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

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…

10s

Ryan Harshman ’14, ‘14

CPA Ryan Harshman ’14, ‘14 was promoted at accounting and advisory firm Brown Plus to audit principal, based in the Frederick, Md., office. He had been an audit senior manager there. He serves as treasurer for both the Grossnickle Church of the Brethren…

00s

Marguerite Weese ’04

Marguerite Weese ’04 was promoted to chief wealth strategist at Wilmington Trust. She previously served as COO of Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory and as national director of Family Legacy Strategies She holds a J.D. and LL.M. in…

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…

00s

Jason Hofberg ’09

Jason Hofberg ’09 was a 2026 Washington Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. Hofberg is a tax principal at BDO USA, a leading accounting, tax and advisory firm.

Passings

Dr. Frank Verde ’55

Dr. Frank Verde ’55 died on Oct. 25, 2025, at the age of 92. He grew up in Baltimore’s close-knit Little Italy neighborhood before his family moved to a home built by his grandfather in Hamilton. A graduate of City College High School, Verde went on to…

80s

James H. VanSciver Ed.D. ’85

James H. VanSciver Ed.D. ’85 published his eighth book, “Hi! I’m Pinnochio. I’ve Got No Strings on Me.” It details the experiences and aspirations of an 8-week-old Sheltie, whose wisdom is a parallel dialog to Walt Disney’s timeless story about a puppet…

Passings

John Francis Jones MBA ’01

John Francis Jones MBA ’01 died on Oct. 31, 2025, at the age of 54. He grew up in Newport News, Va., and played football and participated in international science fairs at Denbigh High School. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, then served in the…