Fall 2025

News

Jim Smith and Darryll J. Pines smile at introduction event

UMD Now Home of the Braves’ Former Exec

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

Explorations

Rot Race

Researchers Help State’s Growers Save Vines, Fruit

Features

Ryan Collins poses on bike, with purple background

Mettle to the Pedal

When his Olympic dreams on the bike came crashing down, Ryan Collins ’16, MBA ’20 struggled to even hold the handlebars. Now he’s racking up records as an elite ultracyclist.

News

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

Kermit the Frog to Grads: ‘Leap Together’

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

Explorations

purple pencil with cloud, lines and dots

AI Goes to School for Math-Instruction Study

Researchers to Create Database of A+ Classroom Teaching

Explorations

Housing, Reframed

Urban Planner Says Modern Manufactured Homes Could Expand Options for First-Time Buyers

Explorations

green alien on Mars sits on recliner and points remote at TV

Hello, Mars? Quantum Device Could Help Open Communications

‘Green Machine’ Laser Receiver Leverages Quantum Mechanics to Extract Light Particles

Explorations

chatbot with text boxes on screen and magnifying glass

How to Chat ... With a Bot

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

Passings

James L Miller E.D.D. ’71

James L Miller E.D.D. ’71 died on July 25, 2025, at Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster, Md., at age 98. Born in Tyrone Pa., Miller served in the U.S. Air Force, then earned a bachelor’s degree at Loch Haven College and his graduate degrees in…

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

Evan Morick ’98

Evan Morick ’98 was appointed senior vice president of development at PM Hotel Group. Most recently, he advised Douglas Development Corp. and previously served for over a decade as senior vice president of development at Procaccianti Cos.

20s

Chelsea Brown M.P.M. ’21

Chelsea Brown M.P.M. ’21, principal and lead strategist at the Black Mill, 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…

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…

80s

Jonathan Lubick M.A. ’88

Business valuation firm Scalar acquired Jonathan Lubick Consulting, founded by Jonathan Lubick M.A. ’88. He has conducted studies for tax examinations and controversy cases in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany, Israel and Mexico, among multiple other…

80s

Douglas O'Donnell ’86

Douglas O'Donnell ’86, former Internal Revenue Service acting commissioner, joined the audit, tax, and advisory firm KPMG as a senior managing director within its Washington National Tax practice.

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…