.
• Samantha Marie Merkel, Social Work major from Baltimore
• Elijah Timothy Williams, Chemistry major from Mountain Top, Pa.

• Emma Katherine Carter, Communication and French major from Halethorpe, Md.

• Mary Olivia Maenner, Kinesiology and Spanish major from Baltimore

• Elijah Timothy Williams, Chemistry major from Mountain Top, Pa.

• Christopher Allen Shatzer, Political Science and Spanish from Taneytown, Md.

• Emily Ann Barker, Music major from Sykesville, Md.

• Gavin Gabriel Gibson, Philosophy and Psychology from Newark, Del.

• Emma Katherine Carter, Communication and French major from Halethorpe, Md.
• Daniel James Smith, Accounting Economics, German, and Business Administration major from Lancaster, Pa.
• Theadora McKnight Westlake-Stearns, Business Administration, Spanish, and Economics major from Seattle, Wash.

• Lacey Elisabeth Utz, Psychology and Elementary Education major from Fallston, Md.

• Jacqueline Majanna White, English and Cinema major from Hanover, Md.

• Emma Christine Sturdevant, English major from Belfast, Maine

• Brandon Lee Burreece Rozanski, Biology major from Severn, Md.

• Garrett Albert Gregoire, Biology major from Taylorsville, N.C.

• Jonathan Gregory Nepini, Art major from California, Md.

• Taylor Jean Bauman, Biology major from Charlottesville, Va

• Jennifer Lynn Willard, Theatre Arts major from North Potomac, Md.

• Maia Xing Hanlon, Mathematics and Computer Science major from Madison, Wis.
• Dimitri Alexander Lezcano, Physics and Mathematics major from Randallstown, Md.

• Colin Aric Lyon, History major from Frederick, Md.

• Jack Anthony Del Nunzio, History and Economics major from Sykesville, Md.

• Harrison Alan Curnutte, Biology major from Westminster, Md.

• Rowail Imran Khan, Psychology major from Manchester, Md.

• Jared Austin Payne, Business Administration and Economics major from Moorestown, N.J.

• Lacey Elisabeth Utz, Psychology and Elementary Education major from Fallston, Md.

• Gavin Gabriel Gibson, Philosophy and Psychology from Newark, Del.
• Samantha Marie Merkel, Social Work major from Baltimore
• Billy Joe Emerson Jr., Sociology major from Germantown, Md.

• Dustin Stitzel Miller, Communication major from Wyomissing, Pa.

• Brandon Lee Burreece Rozanski, Biology major from Severn, Md.

• Angel Leann Petty, Religious Studies major from Stockbridge, Ga.
• Wayne Von Young Jr., Social Work major from Baltimore

• Megan McKenna Quattrone, Chemistry and Kinesiology major from Carlisle, Pa.

• Gavin Gabriel Gibson, Philosophy and Psychology from Newark, Del.
• Taylor Jean Bauman, Biology major from Charlottesville, Va.

• Lindsey Brough Farrell, Communication major from Towson, Md.

• Gavin Gabriel Gibson, Philosophy and Psychology major from Newark, Del.