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

Kenneth E. Lore Jr. ’59

Kenneth E. Lore Jr. ’59 died on Dec. 19, 2023, in Severna Park, Md. He was 87. He served in the U.S. Army, majored in government and politics at UMD, and worked for the National Security Agency.

00s

Robyn Dixon ’00

Robyn Dixon ’00, one of the cast members of the Bravo reality show “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” opened a franchise of GLO30, a monthly membership facial business, in Columbia. She also created the company Embellished, which sells satin-lined hats and…

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.

90s

Brian Chappell ’90

Brian Chappell ’90 was named to the board of trustees of Olney (Md.) Theatre Center. He is a partner at Hogan Lovells, where he is the head of a practice that concentrates on mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, joint ventures, project…

Passings

Helen Louise Hedrick M.S. ’67

Helen Louise Hedrick M.S. ’67 of Maysville, W.V., died on Oct. 19, 2023, at age 81. She attended Petersburg High School, Potomac State College, West Virginia University and the University of Maryland. She worked for the West Virginia Extension Service.

Passings

Nancy Nealy Ragsdale M.S. ’66, Ph.D. ’74

Nancy Nealy Ragsdale M.S. ’66, Ph.D. ’74, a research associate for UMD’s botany department, died on Oct. 2, 2023, at her home near Crozet, Va., after a battle with lung cancer. She was 85. Ragsdale graduated from Griffin High School and attended Emory…

Passings

John Randolph Katkish ’75

John Randolph Katkish ’75 of Williamsburg, Va., died on Nov. 5, 2023, at age 70. He was born in Washington, D.C., coached his younger brother's baseball team, and traveled to visit his older sister in Mexico and Alaska. He attended St. John's College High…

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…