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 November-December 2007      
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Upcoming Events

Dec. 1: Pre-Concert Reception
6:30 p.m., Chaney Library, Riggs Alumni Center
Invited guests will hear a presentation from Susie Farr, executive director of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in advance of the annual holiday concert. For more information call 301.405.1416.

Dec. 1: Holiday Concert
8 p.m., Delkelboum Concert Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Repeat performance Dec. 2, 3 p.m.
The Maryland Chorus, William Culverhouse, music director, celebrates the 40th anniversary of this annual holiday tradition with seasonal favorites and celebrated choruses from Handel's oratorios. The program will feature a tribute to Dr. Paul Traver, founder of the University of Maryland Chorus.

Dec. 19: Winter Commencement
7 p.m., Comcast Center


Helping Students Reach for the Stars
Retired Professor Supports Undeclared Majors Exploring Different Paths

Betty J. Beckley
Betty Beckley (center) with Deborah Bryant, assistant dean and director, Division of Letters and Sciences, and Donna Hamilton, associate provost and dean, Undergraduate Studies
he life’s work of a child prodigy seems pretty clear. However, by the time many people reach adulthood, they are not certain what their life’s work will be. Many are pressured by relatives, peers or teachers to decide on a career. Retired Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies Betty J. Beckley wants students to explore a range of subject areas before deciding on a major. To support their efforts, the Betty J. Beckley Award for Letters and Sciences Students, the first award of its kind, provides scholarships to sophomores who are undeclared majors giving them time to delve into various academic areas before settling on a major.

When Beckley, who was the first director of Letters and Sciences (LTSC) at Maryland, retired in 1997, her colleagues set up a scholarship fund in her name for LTSC students. Over time, Beckley continued to contribute to the fund, which now totals more than $67,000.

“It’s to reward the student who wants to take the time to explore, at some risk to themselves because, the general campus culture so often assumes that the student who explores is not the student who is really equipped academically. I don’t believe that to be the case,” Beckley says. The student who has not decided on a major often creates more options to build knowledge and skill about a range of subjects.

Betty J. Beckley
Betty Beckley meets the first recipients of her scholarships: (L-R ) Stephanie Murphy, Christopher Hardin and Mary Feng
“We are grateful to Betty Beckley for recognizing these terrific students, and for highlighting a critical need for this program, which supports nearly 4,000 students who have not declared a major,” says Donna Hamilton, associate provost and dean of Undergraduate Studies. Letters and Sciences provides these students with an academic home, which offers advising and encouragement to explore various majors and career options, and to take advantage of outside-the-classroom learning experiences.

Each year, the Beckley scholarships are awarded to three high achieving students who are pursuing a variety of interests. At the time of application, students must be undeclared majors. Among the inaugural 2007 recipients, Mary Feng, a double major in psychology and marketing, says the Beckley award has been “an incredible resource. As an Asian American from an immigrant family, I have endured both academic and financial challenges.” A member of the College Park Scholars living and learning community, she is also a leader of the Chinese Student Association and president of the La Plata Hall Council.

Pursuing a degree in international business and management, Stephanie Murphy says, “LTSC expanded my awareness of community service activities on-campus, assisted me in building business skills and setting long-term career goals.” She hopes to one day found an international relief organization.

For business major Christopher Hardin, the Beckley scholarship was available when no other scholarships were offered. A skilled golfer, he has received several awards including the President’s Volunteer Service Award and Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Beckley observes that many people are dissatisfied years after building their careers. “It’s never too late to make some changes. But if this preparation were broader, if we truly looked at education in the liberal sense and focused on educating our kids,” says Beckley, “then they would really be prepared.”


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Black Dots

Published by the University of Maryland 2007