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

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 Geisler ’66

Robert Geisler ’66 died on Sept. 14, 2023, from prostate cancer and congestive heart failure at the age of 81. Raised in Chevy Chase, Md., Geisler graduated from St. John’s College in Washington, D.C., then earned an associate’s degree from Montgomery…

70s

Daniel Goldberg ’70

Daniel Goldberg ’70 joined the Institute for Defense Analyses as an adjunct research staff member in its Systems and Analyses Center. He earned his master’s degree in Soviet and East European studies from the George Washington University and is a member…

Passings

Carl E. Coppock Ph.D. ’64

Carl E. Coppock Ph.D. ’64 died Sept. 23, 2023 at age 90. He and six siblings were raised on the family farm in Dayton, Ohio. Coppock spent two years in Laos as an agricultural consultant with the International Voluntary Service. He earned a bachelor’s…

Passings

David Stern Kimmel M.Ed. ’65

David Stern Kimmel M.Ed. ’65 died Nov. 14, 2023, at his Bowie, Md., home at age 87. He was born in Gray, Pa., and served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1957. Kimmel earned a bachelor's degree in education from the California University of Pennsylvania and…

Passings

Helen Patricia (Mullen) Prout M.Ed. ’70

Helen Patricia (Mullen) Prout M.Ed. ’70 died on Nov. 9, 2023, at the age of 77. She grew up in West New York, N.J., where she met her future husband, Maurice, in kindergarten. She graduated from Saint Joseph's of the Palisades High School and Jersey City…

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…

00s

Ryan Spiegel '00

Ryan Spiegel '00 was appointed by Gov. Wes Moore to represent District 17 (including the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville) in the Maryland House of Delegates. Spiegel, a Gaithersburg City Council member since 2007, will serve out the remainder of…