A NEWSLETTER EXCLUSIVELY FOR UMD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
INSIDETHESHELL SPRING 2020
ONE LUCKY MEMBER WINS TICKETS TO WITNESS HISTORY PG. 4
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
We caught up with JIM SPENCER ’90, who is rounding out his first year as president of the University of Maryland Alumni Association Board of Governors.
q: How has your first year been as president? jim: It’s a pleasure to be a champion for our university and our alumni. It’s invigorating and exciting to meet with motivated students, alumni and university staff. There are great things going on at Maryland, and it’s an honor to participate. Q: How can we best serve our alumni during the coronavirus pandemic, a uniquely challenging period? jim: Many alumni have been overwhelmed trying to deal with work, families and other new challenges caused by COVID-19. The University of Maryland and the Alumni Association continue to provide great communication and online programming. Alumni appreciate that the university and the staff continue to work hard. Reading the publications and emails provides a welcome break. Additionally, it is great to see the UMD community come together and support the Student Crisis Fund to help our student Terps. q: What does being a member of the Alumni Association mean to you? jim: I think, first and foremost, it’s important to give back. The University of Maryland gave us the opportunity to learn, grow and mature. It is an amazing place, and we all need to contribute to the university’s continued growth and excellence. Also, being a member comes with many rewards: the chance to remember and enjoy all the great things about the school and participate in many interesting activities. q: How did you first get involved with the Alumni Association? jim: My love for the university motivated me to join. I became a lifetime member many years ago and joined the board of governors seven years ago. q: Can you share some insight on how our members can interact with the Alumni Association? jim: I sincerely think every Terp should be a lifetime member. It’s a winwin—joining the association benefits the university and the alumni base as a whole. It’s the first step in demonstrating our love for our alma mater. On top of that, there are many great events on and off campus. I tell everyone: Show your Maryland pride—please join us and participate!
The COVID-19 pandemic has created extreme financial hardships for many of our students — lost jobs, food insecurity, lack of housing and much more. You can make an immediate impact on students’ lives by giving to the UMD Student Crisis Fund at go.umd.edu/crisisfund.
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STAY CONNECTED As a member, you have an extensive network of Terps at your fingertips, and we’re here to connect you with others in your industry, provide career development and help you discover your passion. • You can participate in programs and events that help you become the best version of yourself through our affinity networks. Gather with like-minded Terps in groups such as our Terp Entrepreneur Network, Latinx Alumni Network and the University of Maryland Black Alumni Network. • Through Terrapins Connect you can mentor the next generation of Terp leaders, get invaluable career advice or connect with Terps who can help you get hired. • Join us for Virtual Do Good service month. Every April, alumni from around the country unite to do good in their communities, and you’re invited to take part in the action — virtually. Explore virtual service projects or create your own. • You can expand your social circle and boost your professional path through hundreds of annual networking and celebratory events hosted by our regional networks around the country. For more information, email Angela Dimopoulos at adimop@umd.edu or visit alumni.umd.edu/stay-connected.
PHOTO BY CHARLES MANLEY
EYES ON THE PRIZE
As Radhika Gholap ’21 looks forward to medical school, a scholarship gives an extra boost to her aspiration
One major. Two minors. A teaching assistant, research associate, co-president, tutor and volunteer. If you think that’s a lot on someone’s plate, Radhika Gholap ’21 will tell you she’s just keeping her eyes on the prize—medical school. “I’ve always been interested in the biological sciences, and through shadowing and my various co-curricular activities, I know for a fact that my calling is medicine.” A junior studying physiology and neurobiology with a double minor in Spanish and statistics, Gholap is taking advantage of all the University of Maryland has to offer. With the help of her Alumni Association Student Scholarship she's saying "yes" to every opportunity that awaits. Through Terps for Change, she tutors local high school students in math, English and SAT preparation. Her Spanish language skills come in handy in her volunteer work with CASA: Mi Espacio, an after-school leadership and enrichment program
THANK YOU PHOTO COURTESY OF RADHIKA GHOLAP
for Latino high school students, many of whom are recent immigrants working to improve their English. “I appreciate being able to engage with the students and give them much-needed one-onone tutoring help,” she says. “Whoever I get the privilege of working with, I hope that I make a real difference for them.” Gholap appreciates the faculty members she’s been learning from since she arrived on campus. “The professors do a phenomenal job of linking subject material to students’ career aspirations,” she notes. She remembers when one of her professors advised her: “Don’t let your Plan B get in the way of your Plan A.” She has lived by that ever since. Her message to members of the University of Maryland Alumni Association? “I’m so thankful and honored to receive this scholarship!”
$54,000 WAS AWARDED LAST YEAR IN SCHOLARSHIPS. YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES SUPPORT THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
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"Winning this experience was the absolute best surprise I’ve ever had! From the gorgeous hotel suite to watching one of the best games of the season, it was nonstop fun. The weekend was a wonderful reminder of all the things I miss about being at Maryland, and I will cherish these memories for years to come."
