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

90s

Seema Verma ’93

Seema Verma ’93 was named senior vice president and general manager, life sciences at Oracle. Most recently, Verma served as a senior advisor to private equity firms Cressy and Co. and TPG. Prior to those roles, she was administrator of the Centers for…

10s

Gregg Hill ’19

Gregg Hill ’19 joined the Carolinas-based law firm Robinson Bradshaw. He graduated from the Howard University School of Law as a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. At UMD, he was treasurer of its National Society of Collegiate Scholars chapter.…

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.

Passings

Robert W. Reiter ’51

Robert W. Reiter ’51, a lifelong resident of Baltimore, died at the age of 97 on Oct. 15, 2023. He was born and raised in the Pimlico neighborhood and graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School. He was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corp in…

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…

00s

Jason Sartori MCP '05

Jason Sartori MCP '05 was appointed planning director for the Montgomery Planning Department in October. Sartori has worked for the Montgomery County Planning Department since 2016.

90s

Tucker Barnes M.A. ’96

Tucker Barnes M.A. ’96 was named chief meteorologist at FOX 5. He joined the D.C. TV station in 2003 and is married to fellow FOX 5 meteorologist Caitlin Roth.

00s

Joe Feldmann '04

Joe Feldmann '04, who took home $45,000 on the TV series “Jeopardy!” in June 2022, returned this fall for the new Champions Wildcard tournament; it pitted winners from the previous two seasons against each other for a spot in the Tournament of Champions.…