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

Passings

Libby Spector Wolff ’61

Libby Spector Wolff ’61 of Baltimore died on July 27, 2025, at the age of 85. She graduated from Forest Park High School, later UMD with honors, and served as president of the Pikesville Chamber of Commerce. Wolff was a well-known, leading real estate…

90s

William F. Tate IV Ph.D. ’91

William F. Tate IV Ph.D. ’91 was appointed president of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The social scientist had been president of the Louisiana State University system for the past four years. He previously served as executive vice president…

”Beyond Difficult: An Attachment-based Guide to Dealing With Challenging People” book cover

10s

Jessica Stern Ph.D. ’19

Jessica Stern Ph.D. ’19 co-wrote the book ”Beyond Difficult: An Attachment-based Guide to Dealing With Challenging People” with Rachel Samson, an Australian clinical psychologist. They provide frameworks for understanding difficult behavior, as well as…

70s

James A. Chance ’79

James A. Chance ’79 was awarded the Federal Magistrate Judges Association’s 2025 Founders Award, presented to a person who has made valuable and lasting contributions to the magistrate judges system of the U.S. courts. He has served as senior judicial…

Passings

John William Burkhard ’51

John William Burkhard ’51 died on July 25, 2025, at Quality of Life Services in Johnstown, Pa., at age 98. After graduating from the former Johnstown Catholic High School, Burkhard served in the U.S. Navy during World War Il. Upon discharge, he graduated…

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…

Passings

Alan Richards ’62

Alan Richards ’62 died on Aug. 17, 2025, in Rockville, Md. After spending his early years in Salt Lake City, Utah, his family moved back east to Silver Spring, Md., and he graduated from Montgomery Blair High School, UMD (where he majored in English) and…

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…