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

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…

90s

Raja Sundararajan M.S. ’98

Raja Sundararajan M.S. ’98 was named executive vice president of strategy and customer solutions of Alliant Energy. He spent nearly 20 years with American Electric Power, most recently as executive vice president of external affairs. He earned his…

00s

Ahmed Elyased-Ahmed ’06

Ahmed Elyased-Ahmed ’06, vice president of strategic analytics for the Maryland Hospital Association, was named to the Baltimore Business Journal's “40 Under 40.”

80s

Robin Champ ’88

Robin Champ ’88 was named the first vice president for strategic foresight at LBL Strategies, a certified veteran-owned small business specializing in strategy and foresight training and consulting. She most recently was chief of the Enterprise Strategy…

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…

00s

Kristen Kirkwood ’07

Kristen Kirkwood ’07, executive director of the Harford Land Trust, a land-conservation organization in Harford County, was named to the Baltimore Business Journal's 40 Under 40. She earned a master’s degree in sustainability and environmental management…

10s

Kristin Fallon MBA ’11

Kristin Fallon MBA ’11 joined Bentley Systems, a leader in infrastructure engineering software, as chief marketing officer. She was previously global head of brand and digital marketing at GE HealthCare. She holds a B.A. in economics from Wake Forest…

00s

Joe Feldmann '04

Joe Feldmann '04, who took home $45,000 on the TV series “Jeopardy!” in June 2022, returned this fall for the new Champions Wildcard tournament; it pitted winners from the previous two seasons against each other for a spot in the Tournament of Champions.…