Spring 2024

Spring 2024 collection of Terp license plates

UMD-themed vanity plates are the highway four-leaf clovers we love to spot. We share some of the best—and the tales behind the tags.

Explorations

Data Security, Fully Baked

Researchers Use Recipes to Test Tool for Analyzing DoD Classification Guidelines

Parting Shot

‘David’s Dream’ Shines

Sculpture Dedicated to Late Groundbreaking Artist

Post-Grad

people hold hands along Baltimore Avenue

Hands Across UMD

An ‘Underexposed’ Photo of UMD History

Post-Grad

Alum Conquers ‘World’s Toughest Row’

Terp, Teammate Complete Race Across Atlantic in Record Time

Post-Grad

collage of Lee Mendelowitz, Di Zou and Benjamin Eidelberg

Helping Teams Score, Behind the Scenes

3 Alums Crunch Numbers as Sports Analytics Experts for Pro Teams in the DMV

Post-Grad

Houston, We Have a Terp

Alum Astronaut Joins International Space Station

Post-Grad

Alumni Association News

Terps ‘Do Good’ on Campus and Beyond

Features

A couple sits behind a table with some card games on it

Wild Cards

A Fluctuating, Ever-Changing, Up-and-Down Journey to Gaming Success

Features

The image is a stylized, futuristic illustration that depicts a hilly landscape with a car winding through it.

Charging Up That Hill

Ninety-second battery fill-ups. All-day range. Unparalleled safety. UMD researchers are powering up EVs to save the planet.

Explorations

Near and Deer

Is Neighborhood Wildlife Spreading COVID?

Explorations

Can’t Stand Gossip? Let’s Chat About Its Benefits

Gabbing About Others Offers Unexpected Benefits in Social Groups, UMD and Stanford Researchers Find

Explorations

Exercise on the Brain

Researcher Finds That Moderate Movement Can Protect Memory and Cognition

Explorations

Inked in History

Professor Tells Stories Behind Her Traditional Tattoos

Explorations

‘Learn, Lead, Liberate’

New Center Links Humanities, Social Change

Explorations

Wee Mystery Solved

Terps Discover How Urine Gets Its Hue

Explorations

split illustration: half with woman working at laptop and drinking coffee, half with her snuggling with child on couch watching Netflix

How to Make Your Workday Work for You

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

Explorations

Writer Maggie Haslam drives lunar rover while wearing spacesuit

Roving Reporter

We Road-Test Students’ New Moon Buggy Concept at NASA

Campus Life

Stanley Bobb Baseball Player Development Center rendering

Sports Briefs

Baseball, Softball Development Centers Break Ground; Terp Triple Jumps to World Title

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

Passings

Richard “Richie” Reiter ’70

Richard “Richie” Reiter ’70 died on Jan. 22, 2024, in Newark, N.J., at age 76. Reiter was raised in Silver Spring, Md., and earned psychology degrees from UMD and the Catholic University of America. During this time he met his wife, Susan. A saxophonist,…

80s

Marshall H. Woodworth ’81

Marshall H. Woodworth ’81 was appointed chief financial officer of NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on cardiometabolic diseases. Woodworth previously served as chief financial officer of Nevakar, Braeburn…

10s

Shalanda Armstrong MBA ’12

Shalanda Armstrong MBA ’12 was named to the Washington Business Journal’s 2024 list of 40 Under 40. She is managing partner of 100KM Ventures, a venture capital company dedicated to investing in early-stage, diverse management teams focused on building…

90s

John X. Wang Ph.D ’95

John X. Wang Ph.D ’95 published his book, “What Every Engineer Should Know About Risk Engineering and Management” (CRC Press) in July 2023. His previous book, “Industrial Engineering Design: Inventive Problem Solving” was featured as ISE Magazine’s book…

“How Technology, Social Media, and Current Events Profoundly Affect Adolescents” book cover

60s

Dr. Mark A. Goldstein ’68

Dr. Mark A. Goldstein ’68 and Myrna Chandler Goldstein M.A. ’73 wrote the book “How Technology, Social Media, and Current Events Profoundly Affect Adolescents.” It analyzes adolescent issues through a biopsychosocial perspective; examines current social…

00s

M. Dean Lewis ’02

M. Dean Lewis ’02 was appointed president and CEO of Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, the parent company of Calvin B. Taylor Bank, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Lewis joined the company in 2012. Lewis has a master’s degree in taxation from American University.

Passings

Paul Mider ’72

Paul Mider ’72 died in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 20, 2024, after a long bout with Lewy body dementia. He was 77. Mider was born in Cincinnati and attended Muskingum College for one year on a football scholarship before enlisting with the U.S. Air Force,…

00s

Colleen Vacelet ’02

Colleen Vacelet ’02 was selected as the Baltimore Business Journal’s “2024 Mentor of the Year.” She is the founder of Intreegue Design, an Elkridge-based landscape architecture firm, and last year acquired Order Green Supply, a Baltimore firm that…