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

Steven Charles Theodore ’74

Steven Charles Theodore ’74 died on Dec. 16, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla., after a battle with cancer. He was 71. Raised in Wheaton, Md., Theodore and his twin sister, Gwen, graduated from Einstein High School and UMD. It was at the university that he met…

Passings

Martin Lewis Berger ’66

Martin Lewis Berger ’66 of Rockville, Md., died Dec. 18, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Raised in Silver Spring, Md., Berger attended Coolidge High School and UMD, where he studied education. He began his career teaching middle school…

70s

Haluk Ferden Gursel M.A. ’76

Career fraud fighter Haluk Ferden Gursel M.A. ’76 received the Lifetime Achievement in Compliance at the 2023 Excellence in Compliance Awards. Among his career highlights, he served in the internal oversight department with the World Health Organization…

Passings

Kristine Chase Ph.D. ’81

Kristine Chase Ph.D. ’81 died on Oct. 24, 2023, at the age of 74, after a two-year battle with endometrial cancer. She grew up in Redwood City, Calif., then graduated from Woodside High School and UC Davis, where she earned bachelor's and master's degrees…

90s

Brian Doheny ’92

Brian Doheny ’92 was named chief operating officer at Lucet, a provider of behavioral health solutions and services to commercial health plans, government agencies and other sponsors of care. He was most recently vice president of Medicare trend and…

00s

Charles Clancy Ph.D. ’06

Charles Clancy Ph.D. ’06 was named chief technology officer in addition to his role as senior vice president and general manager of MITRE Labs. Clancy joined MITRE in 2019 as the vice president for intelligence programs. He previously served as the…

00s

Natasha Mehu ’08

Natasha Mehu ’08 was recently named to Chase Brexton Health Care’s board of directors. She is a lobbyist at Manis Canning & Associates, advocating for clients' interests to Maryland's state and local governments. Previously, Mehu was the director of…

Passings

Jenafred Juliet Shore M.L.S. ’77

Jenafred Juliet Shore M.L.S. ’77 of Annapolis, Md., died on Dec. 22, 2023. She was 72. Shore was employed by the Anne Arundel County Library System and served at the West Street Annapolis and Hillsmere branches. She was a devotee of the classical…