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

Steven Mark Rochon ’90, M.S. ’97

Steven Mark Rochon ’90, M.S. ’97 died on Oct. 17, 2023, at the age of 56. Born at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz., he earned two engineering degrees at UMD and began a long career as a civil engineer with the Maryland State Highway Administration. Upon retiring,…

20s

Dr. Ihuoma Emenuga MBA ’21

Dr. Ihuoma Emenuga MBA ’21 was nominated by Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott as the new health commissioner for the city's health department. Emenuga earned her medical degree from the University of Nigeria and a master’s degree in public health from the…

Passings

Dagmar Renate “Reni” Henney Ph.D. ’65

Dagmar Renate “Reni” Henney Ph.D. ’65 died on Sept. 16, 2023, at Beebe Hospital in Lewes, Del., after a struggle with cancer. She was 92. Henney was born in the Spandau section of Berlin, Germany, to a Catholic father and Jewish mother, who was murdered…

Passings

Nelly Martha Osinga Branson B.L.A. ’07

Nelly Martha Osinga Branson B.L.A. ’07 died on July 5, 2023. She was born July 29, 1953, to Dutch immigrants Jan and Douwina Osinga and raised on Sweet Briar College's dairy farm in Virginia. She graduated from Amherst County High School and Sweet Briar…

90s

Raja Sundararajan M.S. ’98

Raja Sundararajan M.S. ’98 was named executive vice president of strategy and customer solutions of Alliant Energy. He spent nearly 20 years with American Electric Power, most recently as executive vice president of external affairs. He earned his…

70s

Scott Angle ’75, M.S. ’78

Scott Angle ’75, M.S. ’78 was appointed provost of the University of Florida. Angle has worked for UF since 2020, and was named interim provost in June 2023. and was formerly the director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food…

Passings

Lorraine Antoinette Alt ’74

Lorraine Antoinette Alt ’74 died on Sept. 6, 2023, in Palm Coast, Fla., at age 87. She was born in Nanticoke, Pa., and met her husband at a high school dance in Philadelphia. A few years after their marriage, the couple relocated to Kensington, Md.,…

10s

Monica McNutt M.Jour. ’13

Monica McNutt M.Jour. ’13 became the primary New York Knicks radio analyst, calling most of the team’s games on 98.7FM ESPN New York. She continues her duties as a pre- and postgame analyst for select MSG Networks’ Knicks telecasts.