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

Miriam Hull ’71

Miriam Hull ’71 of Towson, Md., died on Oct. 22, 2023 at age 74. She was a graduate of Westminster High School, where she was its first majorette to incorporate twirling the baton with fire. She majored in elementary education at UMD, and became a teacher…

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.

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,…

00s

Buffy Giddens ’02

Buffy Giddens ’02 was appointed county attorney for St. Mary’s County. Giddens became St. Mary’s County deputy attorney in September 2022, after serving as an assistant state’s attorney for 16 years. She received her J.D. from the University of Maryland…

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

Daniel A. Williams ’64

Daniel A. Williams ’64 of Westminster, Md., died on Dec. 27, 2023, at Carroll Hospital Center after a brief illness. He was 81. Willams grew up in Baltimore and majored in Spanish at UMD. He earned master's and doctoral degrees from Johns Hopkins…

00s

Shane Gleason MBA ’03

Shane Gleason MBA ’03 joined InspireMD as general manager of North America and vice president of global marketing. He most recently was vice president of sales, vascular interventions at Surmodics and before that, served as senior director, U.S. marketing…

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…