THE
ULTIMATE
MEMBER EXPERIENCE It was an exciting—if abruptly shortened— season for Maryland basketball and the Alumni Association was happy to offer one lucky member the opportunity to get in on the action—and come back home to College Park. Mary Toole '19 and a guest enjoyed a weekend of exclusive Terp experiences leading up to the men’s basketball Big Ten showdown against Michigan. The Terps not only won (83-70) but also secured their share of the Big Ten regularseason title before the NCAA canceled March Madness amid the growing COVID-19 outbreak. From waking up in the Governor’s Suite at The Hotel at the University of Maryland to taking selfies on the court, Mary had a once-ina-lifetime member experience that also included private transportation to and from the game, where they had awesome premium seats! All new and renewing members AND current lifetime members, were eligible to win the basketball experience.
Current members were also able to join in on the fun by participating in social media contests for a chance to win free tickets to games throughout the season:
MARY TOOLE '19 WITH BOARD OF GOVERNORS PRESIDENT JIM SPENCER '90
SHERIN GHAFIR '91 "Being a lifetime member keeps me connected to my alma mater. It's a part of who I am and who we are as a family. We are a family of 4 very proud Terps everyday, but especially when we earn a "W"!
JEREMY ARNOLD '98 Winning photo post: "February 7th, 1995 at Cole Field House to watch Joe Smith and our Terps storm back to beat the #1 ranked Tarheels. Madness!"
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PHOTO CREDIT
YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS
19,600+
12,000+
$10,000+
ACTIVE MEMBERS TO CONNECT WITH
SAVED THROUGH TERP DEALS
NAMES ON THE FRANN G. AND ERIC S. FRANCIS LIFETIME MEMBER WALL
400 MEMBERS ATTENDED EVENTS FOR FREE IN 2019
27 STUDENTS RECEIVED ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2019
SAVINGS WITH TERP DEALS
With your Terp Deals account, you can save money without leaving your house on products and services relevant to your safety, health and extended time at home. terpdeals.enjoymydeals.com
PHOTO CREDIT
• Grocery coupons
• Health products
• Food delivery
• Children’s book club subscriptions
• Meal kit services • Online pet supplies
• Activities to do at home
• Home office and computer discounts
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FREE VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
Whether you are looking to stay informed or be entertained, check out these free virtual offerings to keep you connected to the Terp community.
terrapins connect
online directory
Mentor the next generation of Terp leaders, get invaluable career advice or connect with Terps who can help you get hired. » terrapinsconnect.umd.edu
Find and connect with former classmates and friends. » alumni.umd.edu/directory
webinars
Sharpen your skills through our live and archived webinars designed to help you advance personally and professionally. » alumni.umd.edu/prof-dev
alumni blog
Read inspiring stories, professional advice and exciting updates from your fellow fearless alumni. » alumni.umd.edu/stay-informed/ alumni-blog social media
virtual book club
Connect with fellow Terp readers on business, communications, leadership, productivity, fiction, leisure and more. » alumni.umd.edu/bookclub
Connect with your alumni community via Facebook (@TerpAlumni), Instagram (@Maryland_Alumni) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/ groups/105383/)
courses
Learn something new by taking a free UMD class online. » coursera.org/umd
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For a full list of virtual programs, visit: alumni.umd.edu/virtualprogramming
ILLUSTRATION BY DIMAS SYUARDI
FREE MEMBER EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
One of your greatest member benefits is access to select Alumni Association events for FREE! While we cannot offer in-person events at this time, let's take a look back at some of our previous events and remember to visit alumni.umd.edu/virtualprogramming in the meantime to stay connected.
DISNEY INSTITUTE There is a magic about Disney—its service and culture are unmatched. Chrissy Holt '88, Disney Institute remote account manager, shared how organizations and business professionals can benefit from Disney through a Disney Institute advisory framework on Oct. 15. Fifty-five members attended for free.
LIGHT CITY Lifetime members Lulu and George Kauffman ‘76 joined member Lisa Richard ‘09 and other fellow Terps in Baltimore, MD on Nov. 7 to celebrate the arts during the annual Light City Festival at the top of the Rusty Scupper. Alumni took in the sights all around the harbor, while enjoying special entertainment and glow displays of our own that highlighted the Maryland community. Eighty-one members attended for free.
CONGRESSIONAL HOLIDAY PARTY The Alumni Association celebrated the holiday season with a fun and festive party on Dec. 5 at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD. Lifetime member Maya Dawit ‘15 and member Esanye Ogbe ‘17 joined fellow alumni to grab a drink, catch up and celebrate the holidays. Nearly 200 members attended for free.
OCM (On Campus Marketing), our featured sponsor, is generously giving away a diploma frame to one lucky winner.
ENTER HERE ALUMNI.UMD.EDU/FREE-DIPLOMA-FRAME
Want to purchase your own frame for you or someone you love? Visit: umd.ocm.com/diplomadisplay PHOTO BY LISA HELFERT ’92
Make your mark at Maryland, permanently
With a lifetime membership in the University of Maryland Alumni Association, your name will be engraved on the Frann G. and Eric S. Francis Lifetime Member Wall—signifying your continued commitment to your alma mater. If you have not already, cement your Maryland legacy by becoming a lifetime member and passing your Terp pride on to future generations. In an effort to make lifetime membership more accessible to all, we are offering a $200 discount off standard rates. alumni.umd.edu/LifetimeMember
Lifetime memberships paid in full by April 30, 2020 will be engraved at Homecoming 2020.