--- title: ‘A Close Observer of Humankind’ date: 2026-05-15T12:43:00-04:00 author: University of Maryland canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/a-close-observer-of-humankind" section: Articles --- # ‘A Close Observer of Humankind’ *May 15, 2026* — by [John Tucker](/author/john-tucker) > Magazine Editor and Poet Honored as University Medalist; 4 Finalists Recognized for Scholarship, Advocacy and Service *Medalist Ghahremani Noora 04292026 SC 3010 1920x1080 — English literature and psychology dual-degree student Noora Ghahremani ’26, this year's university medalist, plans to complete an accelerated master’s program in the Robert H. Smith School of Business before pursuing a career in mediation and conflict resolution. (Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle)* Noora Ghahremani ’26 arrived at the University of Maryland determined to push beyond the conventions of writing, and in the years since, she has done exactly that: founding one literary magazine, editing another, and establishing herself as an award-winning poet. The English literature and psychology dual-degree student did much more during her time on campus—from reenergizing the Spanish Club to completing three minors—saying she takes to heart Thoreau’s goal to “suck out all the marrow of life.” “I have never had a student as brilliant and modest; as collegial with classmates; as perceptive a learner; and as hardworking as Noora,” said Professor of English Michael Olmert, calling her a “close observer of humankind.” That sums up her recognition as university medalist, the highest honor bestowed on a graduating senior each academic year, based on academic distinction, exemplary character and service to the campus or broader community. The native of Ellicott City, Md., applied her talents impactfully beyond the classroom. Last year as president of the UMD chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English honor society, she founded, staffed and edited *Quillpower*, a literary arts magazine. She also was editor-in-chief of *Impressions*, the literary magazine for UMD’s Honors Humanities program. Ghahremani pursued psychology to support her legal aspirations by studying human behavior—“to inform how I approach future clients, families and businesses, and also to understand myself,” she said. As Spanish Club president, she helped increase membership from 30 to 300 by boosting recruitment, departmental partnerships and fundraising. As philanthropy chair for UMD’s Iranian Student Foundation, she helped secure thousands of dollars for charity. She completed minors in law and society, Spanish language, and creative writing and served as an undergraduate teaching assistant for the departments of English and Psychology and Honors Humanities. Ghahremani received this year’s Phi Beta Kappa Senior Award, bestowed by UMD’s chapter of the honor society for her commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, freedom of inquiry and expression, intellectual integrity and the love of knowledge for its own sake. She was also one of two winners of the Seidel Keystone Prize for Achievement, the highest academic distinction in UMD’s Honors Humanities program, for her collection of ekphrastic poems—vivid descriptions of visual arts that she grounded in rigorous literary and art historical scholarship. She said her studies of divergent viewpoints and teachings in literary texts will serve her in law school, where she will pursue a career in mediation and conflict resolution. Before that, she’ll spend a year completing an accelerated master’s program in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. “As technology increasingly mediates decision-making, the human capacity to listen, understand competing perspectives and reimagine solutions will become even more critical,” she said. Read on for more about the four finalists for university medalist: *Anirud Aggarwal headshot* *Nishkal Hundia headshot* *Lucian Jessel headshot* *Raina Saraiya headshot* **Sidebar note:** The University of Maryland will celebrate its newest graduates at commencement exercises across campus May 19-22. Maryland Today is celebrating too with stories on the following: - Wednesday, May 13: [Your guide to commencement cords and medals](https://today.umd.edu/get-the-hang-of-umds-commencement-cords) - Thursday, May 14: [Student marshals](https://today.umd.edu/86-graduates-honored-as-senior-marshals) - Friday, May 15: Medalist and finalists - Monday, May 18: [The Orthodox nun earning a degree](https://today.umd.edu/at-umd-an-orthodox-nun-builds-on-her-calling) - Tuesday, May 19: [Terps’ advice to new grads](https://today.umd.edu/the-best-career-advice-terps-ever-got) - Wednesday, May 20: [Student speaker](https://today.umd.edu/student-commencement-speaker-builds-connections-with-and-without-a-hardhat) - Friday, May 22: [Main commencement ceremony coverage](https://today.umd.edu/astronaut-to-graduates-today-is-your-liftoff) For information about tickets, ceremony locations, parking and more, visit [commencement.umd.edu](http://commencement.umd.edu/). **Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community) **Tags:** [Commencement 2026](https://today.umd.edu/topic/commencement-2026), [English](https://today.umd.edu/topic/english), [Psychology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/psychology), [Computer Science](https://today.umd.edu/topic/computer-science), [Mathematics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/mathematics), [International Relations & Affairs](https://today.umd.edu/topic/international-relations-affairs), [Neuroscience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/neuroscience), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience) **Units:** [College of Arts and Humanities](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-arts-and-humanities), [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences), [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences), [Robert H. Smith School of Business](https://today.umd.edu/topic/robert-h-smith-school-business)