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

90s

Jessica Bruner ’98

Jessica Bruner ’98 was named to the new national advisory board of Blushington, an express luxury beauty franchise. She is the founding partner of BOND Retail Partners and former managing director at EDENS.

00s

Bridget Blount ’08, ’08

Bridget Blount ’08, ’08, deputy chief executive officer at Baltimore's Promise, was named to the Baltimore Business Journal’s 2024 class of 40 Under 40 honorees, spotlighting the next generation of local business leaders.

Passings

Ina Williams ’70

Ina Williams ’70 of Spring, Texas, died on Sept. 2, 2024, at the age of 77. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., Willliams graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in speech. After working in media and advertising roles, she went on to direct plays and…

00s

Aliza Ali ’07, MBA ’12

Aliza Ali ’07, MBA ’12 was hired to lead government business development for Batelle’s Health business. Previously, Ali served as a vice president of business development at Optum Serve, client executive at Leidos and business development/capture lead at…

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…

00s

Leon Smith ’01

Leon Smith ’01, a longtime social studies teacher at Haverford High School, was named the teacher of the year in Pennsylvania. He also serves as the African American cultural enrichment adviser, freshmen boys’ basketball coach and mentor, who started a…

80s

Joanna Sullivan ’87

Joanna Sullivan ’87, who led the Baltimore Business Journal as editor-in-chief since 1999, accepted a senior editor position within the American City Business Journals chain, the publication’s parent company. She joined the BBJ in 1993 as a reporter and,…

20s

Ray Islam (Mohammad Rubyet Islam) Ph.D. ’23

Ray Islam (Mohammad Rubyet Islam) Ph.D. ’23 is the author of “Generative AI, Cybersecurity, and Ethics,” a textbook and a reference guide for policymakers published by Wiley. He previously served as a lecturer in UMD’s ACES program and is now an adjunct…