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

John Grimm ’06, M.A. ’08

John Grimm ’06, M.A. ’08 joined Goodell DeVries as a partner in the firm’s commercial and business tort litigation and appellate practice groups. He was most recently a partner at a prominent Washington, D.C., litigation and telecom boutique, and…

80s

Joe Niland ’86

Joe Niland ’86 wrote the recent novel “Just Kill the Hostages.” It was inspired by his 27-year career in the federal government, including the FBI’s counterterrorism division. He spent time embedded with the Green Berets looking for Americans held hostage…

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…

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.…

00s

Charles Clancy Ph.D. ’06

Charles Clancy Ph.D. ’06 was named chief technology officer in addition to his role as senior vice president and general manager of MITRE Labs. Clancy joined MITRE in 2019 as the vice president for intelligence programs. He previously served as the…

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

Barbara Lee Hamilton ’63

Barbara Lee Hamilton ’63, of Lonaconing, Md., died on Dec. 14, 2023 at age 82. She was a graduate of Valley High School in Lonaconing and majored in French at UMD. She lived in Washington, D.C., and worked for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She…

90s

Latanya Mapp Frett ’91, MPM ’95

Latanya Mapp Frett ’91, MPM ’95 was named president and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. She was most recently president and CEO of Global Fund for Women, and before that was executive director of Planned Parenthood Global. Mapp Frett is also the…