When Mikayla Carroll arrived at the Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center on April 4, she was unaware of the surprise awaiting her.
Carroll, a graduating senior majoring in commercial photography, was one of four students who received the Award of Excellence for their respective undergraduate schools during the 71st Annual Honors Convocation. The convocation, held in the Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, celebrated the academic achievements of more than 700 University of Maryland Eastern Shore undergraduate students.
As with tradition, the four award recipients had no knowledge they were chosen for the recognition.
“I feel very grateful and blessed,” she said. “When I came into the building, I didn’t even get a program, so I had no idea about it. It was a wonderful surprise.”
In addition to Carroll (School of Education, Social Sciences and the Arts), Issac Cullen (School of Business and Technology), Gerald Elston Jr., (School of Pharmacy & Health Professions), and Kennedy Holder (School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences) were named as most outstanding students.
Elston, a graduating senior majoring in rehabilitation services, said being named an Award of Excellence winner is a testament to his persistence, strong faith, and a solid support system.
“It was all about hard work, dedication, a loving God, a loving family, and a department that’s second-to-none,” he said. “The faculty and staff put the students first and want to make sure that they excel, and this is just a culmination of that.”
Holder, also a graduating senior, said being a recipient of the accolade had her “overwhelmed with joy” as it showed the importance of engagement and diligence.
“I made good connections with my teachers and feel like as my time at UMES is coming to an end, this hard work is paying off,” the human ecology major said. “Being part of an event like this and making your name known on campus is very important.”
Cullen, the sole underclassman to receive the award, said he did his work in an unassuming fashion, which made it all the more surprising for the electronics engineering technology major.
“I figured I was just a normal student doing what students do,” the junior said. “I feel it’s a great honor and it’s setting me up for my future.”
Convocation keynote speaker Jessica Money, a 2020 UMES graduate and current English lecturer, remembered when she was in a similar position as many of the students in the audience. Money emphasized the importance of taking the time to cherish all of the little victories on the way to the ultimate goal – graduation.
“Today is only a mere moment in your journey, but it is a moment of recognition and celebration for the hard work you have invested so far,” she said. “Please, do not let this moment slip past you.”
Carroll said being named an Award of Excellence winner vindicates her choice to attend UMES.
“I couldn’t be any more grateful for the professors I’ve gotten the opportunity to meet here and the experiences I’ve had here leading up to this wonderful opportunity,” she said. “It means everything to me.”
