Spotlight on Faculty and Staff for Convocation

Globally renowned scholars, life-changing instructors and staffers doing vital behind-the-scenes work are among the 26 members of the UMD community who will be honored for their service and contributions during the 38th annual Convocation today.

The event returns this year to its traditional setting in Memorial Chapel, scheduled at 2 p.m., after the pandemic drove last year’s celebration online.

Ritu Agarwal, a Distinguished University Professor and Robert H. Smith Dean’s Chair of Information Systems, will receive the President’s Medal, which recognizes extraordinary contributions to the intellectual, social and cultural life of Maryland. Agarwal, a preeminent scholar of management information systems and trailblazer for female faculty at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, has been a leader and trusted advisor since arriving on campus in 1999, serving as senior associate dean, interim dean and on two presidential search committees.

Liangbing Hu, the Herbert Rabin Distinguished Professor and a Minta Martin Professor of Engineering, will receive the Kirwan Faculty Research and Scholarship Prize for his exceptional experiments to advance energy storage and modify wood for novel uses like translucent window panes and water desalination. Hu will also be awarded the designation of Distinguished Scholar-Teacher.

Ann Smith, assistant dean in the Office of Undergraduate Studies, will receive the Kirwan Undergraduate Education Award for her efforts to promote authentic and team-based learning experiences, improve general education curriculum and measure effectiveness.

Find out more about all awardees by clicking on their names below.