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

10s

Paul Plymouth ’10

Paul Plymouth ’10, director of state government and local engagement at Verizon, was named to the Baltimore Business Journal's “40 Under 40” for 2023. He earned an M.P.A. from the University of North Carolina.

70s

Scott Angle ’75, M.S. ’78

Scott Angle ’75, M.S. ’78 was appointed provost of the University of Florida. Angle has worked for UF since 2020, and was named interim provost in June 2023. and was formerly the director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food…

Passings

Charles Frank Galambos M.S. ’66

Charles Frank Galambos M.S. ’66 died on Oct. 14, 2023, at his Maurertown, Va., home at age 89. He was born in Kispest, Hungary, and the family immigrated to the U.S. in 1948. He received his civil engineering undergraduate degree from the University of…

20s

Anusuya Sivaram Ph.D. ’23

Anusuya Sivaram Ph.D. ’23 joined the nonprofit Institute for Defense Analyses as a research staff member in its Strategy, Forces and Resources Division. She earned her bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University.

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

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…

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…

Passings

Frederick William Kaufman ’58

Frederick William Kaufman ’58 died on Dec. 19, 2023, in Owosso, Mich. He was 102. Kaufman attended Baltimore High School and majored in English at UMD. He served in the U.S. Navy.