About the Judith Helen Hager Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Judith Helen Hager Endowed Memorial Scholarship will provide merit-based scholarships for returning undergraduate students (at least 25 years of age who have earned at least 60 credits towards a bachelor’s degree) at the University of Maryland.
Judith Helen Hager (née Pommer) was born in 1938 in Park Ridge, Illinois. After graduating from Maine Township High School, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Rockford College in 1960, gaining distinction during her junior year abroad in Scotland as the first American woman to play on the University of Edinburgh women’s field hockey team. In June 1962, she earned her Master of Arts in Teaching, also at Rockford College, and began teaching high school English.
After spending several years at home corralling her four rambunctious children on the family’s 50-acre farm in Illinois, Judy returned again to the classroom in 1981, this time at Hononegah High School. There, her love of nature and her passionate environmentalism inspired Judy to found the school’s Illinois Rivers Project, a groundbreaking program that incorporated hands-on scientific research; historical, environmental, economic and geographic studies; creative and technical writing; and artistic interpretation to help students study all facets of Illinois’ Rock River. In 1994, for her work with the Rivers Project, Judy was named the Winnebago County Conservation Educator of the Year. After her 1994 “retirement” from teaching, Judy joined the Boone County Conservation District as their Education Coordinator and Camp Director, a role which allowed her to expand her work integrating conservation and environmental study into interdisciplinary learning experiences for children of all ages.
Although Judy passed away in 1996, her twin passions, education and conservation, left an indelible legacy of environmental activism, courage, kindness, and love that taught her students—and her family—to always consider the impact our lives have on others, and how we can work together to create a better world for all.
We Shall Meet Again
January 30, 1995
Not once, but often,
Every time I see the waters of our land,
In every brook, every stream, every river
Shall we meet again.
In every mind and heart of young men and women,
With each lift of every hand to test, to proclaim, to mitigate,
Through every wide-eyed caring and sharing
Shall we meet again.
What you have set in motion
Will outlive us all…
Legacy appropriate to your sacrifice,
Endless, timeless inheritance.
Tears now mingle with our waters,
Cleansing, healing, nurturing,
But steadfast and determined like you,
The work and hope of it all goes on.
Not once, but often,
Every time I see the waters of our land,
In every brook, every stream, every river
Shall we meet again.
- Judith Helen Hager
Past Scholars
Ayton Horn (2024-2025 Scholar)
Ayton Horn started at Montgomery College part time for a few years before transferring over to Maryland. Upon enrolling at the University of Maryland, Ayton decided to pursue the Communications Major. Through going to school full time as well as working to maintain himself, forms of leadership weren't exactly possible. However, a side hobby of Ayton’s has been DJing for the last few years. Over his time at UMD, Ayton has become the UMD DJ; everyone knows him across the flagship venues. Ayton has worked at both Cornerstone and Looneys in College Park, leading to his involvement in the community. Ayton has learned a lot in these last few years, and at times it has been extremely tough. However, his academic pursuits have been the center of his drive. Ayton comes from a family where neither of his parents went to college, and although his start was tough, he has shown significant GPA increases over the past years, taking his education more and more seriously. Now as he approaches the finish line, Ayton is thankful for the Maryland experience he’s had.
Dora Hu (2023-2024 Scholar)
With Dora Hu’s background as a first-generation college student and immigrant, pursuing a degree was extremely hard for her. Thankfully, Maryland has helped her develop the skills she needed for her professional career. Dora has had many people help her throughout the journey, and she can't do this without the University of Maryland's help.
Gian Tavelli (2022-2023 Scholar)
A first generation immigrant, Gian Carla Tavelli came to this country when she was 18 to pursue a college degree. Although she wasn't initially successful in achieving that goal, Gian's journey has led her to fulfilling work in Haiti, Bolivia, and Peru. Most notably co-founding a small business enterprise that generated income and marketing opportunities for many indigenous artisans in Bolivia. Now as an older student, Gian is pursing a Studio Art degree with the intent of eventually teaching at the high school or college level.