Winter 2024

Winter 2024 Testudo turtle mascot with open arms. Vintage mascot photos in background

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

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.

Features

Standing the Testudo of Time

From Turtlenappings to TikTok Shenanigans, How an Unassuming Reptile Evolved to Represent Terp Spirit

Features

View of low, tan buildings against a large sky. Dessert terrain.

Tribal Loyalties

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

Alumni Association News

The Alumni Excellence Awards

Parting Shot

Monumental Mainstay

Testudo Watches Over McKeldin Mall From Perch of Nearly 60 Years

Post-Grad

"Testudo II" wheels near stands at football game

Road-Ready Reptile

An ‘Underexposed’ Photo of UMD History

Post-Grad

Alex Kin ’08 and Sarah Tostanoski ’09 on wedding day

A Match Made in Lot 1

Alums Celebrate Wedding at Homecoming Tailgate

Post-Grad

Cheese board with M in middle; Kara McGrath inset portrait

Cheese the Day

5 Tips for Making a Board Bursting With Flavor and Color

Post-Grad

Alum’s Photo to Live ‘Forever’ on Stamp

Image Chosen by Postal Service Opened New Avenues to Treat Brain Diseases

Post-Grad

Bonnie Bernstein portrait and "She Got Game: Inspiring Women, Inspired by Sports" illustration

Ahead of the Game

Sports Journalist’s Podcast Links Women’s Success in Careers to Experiences on the Field and Court

Post-Grad

Capital-area Chronicler Turns the Page

Departing Washington Post Columnist Shares 20 Years of Family Tales, Reader Favorites

Explorations

three people sit on stage at PROGRESS launch

PROGRESS on Gun Violence

Initiative to Offer Research, Solutions to National Crisis

Explorations

Towering Ambitions for Forecasts

Maryland Mesonet to Provide Early Weather Warning in a Changing Climate

Explorations

A Soaring Success

Bald Eagle Expert Joins Legendary Explorers Club Honorees

Explorations

Arlington House perched atop Arlington National Cemetery

In the Shadow of History

At Robert E. Lee’s Former Residence, Researcher Opens Door to Overlooked Legacies

Explorations

The FEWture of Food Forests

Persimmons, Pawpaws and Beach Plums Thrive in Edible Ecosystems

Explorations

robot under nose identifies cheese, fire, fish, etc.

What the Bio-Nose Knows

Futuristic Smeller Uses Talents of Living Cells

Explorations

man and woman sit at table with dishes flying around them; boxers shake hands

Talking Politics—Without Getting the Silent Treatment

Ask an Expert: Advice for Real Life

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

Passings

Deborah Lynn Dahl-Young ’90

Deborah Lynn Dahl-Young ’90 of Bel Air, Md., died on Oct. 20, 2023, at Johns Hopkins Medical Center after a battle with kidney cancer. She was 56. Born in South Bend, Ind., she was a graduate of Joppatowne High School, majored in business at UMD and…

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…

00s

Vanessa Smith MBA ’04

Vanessa Smith MBA ’04 was appointed chair of Teach for America-Greater Philadelphia after serving on its advisory board for the past three years. She is president of ServiceNow.org and in 2021 was named one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by…

Passings

Jonson Marin ’00

Jonson Marin ’00 of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., died on Dec. 15, 2023, due to complications from Lyme disease. He was 46. Born in San Miguel, El Salvador, Marin was a software engineer. He was an avid downhill mountain biker, snorkeler and paddle boarder.…

Passings

Ronald Gregory “Greg” Bassett

Ronald Gregory “Greg” Bassett of Ocean City, Md., a longtime journalist on the Eastern Shore, died on Dec. 10, 2023, at age 63. He graduated from Wicomico High School, after having many of his photos of news events published by local newspapers. He earned…

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

Lawrence Gramling DBA ’82

Lawrence Gramling DBA ’82 of Milford, Conn., died on Oct. 17, 2023, at age 77. He was born and raised in Williamsport, Pa., and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. After attending the University of Scranton, Northeastern University (where he met…

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,…