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Winter 2025

Kan Cao holds flask as she works in lab

Features

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
three women smile with cow

Post-Grad

January 15, 2025
An ‘Underexposed’ Photo of UMD History
Nasozi Kakembo poses next to Juju hat

Post-Grad

January 15, 2025
Alumna’s Book Weaves Together African Design Principles and Contemporary Decor
goldendoodle with UMD bandana

Post-Grad

January 15, 2025
Antics of Alums’ Goldendoodle Bring Joy to Millions on Social Media
avatar wearing black hoodie

Post-Grad

January 15, 2025
Terp Promotes On-Screen Representation by Making Avatars More Customizable
gold star on red background

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.
man in red hoodie going up escalator

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
waves crash

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
Derek Griffith ’93 headshot

90s

Derek Griffith ’93

Derek Griffith ’93 was named the Risa Lavizzo-Mourey Population Health and Health Equity University Professor in the School of Nursing and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Griffith is an innovator in the study of health…
Bonni Anne Carr DiRenzi ’89 headshot

Passings

Bonni Anne Carr DiRenzi ’89

Bonni Anne Carr DiRenzi ’89 of Telford, Pa., died on Dec. 4, 2024, at the age of 57. Born and raised in South Jersey, she graduated from Audubon High School and earned a journalism degree at UMD and a Master of Business Administration in marketing from…
Marty Brooks ’78 headshot

70s

Marty Brooks ’78

Marty Brooks ’78, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District since 2018, was named Milwaukee Business Journal's Executive of the Year. He is credited with revitalizing the downtown venues, including doubling the size of Baird, a convention center,…
Catherine Springer-Sapp Ph.D. ’24 headshot

20s

Catherine Springer-Sapp Ph.D. ’24

Catherine Springer-Sapp Ph.D. ’24 was named assistant professor of kinesiology and coordinator of health sciences at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md. She earned a master’s degree in kinesiology from East Carolina University and has a bachelor’s degree…
Ken Hutkin ’82 headshot

80s

Ken Hutkin ’82

Ken Hutkin ’82 joined LPL Financial’s employee advisor channel, Linsco by LPL Financial, to launch 57th Street Wealth Advisors. He brings more than 30 years of experience as a business owner and entrepreneur to the partnership.
Luke Grossmann MBA ’08 headshot

00s

Luke Grossmann MBA ’08

Luke Grossmann MBA ’08 was promoted to chief financial officer and executive vice president of the U.S. Postal Service. He’s worked there for 20 years, mostly recently as senior vice president of finance and strategy. Grossmann has a bachelor’s degree in…
Bradley Jopek D.M.A. ’24 headshot

20s

Bradley Jopek D.M.A. ’24

Bradley Jopek D.M.A. ’24 is the new director of the music program and assistant professor of music at Trine University in Indiana. He graduated from Grove City College and received two Master of Music degrees, in wind and orchestral conducting, from the…
Michelle “Sun” Choe ’91 headshot

90s

Michelle “Sun” Choe ’91

Michelle “Sun” Choe ’91 was named to the OC500 2024, a compendium of the 500 most influential people in Orange County, Calif. She is the global brand president of Vans, and before that was chief product officer at Lululemon.