Winter 2025

Winter 2025 Kan Cao holds flask as she works in lab

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

Explorations

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

Fresh Takes on Fighting Food Waste

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

Parting Shot

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

Kermit Comes Home

Famed Frog Makes a Rainbow Connection With Terps

Post-Grad

Ag Day A-moo-sment

An ‘Underexposed’ Photo of UMD History

Post-Grad

At Home With a Continent’s Cultural Heritage

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

Post-Grad

Pup ‘Reels’ in the Likes

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

Post-Grad

Creating a Cartoon You

Terp Promotes On-Screen Representation by Making Avatars More Customizable

Post-Grad

Alumni Association News

The Alumni Excellence Awards

Explorations

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

How to Make a Second Language Second Nature

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

Features

Joi Howard poses by brick columns and greenery

A Fresh Start for ‘Maryland’s Shame’

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

Features

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

The Lost Haunts of Route 1

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

Explorations

silhouette with scribble brain and garbled words coming out of mouth

Lost (and Found) in Translation

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

Explorations

Commuter Crunch

Management Researcher Eyes Steps to Improve Escalator Efficiency

Explorations

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

Signs of Accessibility in Performing Arts

School’s First Deaf Leader to Expand Options to Guests

Explorations

AI Confronts Seagoing ‘Rogues’

System Can Predict Approach of Giant Waves

Explorations

house with fertilizer, salt shaker, cleaning products, cinder block and ice melt

Salt Life

Take a Home Tour to Learn How We’re Worsening Salinity Around the World

Campus Life

students sit at round tables as professor lectures; screens show slide reading, "What are the most pressing social issues of our time?"

Freshmen Philanthropists

For 10 Years, iGive Students Have Learned by Awarding Grants to Nonprofits

Campus Life

women's rifle team lies on ground to shoot

Steady Eye on the Target

Hoops Shooters and Sharpshooters Pioneered Terp Women’s Sports a Century Ago

Campus Life

collage of Edmond Dédé, flowers and musical notes

A ‘Mind-Blowing’ Premiere, 130 Years Later

UMD to Debut Oldest Existing Opera by Black Composer

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

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…

10s

Ryan Merkel M.A. ’10

Ryan Merkel M.A. ’10 was hired as principal gifts officer at the National Gallery of Art. He most recently was chief development officer at Washington’s Arena Stage, and he began his career in development at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing…

80s

Brian J. Gibbons '84

Brian J. Gibbons '84, chairman of the board and CEO of Greenberg Gibbons, was among 31 leaders recognized by The Daily Record as the 2024 Most Admired CEOs. Honorees were selected based on professional accomplishments, community service and letters of…

90s

Jason D. Winn ’96

Jason D. Winn ’96 joined Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. as a senior attorney. He serves as general counsel for the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, Florida Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Foundation,…

10s

Rachel Grafman ’16

Rachel Grafman ’16 launched Prosperity Personal Finance, a personal finance coaching practice that helps people, largely millennials and members of Generation Z, gain the tools and skills to take control of their finances.

90s

J. Michael Bruff ’90, ’90

J. Michael Bruff ’90, ’90 was appointed chief financial officer at Envision Healthcare. He previously served as CFO of ChenMed of Lifestance Health and of Varian Medical Systems.

90s

Natalia Luis ’95

Natalia Luis ’95 was named to the Maryland Daily Record’s 2024 Best Women-Owned Business List. She is the co-CEO of M Luis Construction. Under her leadership, the company has received numerous accolades, including the Ernst and Young Maryland Entrepreneur…

70s

Lori Keesey ’79

Lori Keesey ’79 released her first novel, “Always Think of Me,” a love story about friendship and do-overs that features a unique perspective on life. A former journalist, Keesey has written for daily newspapers, trade publications and magazines and…