2022-2023 Highlights (cont.)

Celebrating 30 Years of QUEST

On November 12 and November 13, 2022, over 160 alumni, students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate 30 years of QUEST! On Saturday night, QUEST took over the rooftop at the Hotel at the University of Maryland. The evening was mainly an opportunity for QUESTees to reunite and catch up with one another. Guests enjoyed a french fry bar, trivia game, and giveaways in the form of turtle stress relievers. Welcome remarks were provided by Smith School Dean Prabhudev Konana, interim QUEST Executive Director Hassan Ibrahim, and former QUEST Executive Director and current Smith School Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs Joseph Bailey. It was a beautiful fall evening and party goers loved catching up on the outdoor terrace, many staying up to an hour after the event.

On Sunday, November 13, the celebrations continued with a student and alumni networking brunch at Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville. Over 75 people attended, including surprise guest Andy Shallal, CEO of Busboys and Poets, who shared an inspiring speech about the origins of the restaurant.

Both events showcased a key strength of the QUEST community: alumni from all cohorts giving back to current students. As Debbie (Gordon) Feinberg, accounting ‘96 (Cohort 1), explained, “QUEST was such an important piece of my undergraduate experience. It’s impossible to list all the ways it has positively impacted me, and I am so happy that the program has continued to thrive over the last 30 years. QUEST has given me a lifelong connection to the University of Maryland, and it gives me great satisfaction to still be involved in the program. We were the pioneers in Cohort 1, and I love having a front row seat to the next generation of the program.” Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate 30 years of QUEST!

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

30TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT SPONSORS

Accenture Federal Services

Guidehouse

A. James Clark School of Engineering

Robert H. Smith School of Business College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

30TH ANNIVERSARY PLANNING COMMITTEE

Rachel DiDonna, former QUEST

Program Manager

Debbie Feinberg, Cohort 1 Alumna

Manas Kulkarni, Cohort 18 Alumnus

Kayla Malone, Cohort 36 Student

Luke Muratore, Cohort 37 Student

Jessica Roffe, QUEST Assistant Director