The Board of Directors of the College Park Scholars Alumni Association has selected Sammy Popat as this year’s outstanding alumni award recipient. Since his time as an Arts scholar and Resident Assistant (RA) in Centreville Hall, Popat, who received his Scholars’ citation in 1999 and graduated from the university in 2002, has generously given his time and energy to better the alumni association and the College Park Scholars program.

“Sammy is a great guy because of his endless enthusiasm and willingness to jump into any project,” said Chris Branin (’03 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient and CPSAA President). When both Branin and Popat were scholars in the Arts program, Popat was Branin’s RA in Centerville Hall. He said that even as a person of authority, Popat was very approachable and down to earth.

Popat currently serves on the Alumni Association's council as a representative for the Arts program. Among his many undertakings, he has taken the initiative to plan and promote the Lise Van Susteren environmental discussion scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6. His dedication and passion for the Scholars program has made him unquestionably deserving of this year’s award.

Past recipients of this prestigious award are Scholars who have contributed to the program years after earning their citation. Sammy Popat has greatly impacted Scholars and the CPSAA and is most certainly a “lifelong scholar.”

Featured on the Scholars Alumni Association website is a brief video that highlights various events and opportunities available for Scholars Alumni. Laurence Jackson, a sophomore Business, Society and the Economy scholar, created this introductory video to welcome and guide Scholars Alumni throughout the website. Not sure how to get involved with CPSAA? Watch the video and learn more about CPSAA at www.collegeparkscholars.com.

Haven’t heard enough good things about Scholars in New York?

Here are five reasons why you don’t want to miss this year’s trip:

1.     It’s a great way to stay involved and catch up with your fellow scholars alumni.

2.     Always wanted to see a Broadway show in the Big Apple? Take your pick from six different performances!

3.     Spend two wonderful evenings in the center of all the excitement at the Hilton New York.

4.     Experience famous New York attractions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

5.     There will be a CPSAA Friday Happy Hour and Saturday evening pre-theater prix-fixed dinner for those who wish to attend.

We hope that reasons one through five have convinced you to sign up, but if you have further questions about this opportunity, feel free to visit the CPSAA website for more details. See you all in New York!

The First Year Book Program, the Division of Student Affairs Environment Committee, Phi Kappa Phi, and EcoHouse join the CPSAA and College Park Scholars in encouraging current scholars, alumni, and the campus community to attend an environmental presentation by Lise Van Susteren at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007. Professionally trained by former Vice President, Al Gore, Van Susteren will address global climate change and its many implications, educate the community on environmentally safe practices and advocate for a greener lifestyle.