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

Nelly Martha Osinga Branson B.L.A. ’07

Nelly Martha Osinga Branson B.L.A. ’07 died on July 5, 2023. She was born July 29, 1953, to Dutch immigrants Jan and Douwina Osinga and raised on Sweet Briar College's dairy farm in Virginia. She graduated from Amherst County High School and Sweet Briar…

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

James Lawrence Sherald ’68, M.S. ’72, Ph.D. ’74

James Lawrence Sherald ’68, M.S. ’72, Ph.D. ’74, of Alexandria, Va., died on Oct. 9, 2023, at the age of 77. He grew up in Frederick, Md., and graduated from St. John’s High School and UMD, where he majored in horticulture. Following his service in…

Passings

Barbara Lee Hamilton ’63

Barbara Lee Hamilton ’63, of Lonaconing, Md., died on Dec. 14, 2023 at age 82. She was a graduate of Valley High School in Lonaconing and majored in French at UMD. She lived in Washington, D.C., and worked for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She…

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…

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…

00s

Allyn (Bloomfield)

Allyn (Bloomfield) Molina ’01 joined the board of directors of the YMCA of Montclair (N.J.). She is the group vice president, publishing at Wiley Publishing, where she manages publishing development for 2,000 research journals. Molina previously served on…

80s

David Gehn ’88

David Gehn ’88 became a partner at Fox Rothschild’s litigation department. Gehn has over 30 years of experience as a litigator with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to broker-dealers. Gehn was the NFL Players Association-certified contract…