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

Edward John Standera Jr. ’59

Edward John Standera Jr. ’59 died on Oct. 18, 2023, at the age of 89. Born in Nanticoke, Pa., Standera attended the University of Maryland after serving in the U.S. Navy. Standera moved to Florida to work as a consulting engineer, eventually working in…

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…

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.

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.

00s

Robyn Dixon ’00

Robyn Dixon ’00, one of the cast members of the Bravo reality show “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” opened a franchise of GLO30, a monthly membership facial business, in Columbia. She also created the company Embellished, which sells satin-lined hats and…

Passings

Dagmar Renate “Reni” Henney Ph.D. ’65

Dagmar Renate “Reni” Henney Ph.D. ’65 died on Sept. 16, 2023, at Beebe Hospital in Lewes, Del., after a struggle with cancer. She was 92. Henney was born in the Spandau section of Berlin, Germany, to a Catholic father and Jewish mother, who was murdered…

10s

Divya Prasad ’16

Divya Prasad ’16 joined Friedlander Misler as an associate and member of the real estate and commercial transactions practice groups. She previously practiced in Baltimore, representing financial institutions and financing parties in structuring lending…

Passings

Nancy Nealy Ragsdale M.S. ’66, Ph.D. ’74

Nancy Nealy Ragsdale M.S. ’66, Ph.D. ’74, a research associate for UMD’s botany department, died on Oct. 2, 2023, at her home near Crozet, Va., after a battle with lung cancer. She was 85. Ragsdale graduated from Griffin High School and attended Emory…