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

00s

Caroline Solomon Ph.D. ’06

Caroline Solomon Ph.D. ’06 was named president of Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf and vice president of the university. She was previously dean of faculty at Gallaudet University. She earned a bachelor’s…

00s

Jay Ranaweera ’08

Jay Ranaweera ’08 was promoted to senior associate at the national design firm Quinn Evans. His portfolio includes affordable housing developments like Walbrook Mill and the Homes at Oxon Hill, as well as higher education projects like the Coppin State…

90s

Erek L. Barron ’96

Erek L. Barron ’96 joined law firm Mintz in the firm’s white collar defense and government investigations practice. He will also lead Mintz’s crisis management and strategic response team, and his practice will include complex civil, criminal and…

10s

Carolina Uechi ’10, M.Arch. ’14

Carolina Uechi ’10, M.Arch. ’14 was promoted to senior associate at the national design firm Quinn Evans. Since joining the company in 2016, she has made key contributions to several projects for the Smithsonian Institution, including the Bird House at…

70s

Michael Ray Smith M.A. ’77

Michael Ray Smith M.A. ’77, chair of communication and global business and public engagement at LCC International University in Europe, published the peer-reviewed article “News credibility and undergraduates from Europe and the West” with co-author…

90s

Craig Scanlon ’97

Craig Scanlon ’97 returned to Club Car, a manufacturer of golf cars, low-speed utility vehicles and personal-use transportation, as president and chief executive officer. He began his career in commercial sales of Club Car Carryall vehicles while at…

00s

Tre Johnson ’00

Tre Johnson ’00 wrote his debut book, “Black Genius: Essays on an American Legacy” (Dutton), examining how Black American culture has been the lifeblood of American ingenuity. Publishers Weekly in a starred review called it an “ auspicious first outing…

10s

Juliana Prezelski ’18, M.A. ’19

Juliana Prezelski ’18, M.A. ’19 joined North Carolina State University as director of football operations. She came from the University at Buffalo, where she was assistant athletic director for football operations.