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Winter 2024

Testudo turtle mascot with open arms. Vintage mascot photos in background

Features

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

Features

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.
Gold star on red backgroud

Post-Grad

January 12, 2024
The Alumni Excellence Awards
McKeldin Mall at sunrise

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
Zebrafish stamp

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
John Kelly at desk

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
group installs Mesonet tower

Explorations

January 12, 2024
Maryland Mesonet to Provide Early Weather Warning in a Changing Climate
adult and baby bald eagles in nest

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
David Lai gets sworn in

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.
Sheila (Keigher) Sargent headshot

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,…

00s

Scott Shewfelt M.Jour. ’07

Scott Shewfelt M.Jour. ’07 returned this fall for “Jeopardy’s!” new Champions Wildcard tournament, which pitted winners from the previous two seasons against each other for a spot in the Tournament of Champions. Shewfelt earned $48,000 in three…
Alice Dailey Daum Coen headshot

Passings

Alice Dailey Daum Coen Ed.D. ’81

Alice Dailey Daum Coen Ed.D. ’81, of Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster, Md., died on Nov. 7, 2023, at the age of 83. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, Coen graduated from Portsmouth High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Ohio…
Janice Yvonne (Vieau) Jensen headshot

Passings

Janice Yvonne (Vieau) Jensen ’47

Janice Yvonne (Vieau) Jensen ’47 died on Oct. 20, 2023, at age 97. She majored in elementary education at UMD and became a physical education teacher and leader of the Title I program in the Sussex-Hamilton School District. She was a vivacious member of…

90s

Joseph Drayton ’93

Joseph Drayton ’93 joined the international law firm Proskauer as a partner in its intellectual property group. He has represented some of the nation’s most prominent companies before state and federal courts as well as the International Trade Commission.…
Juliet Gilliam headshot

90s

Juliet Gilliam M.A. ’92

Juliet Gilliam M.A. ’92 was named to the new position of vice president of media and entertainment relationships at the National Park Foundation. Most recently, Gilliam served as head of impact entertainment and talent integration at Special Olympics…
Latanya Mapp Frett headshot

90s

Latanya Mapp Frett ’91, MPM ’95

Latanya Mapp Frett ’91, MPM ’95 was named president and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. She was most recently president and CEO of Global Fund for Women, and before that was executive director of Planned Parenthood Global. Mapp Frett is also the…