---
title: "A Remarkable Rebound: Terp Wins National Beinecke Scholarship"
date: 2024-06-24T11:15:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/a-remarkable-rebound-terp-wins-national-beinecke-scholarship"
section: Articles
---
# A Remarkable Rebound: Terp Wins National Beinecke Scholarship

*June 24, 2024* — by [Laura Barnhardt Cech](/author/laura-barnhardt-cech)


> After Withdrawing From UMD Due to Concussions’ Effects, Undergrad Returns and Excels

*Thurgood Marshall Hall Cherry Blossoms 03202024 JC 2271 1920x1080 — Onyekachukwu Arah ’25 is the third Terp to receive the Beinecke Scholarship since 2013. She is currently part of the McNair Scholars Research Institute interviewing partners-turned-caregivers of retired NFL players about managing the lasting effects of head trauma—an experience she can relate to.*

Onyekachukwu Arah ‘25 finished high school in the top 5% of her class and gave the speech at graduation. “A’s were what I knew,” she said.

A year later, still suffering the effects of a string of concussions, her University of Maryland GPA had sunk to 0.214. The debilitating headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, and trouble focusing prompted Arah to withdraw from the university so she could heal.


*Onyekachukwu Arah headshot*




**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Sociology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/sociology), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences), [Office of Undergraduate Studies](https://today.umd.edu/topic/office-undergraduate-studies), [School of Public Policy](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-public-policy)