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

90s

Shara M. McCallum M.A. ’96

Shara M. McCallum M.A. ’96 spent the Fall 2025 semester at Binghamton University as its Distinguished Visiting Writer. She is the author of seven books, including “Behold,” forthcoming in 2026; “No Ruined Stone,” winner of the 2022 Hurston/Wright Legacy…

10s

Derek Lynch MBA ’14

Derek Lynch MBA ’14, who had been Wells Fargo’s Maryland commercial leader, was promoted to also oversee commercial banking in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. He joined the company in 2016 as a senior relationship manager. Prior to Wells Fargo,…

Passings

James Jude Kaney ’73

James Jude Kaney ’73 died on Aug. 24, 2025, at the age of 80. A proud graduate of the University of Maryland, Kaney was an ardent supporter of its programs. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy, where he had the distinguished role of serving on the honor…

Colleen Kaufman and Parker Meek in wedding attire, posing with Testudo

20s

Colleen Kaufman ’20 and Parker Meek ’18

Colleen Kaufman ’20 and Parker Meek ’18 were married June 14 at the Bay Front Club in Edgemere, Md., just outside of Baltimore. Kaufman, the daughter of Distinguished University Professor of geology Jay Kaufman, invited Testudo to the wedding, where he…

00s

Jason LaFond ’03

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Jason LaFond ’03 to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Governing Board for a two-year term. The board is tasked with developing a business plan to provide cost-effective drugs and other medical supplies for the public…

10s

Thea LaFond-Gadson ’14

A year after winning gold in the triple jump at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Thea LaFond-Gadson ’14 took silver at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo with a mark of 14.89 meters.

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…

90s

Brian Pertman ’96

Brian Pertman ’96 was appointed president of Top Notch Distributors, a distributor of residential and commercial door hardware. He has three decades of leadership experience across Stanley Black & Decker, Allegion and Jeld-Wen.