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

James Dayton Blackwell ’54, M.Ed. ’58

James Dayton Blackwell ’54, M.Ed. ’58 died at his home in Catonsville, Md., on Oct. 16, 2023, at age 91. After completing his degrees in music education at UMD, Blackwell was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves, ending his service career…

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…

90s

Tucker Barnes M.A. ’96

Tucker Barnes M.A. ’96 was named chief meteorologist at FOX 5. He joined the D.C. TV station in 2003 and is married to fellow FOX 5 meteorologist Caitlin Roth.

Passings

Joseph B. Gildenhorn ’51

Joseph B. Gildenhorn ’51, of Washington, D.C., a lawyer, real estate developer and former U.S. ambassador to Switzerland who supported the performing arts at the University of Maryland and established its Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn Institute for Israel…

90s

Melissa Scaletta Blubaugh ’92

Disability rights advocate Melissa Scaletta Blubaugh ’92 was elected chair of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council. Composed of gubernatorial appointees who represent people with significant disabilities across the state, the council works…

Passings

Robert Geisler ’66

Robert Geisler ’66 died on Sept. 14, 2023, from prostate cancer and congestive heart failure at the age of 81. Raised in Chevy Chase, Md., Geisler graduated from St. John’s College in Washington, D.C., then earned an associate’s degree from Montgomery…

10s

Gregg Hill ’19

Gregg Hill ’19 joined the Carolinas-based law firm Robinson Bradshaw. He graduated from the Howard University School of Law as a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. At UMD, he was treasurer of its National Society of Collegiate Scholars chapter.…

Passings

Patricia “Pat” Yeager ‘78

Patricia “Pat” Yeager ‘78 died on Sept. 12, 2023, at age 88. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Yeager and her husband, Richard “Dick” Yeager, moved to Bowie, Md., in 1963, where they raised their five children. Yeager later graduated from UMD with a…