Fall 2026

September 04, 2026

The clickable hyperlink. The Universal Product Code. The Muppets. American life wouldn’t be the same without the ingenuity of UMD researchers and alums.

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Parting Shot

September 04, 2026

The newest addition to the UMD Police Department is a “facility dog” named Sammy.

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Features

September 04, 2026

Excavations by UMD researchers and students unearth new stories about the enslaved communities at the Jefferson and Madison estates.

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Features

September 04, 2026

After 60 years in public service, the longtime congressman and Terp retires with a legacy etched on American history, in Maryland and across UMD’s campus.

Post-Grad

September 04, 2026

An ‘Underexposed’ photo from UMD history.

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Post-Grad

September 04, 2026

Alum’s device enables at-home tracking of cardio, lung problems.

Post-Grad

September 04, 2026

Archaeologist alum blended personal, professional interests on reenacted battlefields.

Authored by alums Bill and Martin Maier. the “Celebrity Word Scramble: Top Terps” offers scramble puzzles on 112 of the most noteworthy alumni. Photographed on August 19, 2026.

Photo by Dylan Singleton/University of Maryland

Post-Grad

September 04, 2026

Alum brothers expand puzzle book series with UMD theme.

Post-Grad

September 04, 2026

NASA scientist leads U.S. efforts to stop asteroids.

Post-Grad

September 04, 2026

Updates from the University of Maryland Alumni Association in Fall 2026.

Explorations

September 04, 2026

Friendship expert’s new book examines self-esteem—with tips for improvement.

Explorations

September 04, 2026

Researchers create explorable audio-visual scenes from single images.

Explorations

September 04, 2026

Confused by electoral map chaos? Political scientist sets us straight.

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Explorations

September 04, 2026

Researcher leads team harvesting electricity from ocean organisms.

Explorations

September 04, 2026

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

10s

Travis Chapman M.E. ’16

Travis Chapman M.E. ’16 was named director of U.S. regulatory affairs and licensing for newcleo, a pioneer in advanced modular reactor technology and nuclear fuel manufacturing. He joins the company from BWXT Advanced Technologies, where he…

10s

Dominique Halaby MPS ’19

Dominique Halaby MPS ’19 was named assistant vice chancellor for innovation and economic engagement at the University of Mississippi. He was previously associate vice president for innovation and commercialization, and director of the Business…

20s

Ola Al-Shayeb M.S. ’21

Ola Al-Shayeb M.S. ’21 was named director of the West Virginia University School of Public Health’s master of health administration program. She was previously program coordinator for the bachelor of science in healthcare management and program…

90s

Michael Downey ’90

Michael Downey ’90 joined Acumen Financial Advantage, a consultancy serving credit unions, banks, healthcare systems and nonprofits, as a regional vice president. 

Passings

Dreama Susan Lodge M.Ed. ’66

Dreama Susan Lodge M.Ed. ’66 died on Aug. 13, 2026, at her home in Waldorf, Md. She was 98. Born in Landisburg, W.Va., Lodge earned her bachelor’s degree from Salem College, then received her graduate degree at UMD. She was a longtime teacher with Prince…

Passings

Benjamin G. Rader Ph.D. ’64

Benjamin G. Rader Ph.D. ’64, professor emeritus of history at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, died on Aug. 6, 2026, at age 90. He spent his early years in a log cabin in the Missouri Ozarks, the eldest son of a farmer-turned-electrician. An…

00s

Kevin Meyer ’07

Kevin Meyer ’07 was promoted to chief of police for the city of Frederick, Md.. Meyer had served as interim chief since December and joined the Frederick Police Department more than 18 years ago.

10s

Jason Rivera Ph.D. ’15

Jason Rivera Ph.D. ’15 was selected as one of 40 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows from the Aspen Institute. The fellowship aims to develop the next generation of higher education leaders to lead colleges to higher levels of student success, both in college…