Fall 2025

Features

September 15, 2025

UMD scientists built a fungus that wipes out mosquitoes. With African partners, they hope to save millions of lives.

view from behind Kermit the Frog as he addresses graduates at UMD Commencement at SECU Stadium

News

September 15, 2025

At 2025 Commencement, Famed Amphibian Implores Students to Make, Keep Connections

Jim Smith and Darryll J. Pines smile at introduction event

News

September 15, 2025

Smith Brings Leadership and Business Experience to Build on Maryland Athletics’ Success

News

September 15, 2025

Campus Core Gets First Traffic Signal

Buzz Williams dribbles basketball, with red, white and gold background

Campus Life

September 15, 2025

Get to Know New Men’s Basketball Head Coach

exterior of Barry P. Gossett Basketball Performance Center

Campus Life

September 15, 2025

Men’s, Women’s Teams Celebrate Opening of Barry P. Gossett BasketballPerformance Center

Brat Pack in academic regalia walk on Frat Row in "St. Elmo's Fire" movie

Campus Life

September 15, 2025

At 40th Anniversary of ‘St. Elmo’s Fire,’ Alums Remember Filming on Frat Row

Jan Plane speaks to students during the CompSciConnect summer camp

Campus Life

September 15, 2025

Donation Launches University of Maryland Computing Catalyst

Jose-Luis Izursa works in aquaponics lab

Campus Life

September 15, 2025

Aquaponics Greenhouse Grows Lettuce and Fish for Education on Sustainable Systems

handwritten letters with portraits of George Mason and George Washington

Campus Life

September 15, 2025

Student Finds Little-Known Correspondence Between George Mason and George Washington

Campus Life

September 15, 2025

Run Club Started by UMD Faculty Members Is Biggest in North America

Explorations

September 15, 2025

Entomology Team Delves Into Benefits, Challenges of Eating Insects

Explorations

September 15, 2025

UMD’s Unique Forest-Monitoring Capabilities Revealed an Alarming Wildfire Spike

Illustration of Warren Buffett with money

Explorations

September 15, 2025

Buffett Scholar Reflects on Role Model’s Retirement

chatbot with text boxes on screen and magnifying glass

Explorations

September 15, 2025

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

10s

Ikenna C. Ejimonyeugwo ’17

Ikenna C. Ejimonyeugwo ’17, an associate at Philadelphia law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP, was named a finalist for the Most Promising Newcomer Award by The Legal Intelligencer in its 2025 Pennsylvania Legal Awards. He specializes in…

Passings

Rona Barke Subotnik ’54

Rona Barke Subotnik ’54 died on Feb. 26, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. She was 92. She graduated from Western High School in Baltimore, attended Baltimore Junior College and transferred to UMD, where she majored in bacteriology and made the Dean’s List each…

10s

Omar Tarabishi ’13, M.A. ’21

Omar Tarabishi ’13, M.A. ’21, co-founder and president of the nonprofit Leftover Love, was named to The Maryland Daily Record’s 2025 Power 100 List, recognizing the 100 men and women who are shaping the state’s businesses, nonprofits, law firms and other…

00s

Christine Eibner Ph.D. ’01

Christine Eibner Ph.D. ’01 was named to Washingtonian’s list of Washington, D.C.’s 500 Most Influential People in 2025. She is a senior economist at the nonprofit RAND corporation, a think tank, research institute and public sector consulting firm.…

90s

Creig Northrop ’90

Creig Northrop ’90, CEO, founder and associate broker of Northrop Realty, was named to The Maryland Daily Record’s 2025 Power 100 List, recognizing the 100 men and women who are shaping the state’s businesses, nonprofits, law firms and other key…

80s

Kent Ziegler ’84

Kent Ziegler ’84 was named chief financial officer and chief administrative officer of insurance company MSIG USA. Prior to joining MSIG USA, Ziegler held multiple chief financial officer roles across the insurance and financial services sectors. He most…

00s

Shahid Rana MRED ’09

Shahid Rana MRED ’09 was named head of economic development for the city of Charlotte, N.C. He had been Mecklenburg County’s deputy economic development director since 2023. Rana has a bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University and holds graduate…

Passings

Eric Sievers ’80

Eric Sievers ’80, a former NFL tight end, died on April 10, 2024, at the age of 66 after a six-year battle with bladder cancer. Sievers grew up in Arlington, Va., and attended Washington-Lee High School (now Washington-Liberty High School) and was a…