Fall 2022

Post-Grad

A Request to Stamp Out ‘Coarseness’ and ‘Misbehavior’

On Centennial of UMD Hiring First Dean of Women, Peek at President’s Letter to Her

Post-Grad

Blue Ambition

Food Chemist Perks Up Palette of M&Ms, Other Candies

Post-Grad

Anju Bist MBA ’98 and group show banana fiber sanitary pads

A Period of Change

Alum’s Banana Fiber Menstrual Pads Offer Accessible Solution to Girls and Women in India

Post-Grad

Critic Thinking

Vulture Writer Makes Sharp Points on Popular Culture

Post-Grad

Alumni Association News

Directory to You; Stoking Homecoming Spirit

Explorations

Flipping the Channel

New Professor Left Cable News for Climate Data Science

Explorations

The Big Question

What’s the Best or Worst Fictionalized Depiction of Your Field in Film, TV or a Book?

Explorations

Painting of Ukraine flag colors with Twitter birds

Big Data ‘Early Alarm’ for Ukraine Abuses

System Analyzes Millions of Tweets Daily to Quickly Pinpoint Atrocities, Refugee Flows

Explorations

At Journey’s End, a Warmer Welcome

Researcher Studies How Schools Can Better Integrate Young Unaccompanied Migrants

Explorations

Right in the Nose

Inhaled Vaccine Creates Immunity Where It’s Most Needed

Explorations

A New ‘Script’ for LGTBQ+ Patient Caregivers

Training Program Aims to Improve Mental Health Treatment

Explorations

Painting of woman at table with "hey," "wyd" text bubbles

How to Make Friends as an Adult—and Keep Them

In New Book, Psychologist Debunks Myths, Offers Tips

Explorations

Signs of the Times

Dean’s Expert Testimony Illuminates Texas ‘No Guns’ Case

Campus Life

Kevin Willard guides Julian Reese through a drill

Fast Break With New Head Hoops Coach

Get to Know Kevin Willard Through a Rapid-Fire Q&A

Explorations

A ‘Word’ About Research

Museum-based Project Engages Broader Public on Language Science

Campus Life

Talk About an Impressive Season

Men’s Lacrosse Team Captures NCAA Title—and We’ve Got the Final Words (and Tweets) on It

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

00s

Andrew “Drew” Vetter ’05

Andrew “Drew” Vetter ’05 joined Annapolis law and lobbying firm Schwartz, Metz, Wise & Kauffman. Vetter served as deputy administrative officer in the Office of Baltimore County Executive John A. Olszewski Jr. from 2018-22. Vetter is a licensed…

00s

Eliza Wiggins ’06

Eliza Wiggins ’06 joined the International Gaming Institute of the University of Las Vegas community programs manager. She previously led alumni, donor and community advancement strategy for the University of California San Diego’s advancement.

10s

Meg Eden Kuyatt ’12, MFA ’16

Meg Eden Kuyatt ’12, MFA ’16 is the author of “Good Different,” a middle-grade novel in verse that tells the story of a neurodivergent girl who comes to understand and celebrate her difference. It will be published by Scholastic in March 2023.

00s

Dr. Melissa Dooley ’01

Dr. Melissa Dooley ’01 assumed command of the 60th Medical Group and the Sacramento Directorship at the Air Force’s largest hospital, David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in California. Dooley earned an M.D. from the Uniformed Services…

Passings

Helen “Candy” Byrnes ’66

Helen “Candy” Byrnes ’66 died of pulmonary complications on May 11, 2022, at her home in Baltimore. She was 77. Byrnes was a 1963 graduate of Garrison Forest School, where she played tennis and field hockey. She earned a history degree at UMD, where she…

90s

Dana Ritzcovan ’93

Dana Ritzcovan ’93 was hired by Royal Caribbean Group for the new position of executive vice president and chief people and outreach officer. She was previously chief HR officer and executive vice president at News Corp.

Passings

Laura Beth Covarrubias ’07

Laura Beth Covarrubias ’07 of Glenmont, N.Y., died on June 8, 2022, as a result of a motorcycle accident. Born in Olney, Md., she moved to Wisconsin after graduating from the University of Maryland. She received a master’s degree from the University of…

Passings

Roger R. Rice ’59

Roger R. Rice ’59, a nearly lifelong resident of Harford County, Md., on May 28, 2022, at age 88. A graduate of Bel Air High School and UMD, he was the first member of his family to graduate from college and he prioritized education for his children. Rice…