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

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…

Passings

James Colvert Robertson ’57

James Colvert Robertson ’57 of Mechanicsburg, Pa., died on Dec. 17, 2023. He was a Korean War veteran, serving with the Army in 1952–53. He received his education from the University of Maryland and the George Washington Law School. Robertson was employed…

90s

Jordan Goldstein ’94

Jordan Goldstein ’94 was named co-CEO of Gensler, the world’s largest architecture firm. Goldstein has been with Gensler since 1996. His recent projects included 2112 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Capital One’s Tysons headquarters and Marriott International’s…

Passings

Steven Charles Theodore ’74

Steven Charles Theodore ’74 died on Dec. 16, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla., after a battle with cancer. He was 71. Raised in Wheaton, Md., Theodore and his twin sister, Gwen, graduated from Einstein High School and UMD. It was at the university that he met…

10s

Phil Ravita M.M. ’11

Phil Ravita M.M. ’11 was added to the Maryland State Art Council's Presenting and Touring Roster. He hosts a jazz radio show at Mount St. Mary's University from 8-10 p.m. Mondays (WMTB 89.9 FM). He also received a grant from the Baltimore Office of…

70s

Pia Marie Winters Jordan ’78

Pia Marie Winters Jordan ’78 wrote the book “Memories of a Tuskegee Airmen Nurse and Her Military Sisters,” focusing on the years during World War II when up to 28 Black women from the Army Nurse Corps—including her mother—staffed the station hospital on…

80s

David Gehn ’88

David Gehn ’88 became a partner at Fox Rothschild’s litigation department. Gehn has over 30 years of experience as a litigator with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to broker-dealers. Gehn was the NFL Players Association-certified contract…

70s

Haluk Ferden Gursel M.A. ’76

Career fraud fighter Haluk Ferden Gursel M.A. ’76 received the Lifetime Achievement in Compliance at the 2023 Excellence in Compliance Awards. Among his career highlights, he served in the internal oversight department with the World Health Organization…