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

00s

Joe Feldmann '04

Joe Feldmann '04, who took home $45,000 on the TV series “Jeopardy!” in June 2022, returned this fall for the new Champions Wildcard tournament; it pitted winners from the previous two seasons against each other for a spot in the Tournament of Champions.…

70s

Haluk Ferden Gursel M.A. ’76

Career fraud fighter Haluk Ferden Gursel M.A. ’76 received the Lifetime Achievement in Compliance at the 2023 Excellence in Compliance Awards. Among his career highlights, he served in the internal oversight department with the World Health Organization…

Passings

Donald Powell Sanderson Sr. ’53

Donald Powell Sanderson Sr. ’53 died on Oct. 19, 2023, at age 94. He was a lifelong resident of Woodbury, N.J., where he graduated from Woodbury High School and played baseball and basketball and quarterbacked the 1945 championship football team. After…

Passings

Martin Lewis Berger ’66

Martin Lewis Berger ’66 of Rockville, Md., died Dec. 18, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Raised in Silver Spring, Md., Berger attended Coolidge High School and UMD, where he studied education. He began his career teaching middle school…

Passings

James Lawrence Sherald ’68, M.S. ’72, Ph.D. ’74

James Lawrence Sherald ’68, M.S. ’72, Ph.D. ’74, of Alexandria, Va., died on Oct. 9, 2023, at the age of 77. He grew up in Frederick, Md., and graduated from St. John’s High School and UMD, where he majored in horticulture. Following his service in…

90s

Sherri Beatty-Arthur ’95, MBA ’11

President Joe Biden nominated Judge Sherri Beatty-Arthur ’95, MBA ’11 to the District of Columbia Superior Court. She has been a magistrate judge for D.C.’s Superior Court since 2020 and previously served as an administrative law judge in the District of…

Passings

Susan Nagler Beatty ’81

Susan Nagler Beatty ’81 died on Oct. 28, 2023, three months after being diagnosed with cancer. She was 70. Beatty grew up in Hyattsville, Md., and graduated from Northwestern High School and UMD, then began her career in the U.S. House of Representatives,…

Passings

Jonson Marin ’00

Jonson Marin ’00 of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., died on Dec. 15, 2023, due to complications from Lyme disease. He was 46. Born in San Miguel, El Salvador, Marin was a software engineer. He was an avid downhill mountain biker, snorkeler and paddle boarder.…