Skip site navigation
Terp
Issues Departments Contact
Search
Issues Departments Contact

Fall 2024

Fall 2024 Lung illustration with bellhop outline inside. Viruses throughout

Welcome to the Hotel Influenza

A groundbreaking UMD researcher investigating how respiratory infections spread asks volunteers to check in—and get sick for science.

 Parting Shot Purple Line track being laid on campus

Track Record

Newly Laid Tracks for Purple Line Curve Up to Campus Drive

 Post-Grad four students leap over four others on stage during step show

Spring in Their Step

An ‘Underexposed’ Photo of UMD History

 Post-Grad Isaac Hirsch and Ken Jennings on "Jeopardy!" set

Back to the Buzzer

After 9 Wins on ‘Jeopardy!,’ History Grad to Return for Tournament of Champions

 Post-Grad Katie Labor outside brick house with red door

Behind Baltimore’s Closed Doors

Alumna Investigates the Small Histories in Charm City’s Houses

 Post-Grad collage of musical acts

What Happens in Vegas (Is Thanks to a Terp)

Alum Brings Big Concerts to Sin City

 Post-Grad Large group of young people taking a selfie

Alumni Association News

Tailgates, Touchdowns and Togetherness

 Explorations cartoon lock that says "fake"

Seal of AI-pproval

System Could Derail Video Fakes, Deep or Shallow

 Explorations collision of Lego cars

Clear ‘View’ of Road Dangers

From Sidewalks to Streetlights, Common Features Shown in Google’s Tech Linked to Crash Frequency

 Explorations Robert Stewart poses with arms crossed

An Insider’s Look at a Prison’s Imprint

Criminologist, Once Convicted, Studies Ripple Effects of Legal System Involvement

 Explorations pixelated people use devices with varying amounts of battery life: 80%, 4%, 100%

How to Zap Your Phone-Charging Phobias

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

 Explorations blue radiation emerges from the UMD reactor

Glowing ‘Gem of the University’

Maryland’s Little-Known Nuclear Reactor Observes a Half-Century of Fission

 Explorations Atmospheric and oceanic science Associate Professor Tim Canty, UMD President Darryll J. Pines and College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences Dean Amitabh Varshney discuss the technology behind a newly installed water level sensor

UMD Casts HydroNet to Predict, Prepare for Floods

Researchers, Local Leaders to Track Real-time Data in State’s Waterfront Communities

 Explorations astronaut on the moon

A New Reflection on History

Physicist Who Helped Send Mirrors to Moon on Apollo 11 Prepares to Launch an Improved Model

 Campus Life Esports athletes with arms folded looking at the camera

Leveling Up Gender Diversity

Women’s, Nonbinary Esports Teams Change the Game in Conference Competitions

 Campus Life Boxers in ring

Book Throws Jab at Art of Black Boxers

Researcher Reveals How Stereotypes Were Reinforced

 Campus Life fish, water bottle, frog, person holding bag of groceries, person holding stack of serving trays, dresser with two drawers

Sustainable Developments

Grant Program Greens Campus

 News lock illustration

Lab Awarded Record-Setting Research Contract of Up to $500M

Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security Addresses National Challenges With a Human-Centered Lens

 Campus Life student works on farm

Farm to Table, UMD Style

Terp Farm Celebrates 10 Years of Growing Fresh Produce for Campus

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue
Arch Scurlock

Passings

Arch Scurlock '69, M.S. ’71

Arch Scurlock '69, M.S. ’71 died on June 15, 2024, at age 77. He held an MBA from Harvard University and chemical engineering degrees from UMD. His career included work for the U.S. Public Health Service and Environmental Protection Agency, the Atlantic…
Joseph Stecher

00s

Joseph Stecher ’02

Joseph Stecher ’02 is the new president and CEO of Third Party International, an aviation and aerospace component manufacturing and consulting service, bringing a background in engineering and operations. His previous roles include director of operations…
Tanya LeRoith

90s

Tanya LeRoith ’94, D.V.M. ’99

Tanya LeRoith ’94, D.V.M. ’99 is the new director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She is keeping her previous position as director of the Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Service (ViTALS).…
Elia Powers

10s

Elia Powers Ph.D. ’14

Elia Powers Ph.D. ’14 wrote his first book, “Performing the News: Identity, Authority, and the Myth of Neutrality” (Rutgers University Press). It explores how journalists from historically marginalized groups have long felt pressure to conform when…
Pradeep Sharma

00s

Pradeep Sharma Ph.D. ’00

Pradeep Sharma Ph.D. ’00 was promoted to dean of the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering. He is the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Professor and has served on the college’s faculty for 20 years, most recently…
Steve Hoffman

80s

Steve Hoffman ’89

Steve Hoffman ’89 was named to the AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association) International Executive Committee. He is president of Fortinet Federal, a provider of cybersecurity platforms for federal agencies.

Passings

Martin Joseph Higgins M.A. ’63, Ph.D. ’67

Martin Joseph Higgins M.A. ’63, Ph.D. ’67, formerly of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and Beaufort, South Carolina, died on May 21, 2024, at age 86. Higgins graduated from Harrisburg Catholic High School, attended St. Francis University in Loretto and…
Carissa L. Rodeheaver

80s

Carissa L. Rodeheaver ’88

Carissa L. Rodeheaver ’88 was named to The Daily Record’s 2024 Banking & Financial Services Power List, recognizing movers in the industry in Maryland. She is the chairman, president and CEO of First United Bank & Trust. She was elected to a…