Winter 2025

January 15, 2025

A UMD researcher of a rare disease that fatally ages children has discovered how an obscure blue compound could help us all look younger.

strawberry holding umbrella with crabs on it; a pear holding a "RIPE" sign shaking hands with a banana; a sparkling steak

Explorations

January 15, 2025

Researchers Devise Spoilage-Stopping Tech That Could Change How We Grow, Buy and Store Produce

Kermit sits with statue of himself and Jim Henson on UMD campus

Parting Shot

January 15, 2025

Famed Frog Makes a Rainbow Connection With Terps

Post-Grad

January 15, 2025

An ‘Underexposed’ Photo of UMD History

Post-Grad

January 15, 2025

Alumna’s Book Weaves Together African Design Principles and Contemporary Decor

Post-Grad

January 15, 2025

Antics of Alums’ Goldendoodle Bring Joy to Millions on Social Media

Post-Grad

January 15, 2025

Terp Promotes On-Screen Representation by Making Avatars More Customizable

Post-Grad

January 15, 2025

The Alumni Excellence Awards

one person says "Bonjour!" and the other says "Tres bien!"

Explorations

January 15, 2025

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

Joi Howard poses by brick columns and greenery

Features

January 15, 2025

Joi Howard ’03 seeks to turn a shuttered, segregated psychiatric hospital into a working farm and wellness site for the Black community.

collage of photos: cars driving on Route 1 at night; students standing in Rendezvous; students dancing; students standing outside on sidewalk; man wearing hat playing pinball with beer; man in aviator sunglasses

Features

January 15, 2025

No matter the decade, Terps found refuges and ‘Rendezvous’ points on College Park’s Main Street

silhouette with scribble brain and garbled words coming out of mouth

Explorations

January 15, 2025

Migraines Rob Doctoral Student of Words. He Helps Youths Find Theirs.

Explorations

January 15, 2025

Management Researcher Eyes Steps to Improve Escalator Efficiency

Jill Bradbury signs in front of stage next to electronic sign that reads, "Welcome to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center"

Explorations

January 15, 2025

School’s First Deaf Leader to Expand Options to Guests

Explorations

January 15, 2025

System Can Predict Approach of Giant Waves

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

Passings

Norman Francis Danis Jr. M.A. ’66

Norman Francis Danis Jr. M.A. ’66, died on Dec. 10, 2024, at his home in Bethesda, Md., surrounded by his loving family. He was 86 and had suffered from dementia. Danis grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School,…

90s

Dan Groman ’98

Dan Groman ’98 was promoted to executive vice president, general counsel, secretary and chief compliance officer at Walker & Dunlop. He has worked at the real estate finance and advisory services firm since 2012, and before that served as associate…

00s

Nate Tibbits MBA ’01

Nate Tibbits MBA ’01, senior vice president, global government affairs and corporate responsibility at Qualcomm, was named one of D.C.’s 2024 Tech Titans by Washingtonian magazine, showcasing 219 of the most innovative and important leaders in…

Passings

Barrett Lee McKown ’57

Barrett Lee McKown ’57 of Edgewater, Md., died on Nov. 25, 2024, at age 89. After majoring in education at UMD, he received his Master of Biological Science degree from American University. McKown began his career teaching biology at Suitland and DuVal…

00s

Forrest G. Popkin ’08

Forrest G. Popkin ’08 joined Bates Architects in Frederick, Md., as vice president. He previously worked with Bates Architects between 2010 and 2018. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and certified by the National Council of…

10s

Catharine Montgomery MBA ’19

Catharine Montgomery MBA ’19 was named a finalist in the Best Female Entrepreneur – Business Products –10 or Less Employees category in the 21st annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. The awards honor women executives, entrepreneurs, employees and…

90s

Tamara Wilds Lawson M.A. ’98, Ph.D. ’09

Tamara Wilds Lawson M.A. ’98, Ph.D. ’09, president and CEO, Washington Area Women’s Foundation, was named Washington Business Journal’s Nonprofit Leader of the Year. She joined the community-supported foundation, which invests in the power of women and…

90s

Brian A. Flank ’98

Brian A. Flank ’98 joined Cole Schotz P.C. as a member in the firm’s corporate transactions practice group. He’s a member of the firm’s real estate department, with extensive experience advising clients in real estate acquisitions, dispositions,…