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Maryland Today

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
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,…
Michael Genhart M.A. ’87, Ph.D. ’89 accepts plaque

80s

Michael Genhart M.A. ’87, Ph.D. ’89

Michael Genhart M.A. ’87, Ph.D. ’89 received the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award from Texas State University for his latest book, “Spanish is the Language of my Family” (illustrated by John Parra and published by Neal Porter Books). It…

70s

Jody Olsen Ph.D. ’79

A new memoir from Jody Olsen Ph.D. ’79, “A Million Miles: My Peace Corps Journey,” traces her six-decade career with the agency, culminating in her directorship and spanning personal hardships and her struggles as a woman in leadership.
Tammy Mank Wincup M.P.P. ’97 headshot

90s

Tammy Mank Wincup M.P.P. ’97

Tammy Mank Wincup M.P.P. ’97 was appointed chief executive officer of Securly, a provider of solutions for K-12 school safety and wellness. She most recently served as a partner and investment committee member for Rethink Education, an impact venture fund…
Elizabeth Drori ’02 headshot

00s

Elizabeth Drori ’02

Elizabeth Drori ’02 joined the strategic advisory board of SundaySky, an AI-powered video platform built for businesses. She is the chief marketing officer at hands-free footwear company Kizik, and before that was chief marketing officer and general…
Norman Francis Danis Jr. M.A. ’66 headshot

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,…
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…

20s

M Pease ’22

M Pease ’22, a doctoral student in counseling psychology at UMD, is vice chair-elect of the Maryland Commission for LGBTQIA+ Affairs. They are the first out trans nonbinary person of color elected to leadership of a Maryland state board or commission,…