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

Arden B. Poole M.A. ’55

Arden B. Poole M.A. ’55 died on April 18, 2024, at age 96 in San Francisco. Born Arden Vandevere Bennett, she grew up in Philly's suburbs and in rural Locksley, Pa., which cultivated in her a lifelong respect for nature. Arden received a B.A. from the…

60s

Edward St. John ’61

Edward St. John ’61 was named to The (Maryland) Daily Record’s “Power 100” list for 2023-24, which highlights people who play an important role in culture, lifestyle, civic conversations and economic fortunes of Maryland. He founded St. John’s Properties…

00s

Sherry Banaei ’06

Sherry Banaei ’06 was promoted to head and creative director of the architectural firm Studio Alliance. Banae, who joined the firm as an associate principal in 2006, earned her master’s degree in architecture from Virginia Tech.

90s

Melissa M. Bissen ’96

Melissa M. Bissen ’96 was included in Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women Leaders of Maryland for 2024. Bissen is vice president and controller of Whitney, Bailey, Cox, & Magnani and has provided professional accounting services to Baltimore-area…

80s

Philip W. Steitz Ph.D. ’90

Philip W. Steitz Ph.D. ’90 joined Clear Demand as chief technology officer. He has held that role at American Express, Deem, Edgenuity, Pegasus and Nextiva.

10s

Robert Klemko ’10

Robert Klemko ’10 was part of The Washington Post team recognized with a Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for its immersive series on the AR-15 rifle in American politics and culture. He is a reporter covering policing and criminal justice reform at…

20s

Shinta H. Hernandez Ph.D. ’21

Shinta H. Hernandez Ph.D. ’21 was honored with a Washington Business Journal Diversity in Business Award. Hernandez is the first dean of Montgomery College’s virtual campus, and previously served as department chair of sociology, anthropology and criminal…

00s

Thomas Duncan ’06

Thomas Duncan ’06 joined Faegre Drinker as a partner in the government and regulatory practice in Philadelphia. Prior to entering private practice, Duncan was an assistant counsel at the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board. He has held a…