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

Donald Powell Sanderson Sr. ’53

Donald Powell Sanderson Sr. ’53 died on Oct. 19, 2023, at age 94. He was a lifelong resident of Woodbury, N.J., where he graduated from Woodbury High School and played baseball and basketball and quarterbacked the 1945 championship football team. After…

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.

Passings

Raylena Church Fields ’75

Raylena Church Fields ’75 died on Dec. 10, 2023, at home in Salisbury, Md. She was 70. She was born in Allen, Md., and after earning a journalism degree at UMD, she built a 30-year career in newsrooms in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. Her coverage…

10s

Michael Trail MBA ’14

Michael Trail MBA ’14, principal and CIO of MCB Real Estate, was named to the Baltimore Business Journal's “40 Under 40” for 2023.

10s

Ikenna C. Ejimonyeugwo ’17

Ikenna C. Ejimonyeugwo ’17 joined the intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel as an associate, focusing on patent law. His practice focuses primarily on life sciences, pharmaceuticals, software, biotechnology and engineering.…

Passings

Janet Marie (Rehkemper) Ritter ’73

Janet Marie (Rehkemper) Ritter ’73 died due to a long-term illness on Dec. 18, 2023, in Prince Frederick, Md. She was 75. Ritter graduated from La Reine High School in Suitland, Md., and majored in education at UMD, where she met her future husband, Bob…

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,…

90s

Jeong H. Kim Ph.D. ’91

President Joe Biden awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation’s highest award for technological achievement, to Jeong H. Kim Ph.D. ’91, namesake of an A. James Clark School of Engineering building. The chairman and co-founder of…