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The University of Maryland’s 37th annual Convocation today will honor 27 faculty and staff for their contributions to education, research and the campus community. Marcio Oliveira, assistant vice president of academic technology and innovation, and executive director of the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center, will receive the President’s Medal, which recognizes extraordinary contributions to the intellectual, social and cultural life of Maryland. Oliveira is being recognized for his innovative track record and leadership in moving the university to remote operations due to COVID-19.

Despite the constraints of the pandemic, UMD’s 2020 Disability Awareness Month activities are attracting more participation than ever, with turnout in some cases doubled compared to last year, organizers say. Held each October, Disability Awareness Month is a national campaign to raise awareness about disability issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's employees with a range of disabilities. Open to the public, this year’s virtual events are drawing attendees from a much wider geographic area than ever before, including many from out of state.

A new collaboration between the University of Maryland and Bowie State University will honor the memory of 1st Lt. Richard Collins III, who was killed on the College Park campus in 2017, by creating new opportunities to learn about and foster social justice.