---
title: Alumni Association News
date: 2024-09-06T13:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://terp.umd.edu/alumni-association-news-21"
section: Articles
---
# Alumni Association News

*September 6, 2024* — by [Alumni Association Staff](/authors/alumni-association-staff)


- *Photo courtesy of Preet Mandavia*

*Large group of young people taking a selfie*

### Letter From the Senior Executive Director


*Jessica Roberts headshot*


---


### Tailgates, Touchdowns and Togetherness


**Homecoming Fans Reveal What Gets Them Hyped**

[Homecoming](https://homecoming.umd.edu/) at UMD isn’t just an annual tradition. It’s a rite of passage for thousands of returning Terps. We caught up with a few who are eager to celebrate and embrace the Terrapin nostalgia this fall with fellow alums.

**PREET MANDAVIA ’14  
North Bethesda, Md.**  
What brings Preet Mandavia ’14 to Homecoming? Without question, tailgating. And when the festivities keep going past kickoff, he’s content to catch the game via a grandpa’s iPad (although he admits inside SECU Stadium is the ideal location). Preet loves nothing more than cooking and partying with the people he made lifelong connections with in college, especially if those friends are traveling from far away. It’s his perfect recipe for a weekend filled with Terp pride.


*Brooke Parker, Dan Zawacki and baby*


*Lade Gbolade headshot in grad regalia*


*Andrew String poses in overalls at UMD football game*


**Sidebar note:**

**HOMECOMING WEEK 2024 | OCT. 13-19**  
*Come home to Maryland to cheer on the red, white, black and gold with fellow Terps.*

**TERP CARNIVAL**  
**OCT. 18, 5-8 P.M.**  
Kick off Homecoming weekend with this family-friendly event on McKeldin Mall. Enjoy food, games and a spectacular fireworks finale.

**LIFE WALL UNVEILING**  
**OCT. 19, 3.5 HOURS PRIOR TO KICKOFF**  
See the names of new Alumni Association lifetime members etched into the Frann G. & Eric S. Francis Lifetime Member Wall next to SECU Stadium.

**HOMECOMING TAILGATE**  
**OCT. 19, 2.5 HOURS PRIOR TO KICKOFF**  
The annual beer garden and tailgate in Moxley Gardens will feature drinks from Terp-owned breweries, delicious food, a live DJ and more. Members will receive one free food and drink voucher at the tailgate.

**EXCLUSIVE T-SHIRT**  
**STARTING OCT. 1**  
For the first time, the UMD Homecoming T-shirt will be available to all Terps! Get yours at [homecoming.umd.edu](https://homecoming.umd.edu/).





**Issue:** [Fall 2024](https://terp.umd.edu/editions/fall-2024)


**Types:** [Post-Grad](https://terp.umd.edu/category/post-grad)