Fall 2024

Lung illustration with bellhop outline inside. Viruses throughout

September 06, 2024

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

Parting Shot

September 06, 2024

Newly Laid Tracks for Purple Line Curve Up to Campus Drive

four students leap over four others on stage during step show

Post-Grad

September 06, 2024

An ‘Underexposed’ Photo of UMD History

Isaac Hirsch and Ken Jennings on "Jeopardy!" set

Post-Grad

September 06, 2024

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

Katie Labor outside brick house with red door

Post-Grad

September 06, 2024

Alumna Investigates the Small Histories in Charm City’s Houses

Post-Grad

September 06, 2024

Alum Brings Big Concerts to Sin City

Large group of young people taking a selfie

Post-Grad

September 06, 2024

Tailgates, Touchdowns and Togetherness

Explorations

September 06, 2024

System Could Derail Video Fakes, Deep or Shallow

Explorations

September 06, 2024

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

Explorations

September 06, 2024

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

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

Explorations

September 06, 2024

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

blue radiation emerges from the UMD reactor

Explorations

September 06, 2024

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

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

Explorations

September 06, 2024

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

Explorations

September 06, 2024

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

Esports athletes with arms folded looking at the camera

Campus Life

September 06, 2024

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

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

Passings

Sheila A. Rovelstad ’72

Sheila A. Rovelstad ’72 died on May 20, 2024, in Venice, Florida, at the age of 73. At UMD, she was active in Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She went on to become owner of the Artistree Shop in Ellicott City, Maryland, cosmetics manager of the May Company in…

Passings

Claudia Brush Kidwell ’62

Claudia Brush Kidwell ’62 of Richmond, Va., died on Feb. 29, 2024, at Westminster Canterbury. Born in Washington, D.C. and raised on the rivers of Maryland, Kidwell earned a bachelor's degree in textiles and clothing at UMD and her master's degree from…

00s

K. Venu Venugopal MBA ’00

K. Venu Venugopal MBA ’00 was appointed chief operating officer at MaxVal Group, a provider of intellectual property management solutions. Most recently, he was global head of product management at NICE Actimize. He also held leadership roles at Knovel…

90s

Nestor Benavides ’90

Nestor Benavides ’90 was named to the strategic advisory board at Partner Engineering and Science. He led EMG Corp. as CEO for 12 years then was CEO of Bureau Veritas’ Building Assessments & Project Management Group.

Passings

Dr. Duane Erickson ’73

Dr. Duane Erickson ’73 of Sandy Spring, Maryland, died on June 14, 2024, after a three-year battle with ALS. He received his bachelor’s degree in zoology at UMD, his D.D.S. from University of Maryland School of Dentistry and his advanced degree in…

Passings

Martin "Marty" E. Karmann-Bauer ’89

Martin "Marty" E. Karmann-Bauer ’89 of Annapolis, Maryland, died on May 12, 2024, from Stage 4 intestinal cancer. He was 59. Karmann-Bauer graduated from Severna Park High school, earned a B.S. in finance from UMD and shortly after joined the U.S. Navy.…

Passings

William A. Rogers ’54

William A. Rogers ’54 of Palm Harbor, Florida, died May 13, 2024, at age 89. He lived most of his life in Riverdale, Maryland. After earning his degree in education at UMD, Rogers taught English at Duval High School in Lanham, Maryland, and was a guidance…

00s

Ahmed Abdel-Saheb ’07, ’07

Ahmed Abdel-Saheb ’07, ’07 joined Signal Hill, a lower-middle market private equity firm, as managing director, based in Washington, D.C. Previously, he was a partner at Godspeed Capital and an investment banking vice president at Greenhill & Co. He…