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

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.

60s

Joy Haupt Carol ’68

Joy Haupt Carol ’68 published her 10th book, “Different Together: Bridges of Mutual Respect,” with Kyle Reese, a compilation of positive and inspiring stories about interactions and relationships between people of diverse cultural backgrounds, experiences…

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…

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…

Passings

Sheila (Keigher) Sargent ’71, M.Ed. ’77

Sheila (Keigher) Sargent ’71, M.Ed. ’77, formerly of Back Bay, Boston and Richland, Wash., died on Oct. 23, 2023, at age 74. Born in Chicago, Ill., Sargent grew up in Richland and graduated from the University of Maryland. She loved to travel and teach,…

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…

00s

KerryAnn O'Meara Ph.D. ’00

KerryAnn O'Meara Ph.D. ’00 was named a trustee at Loyola University Maryland, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature. She serves as vice president for academic affairs and provost of Teachers College, Columbia University and…

Passings

Robert Geisler ’66

Robert Geisler ’66 died on Sept. 14, 2023, from prostate cancer and congestive heart failure at the age of 81. Raised in Chevy Chase, Md., Geisler graduated from St. John’s College in Washington, D.C., then earned an associate’s degree from Montgomery…