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

Jeremiah "Jerry" Francis Durkin ’86

Jeremiah "Jerry" Francis Durkin ’86, Kennebunk, Maine, and North Port, Florida, died in Sarasota, Fla., on June 9, 2024, following a short illness. He was 92. He grew up in Somersworth and Dover, N.H. and graduated from Dover High. Durkin served in the…

00s

Elizabeth Drori ’02

Elizabeth Drori ’02 was named chief marketing officer of slip-on footwear brand Kizik. She came from Sperry, where she served as global chief marketing officer and general manager of the Sperry e-commerce business. Before that, she headed up marketing for…

Passings

Robert W. Loree ’75

Robert W. Loree ’75 of San Antonio, Texas, died on June 9, 2024, after a fight with cancer. He was 71. After graduating from UMD, he earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Texas at Austin, then spent over four decades as an insurance attorney for…

70s

Joanne Amorosi ’79, M.A. ’81

Joanne Amorosi ’79, M.A. ’81 completed her 30-year career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by overseeing the development of its National Environmental Museum and Education Center, which recently won the Historical Preservation and Exhibits…

90s

Jeffrey Strenkowski ’99

Telecommunications attorney Jeffrey Strenkowski ’99 joined Troutman Pepper’s Washington, D.C., office as a partner in the energy practice. He came from Uniti Group, a real estate investment trust company, where he served as vice president and deputy…

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.

10s

Melany Rabideau ’12, M.P.H. ’16

Melany Rabideau ’12, M.P.H. ’16 was recognized as one 42 Health Care Leaders Under 40 for 2024 by Becker’s Hospital Review. She is the founder and head of Optum Match at UnitedHealth Group, based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, which matches patients with…

Passings

Hall L. Moore Jr. M.S. ’66

Hall L. Moore Jr. M.S. ’66, of Sayre, Pennsylvania, died on March 31, 2024, at the age of 83. He was born in Baltimore and received degrees from Mount Saint Mary's College in Emmitsburg and from the University of Maryland. He moved to Raleigh, North…