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

80s

Joe Niland ’86

Joe Niland ’86 wrote the recent novel “Just Kill the Hostages.” It was inspired by his 27-year career in the federal government, including the FBI’s counterterrorism division. He spent time embedded with the Green Berets looking for Americans held hostage…

Passings

Helen Gary Warner German ‘75

Helen Gary Warner German ‘75 of Greenbelt, Md., died on Oct. 23, 2023, at age 70, nearly seven years after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. She was born in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Parkdale High School and UMD. German…

80s

Jim Jones ’83

Jim Jones ’83 was named the first deputy commissioner for human foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He oversees food safety, chemical safety and innovative food products, such as new agricultural technologies, to bolster the resilience of the…

90s

Jordan Goldstein ’94

Jordan Goldstein ’94 was named co-CEO of Gensler, the world’s largest architecture firm. Goldstein has been with Gensler since 1996. His recent projects included 2112 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Capital One’s Tysons headquarters and Marriott International’s…

Passings

Roy Eades ’69

Roy Eades ’69 died on Nov. 9, 2023, at the age of 77. Roy was born on Aug. 14, 1946, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Riverdale, Md. He worked for Safeway for 42 years, working his way up from night stocker to store manager. Eades served as the…

Passings

Virginia “Ginny” (Harvey) Coco ’60

Virginia “Ginny” (Harvey) Coco ’60 died on Dec. 10, 2023, at age 84 at her home in Ocean City, N.J. She graduated from Girls High School in Philadelphia, UMD, where she majored in physical education, and Temple University. She and her husband, Bill, ran…

Passings

Frederick William Kaufman ’58

Frederick William Kaufman ’58 died on Dec. 19, 2023, in Owosso, Mich. He was 102. Kaufman attended Baltimore High School and majored in English at UMD. He served in the U.S. Navy.

Passings

John Randolph Katkish ’75

John Randolph Katkish ’75 of Williamsburg, Va., died on Nov. 5, 2023, at age 70. He was born in Washington, D.C., coached his younger brother's baseball team, and traveled to visit his older sister in Mexico and Alaska. He attended St. John's College High…