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

Janet Marie (Rehkemper) Ritter ’73

Janet Marie (Rehkemper) Ritter ’73 died due to a long-term illness on Dec. 18, 2023, in Prince Frederick, Md. She was 75. Ritter graduated from La Reine High School in Suitland, Md., and majored in education at UMD, where she met her future husband, Bob…

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…

10s

Tiffany Casey ’14

Tiffany Casey ’14 was selected for the American Public Transportation Association’s Leadership Class of 2024. Casey is the director of performance improvement at the Memphis Area Transit Authority in Tennessee.

Passings

Pearl Alice Hanson Johnson ’67, M.Ed. ’73

Pearl Alice Hanson Johnson ’67, M.Ed. ’73 died in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Dec. 28, 2023, after a short illness. She was 98. Johnson was raised in Idaho as the fourth of 11 children and attended Utah State University for one year. She worked as a doctor's…

00s

Stephanie L. Williams M.C.P. ’04

Stephanie L. Williams M.C.P. ’04, president of Bozzuto Management Co., was named to the board of directors of Veris Residential, a real estate investment trust that primarily owns, operates, acquires and develops Class A multifamily properties.

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…

10s

David Lai ’12

David Lai ’12 became the first Asian American member of the New Carrollton (Md.) City Council. He is a teacher with Prince George’s County Public Schools.

Passings

James Lawrence Sherald ’68, M.S. ’72, Ph.D. ’74

James Lawrence Sherald ’68, M.S. ’72, Ph.D. ’74, of Alexandria, Va., died on Oct. 9, 2023, at the age of 77. He grew up in Frederick, Md., and graduated from St. John’s High School and UMD, where he majored in horticulture. Following his service in…