University President

As the spring term ends, I look back with pride at the contributions and accomplishments of this university’s students over the past year.

In the words of Dr. Seuss’s zestful classic, Oh, the Places You’ll Go, you — the students — have “brains in your head” and “feet in your shoes.” You are “ready for anything under the sky.”

Your years at this university are an incandescent time of growth. You shine by finding innovative ways to blend learning and action. You are caring, curious and high-achieving.

“You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

I am amazed by the many passionate paths of service you have chosen. This is no passive, self-absorbed generation. From freshmen to postdoctoral students, you put your brains and feet to work.

Your passion for sustainability has kept us on track to reduce our carbon footprint. We now rank among the greenest U.S. campuses.

The Student Government Association worked to lower the eligible age for serving on the College Park City Council to 18. The SGA organized 80 students from all Big Ten universities to lobby on Capitol Hill on behalf of student causes. Thousands of students petitioned online for pedestrian safety on Route 1. This is the stuff of leadership.

Your hearts reached out abroad and at home. Students Helping Honduras took top honors at this year’s Do Good Challenge. They raised more than $25,000, and more than 100 students from this university went to Honduras to build school buildings during winter break.

Engineers Without Borders raised money to carry out a project in Ethiopia. Public Health Without Borders raised funds for a project in Sierra Leone. Fraternities and sororities surpassed their membership records and devoted thousands of hours to community service.

Right after the data breach, dozens of students staffed our emergency call center. Cybersecurity students will be interning with and assisting our information technology staff this summer.

“You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.”

Literally! Gamera, a team of more than 50 engineering students, labored countless hours to set world records in human-powered helicopter flight.

Student interest in innovation and entrepreneurship has soared. Three students won national University Innovation Fellow awards. Two companies founded by our students and alumni won prizes at the annual Cupid’s Cup, chaired by Kevin Plank, Under Armour founder and CEO. This is why this university’s entrepreneurship programs are among the top 20 in the U.S.

Students continue to excel at winning national scholarships. For the third year in a row, students at this university led the nation with 12 Boren Scholarships for language study abroad. The National Science Foundation awarded 24 of our students highly competitive research fellowships.

Across all disciplines, you achieve. Computer and engineering students won the U.S. Major League Hacking Championship in the fall and events at this university’s Bitcamp. The University of Maryland Chamber Singers were selected to compete this summer in Seoul, South Korea, against the best choral ensembles in the world. Our urban design students won this year’s Urban Land Institute Student Urban Design Competition, bringing home the $50,000 first prize.

“There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.”

I applaud our student-athletes for their commitment and performance, both on and off the field. As we compete in the Big Ten, I know you will continue to be exemplary representatives of this university.

“Sadly, it’s true … hang-ups can happen to you.”

Of course, there are times when you feel “all alone,” when “you mix up your right foot with your left,” when “your arms … get sore and your sneakers … leak.”

But always remember: Terps possess a can-do attitude. Terps are FEARLESS. Terps have chutzpah. To be a Terp is to THINK BIG. Aim high. Take risks. Persevere. Never give in. Never give up. This is why this university’s students lead lives of accomplishment, commitment and service.

“Will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! 98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.” You already have!

You can contact Wallace Loh at president@umd.edu or on Twitter @presidentloh.