Letters to the editor
From the president
As I write this, I’m looking forward to the unusual opportunity of sharing the stage at Commencement with Kermit the Frog. The beloved Muppet is scheduled to address graduates at the ceremony, and the entire Terp community has been so enthusiastic—as have millions around the world who learned of our green guest speaker.
This is a homecoming for Kermit, who was created by a UMD student: Jim Henson ’60. His imagination and artistry were nurtured here then, and the university remains committed to cultivating young artists today.
The arts have the power to shape how we view the world, to encourage empathy and kindness, and to expand understanding. Through the Arts for All program that’s sparking unique collaborations across campus as well as our academic offerings and hundreds of events each year, we welcome students, alums, faculty and others to turn their ideas into thought-provoking performances, experiences and visual works.
With these investments, maybe we’re helping prepare the next Jim Henson to reach their potential.
In this issue of Terp, you’ll find other examples of how the university is inspiring Terps—students, staff and faculty—to greatness.
A $6 million gift to our Maryland Democracy Initiative from Marsha ’64 and Henry Laufer will expand its research on increasing civic engagement among students from kindergarten to graduate school. We launched, with another generous gift from an alum, the new Edward & Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine in collaboration with the University of Maryland, Baltimore and support from the MPowering the State strategic partnership. And through a new billion-dollar initiative with the state, UMD is cementing its place as the Capital of Quantum.
And don’t miss the hopeful feature story about the Incentive Awards Program. Started 25 years ago by my longtime mentor and predecessor as president, C.D. “Dan” Mote, Jr., IAP has changed the lives of hundreds of local students who have demonstrated exceptional perseverance and promise. It is one more example of how the University of Maryland is continuing to forge progress through higher education.
Sincerely,
Darryll J. Pines
President, University of Maryland
Glenn L. Martin Professor of Aerospace Engineering
Panera Opens at Site of Longtime Restaurant—Without the Tin-foil Swans
I really enjoyed your article about Adele’s. I always remember a dish they had there—it was a curry dish and I believe it had chicken, bananas and jalapeños. It sounds strange I know but it was soooo good. It was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten to this day.
Chelsea Harrison ’05, Severna Park, Md.
No matter the decade, Terps found refuges and ‘Rendezvous’ points on College Park’s Main Street
My husband, Paul Rosenfeld ’08, and I love reminiscing about our UMD years together. One of our favorite topics is what Route 1 looked like and where we used to hang out. Bagel Place, Plato’s, Santa Fe, Town Hall and so many more are cherished memories. I was disappointed by what I thought was a major oversight, though: College Perk, the cafe and coffeehouse at 9078 Baltimore Ave. from 2003-09. It was the quintessential college hangout experience.
Alison (Daniels) Rosenfeld ‘08
Anyone remember Howie’s? They had the best steak and cheese. Big Howie and his wife Sue ran Howie’s, and it was the place to eat because Sue was insistent that everything was fresh and clean. They also had pinball machines and were the only game in town until Hungry Herman’s moved in on the corner.
Connie Rogers Frostenson ’80, Ponte Vedra Beach Fla., via Facebook
Thanks for the memories. The Vous lives on, albeit under a different label. And kudos for not forgetting the Varsity Grill. If I had a dollar for every beer ... .
David Firth ’71, Aromas, Calif.
Thanks a million for your story. I shared it with dozens of friends, including my dad, a Vous-goer in the ’70s, and two friends who met at Thirsty Turtle and now have three kids! What a fun trip down memory lane.
Jennifer L. Mino-Mirowitz ’07, Gaithersburg, Md.
Your article was especially fun to read because I used to know Jeanne Yetman (who was on David Letterman’s show with the stupid people trick), and Mr. Zalesak (Zal), who opened the Varsity Grill in 1932. When I was a freshman at Maryland in the early 1980s, I wrote my freshman English term paper on Zal and went to his home to interview him multiple times. He was an interesting man, and it was so very nice to read his name in print and to remember those days.
Lindsay Barranco M.S. ’24, Institute of Applied Agriculture
The establishment I’m shocked was not included: Krazi Kebob! Like many college town eateries, Krazi Kebob was known for an awesome BOGO deal every Tuesday for naan wraps, a Pakistani-Mexican fusion I’ve experienced only here.
Nicole Shyong ‘14, Greenbelt, Md.