Winter 2024

Testudo turtle mascot with open arms. Vintage mascot photos in background

January 12, 2024

From Turtlenappings to TikTok Shenanigans, How an Unassuming Reptile Evolved to Represent Terp Spirit

rainbow turtle, turtle with pink and light blue pattern, "Support #TransTerps" pin. "Debilitating Queerness", "they" pin

January 16, 2024

Twenty-five years ago, the LGBTQ+ Equity Center opened to support queer Terps who felt invisible, isolated and harassed. Some of the founders recount its humble start and hard-won victories.

View of low, tan buildings against a large sky. Dessert terrain.

Features

January 12, 2024

American Indians have long been denied fair access to homes, health care, schooling and jobs. For Joseph Kunkel M.Arch. ’09, the mission to change that is personal.

Post-Grad

January 12, 2024

The Alumni Excellence Awards

Parting Shot

January 12, 2024

Testudo Watches Over McKeldin Mall From Perch of Nearly 60 Years

"Testudo II" wheels near stands at football game

Post-Grad

January 12, 2024

An ‘Underexposed’ Photo of UMD History

Alex Kin ’08 and Sarah Tostanoski ’09 on wedding day

Post-Grad

January 12, 2024

Alums Celebrate Wedding at Homecoming Tailgate

Cheese board with M in middle; Kara McGrath inset portrait

Post-Grad

January 12, 2024

5 Tips for Making a Board Bursting With Flavor and Color

Post-Grad

January 12, 2024

Image Chosen by Postal Service Opened New Avenues to Treat Brain Diseases

Bonnie Bernstein portrait and "She Got Game: Inspiring Women, Inspired by Sports" illustration

Post-Grad

January 12, 2024

Sports Journalist’s Podcast Links Women’s Success in Careers to Experiences on the Field and Court

Post-Grad

January 12, 2024

Departing Washington Post Columnist Shares 20 Years of Family Tales, Reader Favorites

three people sit on stage at PROGRESS launch

Explorations

January 12, 2024

Initiative to Offer Research, Solutions to National Crisis

Explorations

January 12, 2024

Maryland Mesonet to Provide Early Weather Warning in a Changing Climate

Explorations

January 12, 2024

Bald Eagle Expert Joins Legendary Explorers Club Honorees

Arlington House perched atop Arlington National Cemetery

Explorations

January 12, 2024

At Robert E. Lee’s Former Residence, Researcher Opens Door to Overlooked Legacies

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

Passings

David Lemar Remmert ’70, M.Ed. ’76

David Lemar Remmert ’70, M.Ed. ’76 of Glen Burnie, Md., died on Dec. 19, 2023, at age 77. He was born in Madison, Wisc., and earned two degrees in education from UMD. Remmert taught physics, AP physics and AP computer science at Severna Park High School…

Passings

Chulai Hsiao Ph.D. ’77

Chulai Hsiao Ph.D. ’77 of Waltham, Del., died on Oct. 21, 2023, at age 76. Born in the farming town of I-lan, Taiwan, Hsiao was the oldest of seven siblings, the first to attend college and the only one from his family to leave his native country. He…

10s

Claire Haas ’19, ’19, M.P.P. ’21

Claire Haas ’19, ’19, M.P.P. ’21 received the 2023 David S.C. Chu Award for Excellence in Research. She is a research associate in the Information Technology and Systems Division at one of the three federally funded research and development centers…

Passings

James Colvert Robertson ’57

James Colvert Robertson ’57 of Mechanicsburg, Pa., died on Dec. 17, 2023. He was a Korean War veteran, serving with the Army in 1952–53. He received his education from the University of Maryland and the George Washington Law School. Robertson was employed…

Passings

Doris Mae Turner Hayes M.L.S. ’76

Doris Mae Turner Hayes M.L.S. ’76 died on Nov. 10, 2023, at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Va. She attended Watson High School, Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), North Carolina Central College (now North Carolina Central…

20s

Maria McGee M.Ed. ’23

Maria McGee M.Ed. ’23 was one of 37 promising high school science and math teachers chosen by the Knowles Teacher Initiative as a 2023 teaching fellow. Knowles Fellows gain access to more than $50,000, including stipends and funds for classroom materials,…

Passings

Robert W. Reiter ’51

Robert W. Reiter ’51, a lifelong resident of Baltimore, died at the age of 97 on Oct. 15, 2023. He was born and raised in the Pimlico neighborhood and graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School. He was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corp in…

Passings

Virginia “Ginny” (Harvey) Coco ’60

Virginia “Ginny” (Harvey) Coco ’60 died on Dec. 10, 2023, at age 84 at her home in Ocean City, N.J. She graduated from Girls High School in Philadelphia, UMD, where she majored in physical education, and Temple University. She and her husband, Bill, ran…