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

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,…

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…

Passings

Paul Allen “P.A.” Willis MLIS ’66

Paul Allen “P.A.” Willis MLIS ’66 died on Dec. 5, 2024, at his Georgetown, S.C., home at age 83. Willis was born in Floyd County, Ind., and attended St. Joseph College in Indiana before transferring to the University of Kentucky to earn a bachelor's…

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,…

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,…

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…

90s

Deborah Katz Levi ’93

Deborah Katz Levi ’93 was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is the director of special litigation for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender in Baltimore. She also serves on the…

70s

Carey Wright '72, M.S. '76, E.D.D. ’94

Carey Wright '72, M.S. '76, E.D.D. ’94, Maryland state superintendent of schools, was named to The Baltimore Sun’s 25 Women to Watch 2024. The list showcases leading voices in business, activism, research and more.