Honors Humanities Alum Awarded For Leadership in Student Government

Noah Eckman ’20, a chemical engineering major and music performance minor, received the William L. Thomas Student Government Association Award for his service.

Noah Eckman ’20, a chemical engineering major and music performance minor, and alumnus of the College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) Honors Humanities program, was recently announced as this year’s recipient of UMD’s William L. Thomas Student Government Association Award. 

The award is given to a Student Government Association (SGA) member who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service to the association.

“I’m extremely humbled to receive this award,” Eckman said. “It means a lot to me to be recognized by my fellow peers.”

Eckman has held multiple roles in the SGA over the past four years. He began as a representative for the School of Engineering his freshman year, a position which he held for two years. He served as speaker of the legislature and chief of staff. He also founded and was the chair of the Student Facilities Fund, a committee which grants money for facilities-based projects on campus. 

“I learned to think organizationally and strategically about getting stuff started,” he said. “Also, how to work with people within the dynamic of a campus. The SGA is all about having relationships with administrators and advocating on behalf of students and making positive change that way.”  

While at Maryland, Eckman co-authored three journal papers and four conference papers and played cello in the UMD Repertoire Orchestra. He will begin a Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Stanford University in the fall. 

Headshot courtesy of Eckman.