Winter 2026

January 15, 2026

As UMD steps up with a bold $2.5B fundraising campaign, take an interactive jaunt through Terp pride, purpose and progress.

Features

January 15, 2026

An illegal trade in animals is booming worldwide. Now, a UMD conservation criminologist is turning to artificial intelligence to snare smugglers and expose their networks.

Post-Grad

January 15, 2026

4 Ways to Stay Connected as Maryland Moves Forward

Parting Shot

January 15, 2026

IDEA Factory Window Casts Interior in Otherworldly Light

Post-Grad

January 15, 2026

An ‘Underexposed’ Photo From UMD History

Post-Grad

January 15, 2026

Alum Serves, Protects State’s Threatened Bug Community

Post-Grad

January 15, 2026

Architect Wants Your Next Airport Experience to Feel Less Terminal

Post-Grad

January 15, 2026

Alum Flips, Fights, Tumbles Across New York Sets

Explorations

January 15, 2026

Study: Lightning Creates, and Eliminates, Pollution

Explorations

January 15, 2026

Scientist Examines Sea Ice Via Satellite, Plane and Snowmobile

Explorations

January 15, 2026

Study Aims to Improve Decision-making, Health Outcomes

Explorations

January 15, 2026

Ask the Expert: Advice for Real Life

Explorations

January 15, 2026

Wild Predators Navigate the World Similarly to Domesticated Cousins, Study Finds

Explorations

January 15, 2026

Study: Tripadvisor Readers See Lone Consumers as Invested in Activities

Explorations

January 15, 2026

VR Reading Adventure Improves Skills for Dyslexic Youth

Class Notes

News on Friends and Classmates

See all Class Notes from this issue

80s

Carrie Towbes M.Ed. ’82

Carrie Towbes M.Ed. ’82 was named the 82nd Person of the Year for the Santa Barbara, Calif., area. She is a licensed psychologist specializing in child clinical psychology who has served in schools, hospitals, community mental health centers and nonprofit…

Passings

Theresa “Terry” Ann Mannion ’71

Theresa “Terry” Ann Mannion ’71 died on Nov. 24, 2025, at the age of 77 in Silver Spring, Md. After graduating from Dunmore (Pa.) High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education at UMD, where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and tended…

00s

Alycia Marshall Ph.D. ’07

Alycia Marshall Ph.D. ’07 was appointed president of the Community College of Philadelphia’s Board of Trustees, where she had served as interim president since April. She had been provost and vice president for academic and student success for the…

70s

Jan Pottker M.A. ’72

Jan Pottker M.A. ’72 published her ninth book, “Vivien Thomas: The Man Who Overcame Racism to Save Millions of Lives,” which is the first biography for adult readers about the pioneering medical researcher. She was previously named Entrepreneur of the…

90s

Bey-Ling Sha M.A. ’95, Ph.D. ’99

Bey-Ling Sha M.A. ’95, Ph.D. ’99, dean of Texas Tech University’s College of Media & Communication, was recently installed as president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. She has been involved in the organization…

”Extra Innings: The Linn Hendershot Story” promo

00s

Noah Linn Hendershot ’08

Noah Linn Hendershot ’08 is the subject of ”Extra Innings: The Linn Hendershot Story,” a documentary on YouTube created by his brother, Tom. It won Best Documentary at the Maryland International Film Festival. A polio survivor who used a wheelchair, he…

Passings

Donald Ray Soeken Ph.D. ’78

Donald Ray Soeken Ph.D. ’78 died at his home in Ellicott City, Md., on Nov. 21, 2025. He was 80. Born in Lyons, Kan., he graduated from the Youth Leadership Training Program at Valparaiso University, where he majored in theology. He received a Master of…

10s

Ryan Leeb ’11

Ryan Leeb ’11 joined the Severna Park, Md.-based KMA Law Office. A third-generation certified financial planner in his family, he focuses on the areas of estate planning, succession planning and wealth management. Leeb graduated from the University of…