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…

Passings

Vernon Mason Briggs Jr. ’59

Vernon Mason Briggs Jr. ’59 of Ithaca, N.Y., died on Oct. 1, 2023, after a short illness. He was 86. Briggs was president of his senior class at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and at UMD, where he majored in economics and received the Algernon Sullivan…

90s

Raul Fernandez ’90

Raul Fernandez ’90 was promoted to interim president and CEO of DXC Technology, an IT services provider based in Ashburn, Va. He had been CEO of DXC since 2019 and chairman since 2022, overseeing a restructuring at the IT services provider, which employed…

90s

Juliet Gilliam M.A. ’92

Juliet Gilliam M.A. ’92 was named to the new position of vice president of media and entertainment relationships at the National Park Foundation. Most recently, Gilliam served as head of impact entertainment and talent integration at Special Olympics…

10s

Claire Haas ’19, ’19, M.P.P. ’21

Claire Haas ’19, ’19, M.P.P. ’21 received the 2023 David S.C. Chu Award for Excellence in Research. She is a research associate in the Information Technology and Systems Division at one of the three federally funded research and development centers…

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…

Passings

Mary Ethel Jacocks McCorkle ’68

Mary Ethel Jacocks McCorkle ’68 of Hillsborough, N.C., died Dec. 18, 2023, at the age of 79. She majored in sociology at UMD and was an accountant at Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh, N.C., for many years. After moving to Emerald Isle, McCorckle enjoyed…

10s

Michael Trail MBA ’14

Michael Trail MBA ’14, principal and CIO of MCB Real Estate, was named to the Baltimore Business Journal's “40 Under 40” for 2023.