Issues

Spring 2026

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Features

Diary of a Wimpy Terp

May 20, 2026

Jeff Kinney ’93 was a shaky student and failed newspaper cartoonist with a big dream. Recounting some of his own misadventures, he reveals that despite being one of the world’s top-selling authors, he’s still figuring things out.

Parting Shot

Flying Purple People Mover

May 20, 2026

Light-rail vehicle travels on campus during overnight testing

Post-Grad

Run Like Shell

May 20, 2026

An ‘Underexposed’ photo from UMD history

Post-Grad

The Mathemagic Touch

May 20, 2026

Alum infuses tricks with numeric principles on stage and in the classroom

Post-Grad

Your Guide to D.C.’s Urban Oasis

May 20, 2026

Alum leads country’s biggest urban national park

Post-Grad

Alumni Association News

May 20, 2026

The Alumni Excellence Awards

Explorations

Made About America

May 20, 2026

On nation’s 250th anniversary, UMD celebrates and reflects through the arts

Explorations

Cracking da Vinci’s Genetic Code

May 20, 2026

Researcher helps establish possible DNA link to ‘Mona Lisa’ artist

Explorations

World Wide Reb

May 20, 2026

In new book, historian depicts American Revolution as global war

Explorations

Model Musician

May 20, 2026

UMD-built AI system amplifies a Universal-NVIDIA partnership

Explorations

A Recipe for Paring Down Plastic Pollution

May 20, 2026

Armed with AI, researchers cook up greener alternatives for everyday products

Explorations

The Doctor Will See Your Plant Now

May 20, 2026

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

Explorations

Libraries’ New Chapter: Havens in Times of Crisis

May 20, 2026

Professor develops field guide for providing services to help communities facing challenges

Campus Life

Homegrown Heroes

May 20, 2026

How Maryland Athletics recruited 3 top local athletes

Explorations

Where the Cloud Hits the Ground

May 20, 2026

Can engineering researchers make data centers better neighbors?

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

90s

Samir Kaul M.S. ’97

Samir Kaul M.S. ’97 was named to the board of directors of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Kaul is founding partner and managing director at Khosla Ventures, where he focuses on artificial intelligence, advanced technology, health…

90s

Farooq Anjum Ph.D. ’99 

Farooq Anjum Ph.D. ’99 was appointed chief AI and systems officer of Guideway Care, a patient activation company. He will oversee the continued development of enterprise activation intelligence.

90s

Mohamed Karama ’96

Mohamed Karama ’96 was named senior vice president of growth acceleration and performance for Acentra Health, a technology and health solutions and services company serving government and commercial healthcare clients. 

50s

Fred A. Neil '59

Fred A. Neil ’59 was elected president of the Dover (Delaware) City Council for the second straight year. At 92, he says he is the oldest elected local official in the United States. He ran for office for the first time at the age of 81 to protect his…

00s

Neal Kovach ’07

Neal Kovach ’07 was named chief executive officer of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the organization representing more than 6,500 members who care for high-risk pregnant people. He came from the American College of Cardiology, where he served as…

00s

Elizabeth Jurinka ’05

Elizabeth Jurinka ’05 was named to Washingtonian’s 500 Most Influential People of 2026 list, highlighting influential leaders in public policy, advocacy, business and civic affairs across the Washington, D.C., area. She is operating director of healthcare…

90s

Laura Petrecca ’92

Laura Petrecca ’92 joined public relations agency DiGennaro Communications as chief content officer. Petrecca will oversee content strategy, storytelling and creation across a wide range of platforms and formats. She is an award-winning journalist and…

Passings

Richard Lee “Dick” Somazze Sr. ’65

Richard Lee “Dick” Somazze Sr. ’65 of Lynchburg, Virginia, died on May 12, 2026, at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was 83. Born in Oella, Maryland, he graduated from Margaret Brent High School, St. Mary’s College and the University of Maryland, where he…