- September 15, 2025
- More articles By Alumni Association Staff
- Photo courtesy of UMD Alumni Association
- Illustrations via iStock
Letter From the Senior Executive Director
AS FALL DESCENDS on campus, it’s impossible not to feel a buzz of excitement. The students are back, the tailgates are in full swing, and the energy is contagious. As alums, you’ll always have a home at Maryland—wherever you are in the world.
We know that professional development is a top priority for many alums, which is why we’re committed to ensuring you’re never alone on your career journey. Last year, nearly 13,000 Terps participated in our career programs, designed to support alums at every point along their professional paths. We launched the Recent Alumni Mentorship Program to connect new grads with established alums, offering one-on-one guidance and volunteer opportunities to nearly 100 Terps. We also maintain a curated list of resources for those who work, or have worked, in the federal government to help them navigate times of transition.
Whether it’s through volunteering in your community during Do Good Month, joining our thriving Summer Reading Challenge or traveling the world with fellow Terps, your Alumni Association is always here for you. I had the privilege of joining 20 Terps on a journey to the Amalfi Coast this summer, and exploring a beautiful destination with the camaraderie of fellow alums was something I’ll never forget.
And—I may be biased as a Terp football fan—the best way to soak up the spirit of the season is by joining us at Homecoming, where we’ll host thousands of alums like you to celebrate all things Maryland.
I can’t wait to welcome you back home. Go Terps!
Jessica K. Roberts ’02
Senior Executive Director
University of Maryland Alumni Association
With Travel Program, Maryland Ties Extend Around the World
WHEN MICHAEL TANGRETI ’80 retired, he knew it was time to tackle his travel bucket list. But as a solo traveler, questions started running through his mind: Am I going to be bored? Am I going to have things in common with people? What’s it going to be like? He found the answers with the University of Maryland Alumni Association.
He’s taken two trips through its travel program in the past two years—making memories and new Terp friends—and plans to take more.
“Traveling with the Alumni Association offers me an immediate door opener to things in common with other people as soon as I get there,” he says. Tangreti first traveled with Terps in 2023 to the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, France and Italy, where he joyfully experienced their cultures and cuisines. He returned for a trip to the Adriatic in 2024. There, he met fellow alums from all over the U.S.
“Even though we’re all quite unique and different people, and we don’t know each other when the week starts, by the end of the trip, you make some pretty close ties,” Tangreti says.
Among his new friends are Audrey ’89 and Jeff Krause ’86. Like Tangreti, they decided to travel more after retirement. On their 2024 Adriatic cruise (above), the Krauses took comfort not only in the Terp community, but also in the convenience of a luxury, planned trip.
“They had locals that were trained to be tour guides that told us the history,” Jeff says. “I can’t remember a time where they said, ‘I don’t know.’ They were excited about the work.”
The trip inspired the Krauses to get more involved with their alma mater. They attended the 2024 Homecoming Tailgate, their first event as alums.
“We got a fantastic education at UMD and went on to pursue our career goals,” Jeff says. “Now, after retiring, it’s been great to connect back with the university.”
Take your next adventure with Terps. Visit go.umd.edu/travelingterps.
Tailgate Like a Terp
Alums Share 5 Tips for Game Day
As Maryland prepares to take on Indiana at the Homecoming game on Nov. 1, it’s time to think about your own game plan—for tailgating. Whether you’ve never partied in a parking lot or you’re looking to go pro, UMD alums stepped up to share their best advice. (Hint: It involves a lot of Old Bay).
PACE YOURSELF
“I always start off with water or non-alcoholic drinks and try not to drink too much,” says Deana Perlmutter ’89. “You don’t want to risk missing the game!”
PLAY IT SAFE
Get a foldable roadtrip/tailgate grill. “They run on propane, which means once you turn it off and unscrew the gas, you can head right into your event,” says Clyde D. Thompson ’10.
UP YOUR FOOD GAME
Try a seafood boil packet with shrimp, sausage, corn and cut-up potatoes, drizzled in oil and Old Bay (of course), and folded in aluminum foil. Cook on the grill on high for about 20 minutes. “You can pre-make the packets the night before, and just put them on when your friends say they are almost there,” says Thompson.
SHOW UP & SHOW OUT
“Come dressed in your best Maryland gear,” says Traci Jack ’97. Think jerseys, flag patterns and anything drenched in red, gold, black and white.
Consider grabbing the official 2025 Homecoming T-shirt to help “red out” the stadium.
SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY
“Both the one you’re born into and the one you find in red and gold. Come with an open heart and a welcoming mindset,” Taylor Studds ’17 says. Be ready to share: your games, your Old Bay-covered snacks and your table. “It’s a chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.”
With this tailgate playbook in hand, you’ll be ready to cheer the Terps on to victory. For tailgate food, fun and fizz, your Alumni Association has you covered. Join us three hours before kickoff for the biggest tailgate on campus, at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center.