Motivational Speaker and Philanthropist

College of Education graduate Tom Willis (’80 B.A., ’88 M.Ed) was born with a “no problem” philosophy. He was also born without arms and hands. Yet, Willis has not let his physical difference stand in the way of living life to its fullest. It was that can–do attitude, adaptability and resourcefulness that further ensured his success at the University of Maryland. He graduated with honors in three and a half years with a 4.0 GPA. Willis’ current endeavor involves his love of baseball through a project called “Pitch for Awareness.” Willis is traveling to major league baseball stadiums across the country to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Rising Star Teacher

Eupil K. Muhn (‘11 M.Ed.) is an English teacher at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was named the 2012 Marian Greenblatt Education Fund Rising Star Teacher of the Year, an award given annually to a first or second–year Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher who demonstrates exceptional promise.

Outstanding New Scholar

Caroline Eick (’05 Ph.D.) is Assistant Professor and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton professor in the School of Education and Human Services at Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland. Eick was honored as the College’s Outstanding New Scholar at the Alumni Awards ceremony. Her intersecting research interests include: historical perspectives on processes of integration in secondary education (1954–present); theory in educational history, global trends in education, and multiracial/multilingual students. Caroline is fluent in French, Croatian, and Spanish and espouses a transformative philosophy of education.