2020 Darland All-American Scholars

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June 21, 2020   |    Abigail Hefter

Each year, faculty and staff are invited to nominate a student for the Darland All-American Scholarship. Nominees show the potential to contribute to America's future based on their character, citizenship, leadership, and values. This year, there were four award recipients, two of which are CEHSP students: Natalie Cahill and Jade Hipp.

Regent Emeritus Richard L. Griggs established the Darland All-American Scholarship in honor of Provost Emeritus Raymond W. Darland in 1976. The scholarship is awarded to students who have exhibited academic excellence and leadership skills.

Cahill is a rising senior studying exercise science with a minor in psychology. She is an active member of the UMD tennis team and can often be found at the Newman Center, the campus Catholic community center.

After graduating, Cahill plans to attend a physical therapy program and eventually work in geriatrics. Cahill says, "I hope to help others gain mobility and independence after experiencing injuries, surgeries, or chronic ailments, and I also want to be an educator on the benefits of even just a little physical activity each day."

The head coach of the UMD tennis team, Jessica Worden, had nothing but praise for Cahill in her letter recommending Cahill to receive the Darland All-American Scholarship. "Natalie has blossomed into a true leader—both around campus and on our team," says Worden, "Perhaps what inspires me most about Natalie is how she is continually looking for more opportunities to give back to the community and take on additional leadership roles."

Hipp is a first-generation college student and rising senior at UMD studying public health with a minor in psychology. She enjoys being outdoors, whether it's for camping, hiking, or swimming, and plans to become a community health specialist upon graduating.

"I value the importance of promoting and protecting the health of people and their communities," says Hipp, "I plan to address broad issues that can affect the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities, populations, and societies—both now and for generations to come."

Hipp also received high praise in her recommendation letter from Mitzi Doane, an associate professor in the Department of Public Health. Doane says, "As a leader, Jade is a natural ... She possesses the rare ability to put theory into action." Doane adds, "I have no doubt that whatever she chooses to do, she will do it well and make UMD proud."

Two additional students were honored with the 2020-21 Darland All-American Scholarship: Elizabeth Breitbach, a chemical engineering major, and Rachael Solarz, a mathematics major with minor in aerospace studies.

Pictured in top photo: Natalie Cahill and Jade Hipp