Alumni Newsletter Summer 2017

INSIDE THE SHELL A N E W S L E T T E R E XC LU S I V E LY F O R U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A RY L A N D A LU M N I A S S O C I AT I O N M E M B E R S

SPRING 2017

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VOLUME 1

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ISSUE N°2

Never Forget Where We Came From: Jason H. Williams ’66

SAMUEL RIGGS IV ALUMNI CENTER 7801 ALUMNI DRIVE, COLLEGE PARK, MD 20742-1521 800.336.8627 | ALUMNI.UMD.EDU

LET TER FROM THE PRESIDENT i t ’s h a r d t o be l i e v e

that May was my final commencement as the president of the University of Maryland Alumni Association Board of Governors. My proudest moments as president have always been at commencement, where I am reminded of why we volunteer our time, talent and treasures to the university— for our amazing students.

I’m so proud of how this association has grown and evolved during my eight-year tenure on the board. We endured a recession and limited staffing, made the transition to the Big Ten Conference, doubled the number of scholarships awarded and have built a strong, focused organization. We have improved collaboration between the Alumni Association and schools on campus, leading to even more opportunities for alumni to directly impact the lives of current students. Our scholarship initiative, for example, is transforming the student experience for many students who otherwise would work multiple jobs to pay for school. These students can now focus on their education, be it taking an extra course or participating in a community service project. Together we are supporting the next generation of Fearless Terps.

As my tenure comes to an end, it is my hope that the Alumni Association will carry this momentum forward and become comparable to that of our Big Ten members. While other members may have older alumni associations, I know their heart is not bigger than that of Maryland alumni.

Thank you for being a part of Maryland’s legacy, and I look forward to staying connected with you all through the Alumni Association in the years to come.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ALUMNI AND STUDENTS

STAY CONN ECT E

MEET LAUREN NORRIS ’11, MBA ’16, our new

director of student and recent graduate programming. A proud alumna, Lauren is building a stellar program that introduces current students to the Alumni Association.

Q: Why did you choose this position at the Alumni Association and why do you like working here?

A: While completing my master’s degree at Maryland, I interned

THE LOVE BLANKET PROJEC PROVIDES BLANKETS TO ADUL ILLNESS. VOLUNTEERS AT MA CARDS TO ACCOMPANY THE B

with the Alumni Association and came to love the people and the work that’s being done here. With my background in higher education and student life, it was a perfect fit.

Q: How do you believe your work with students will influence their decision to join the Alumni Association post-graduation?

A: We know that our students love cause-based giving, so we are showing them how their future membership will create scholarships, engagement opportunities and much more. I think that’s why our recent Transform the Student Experience campaign has been so successful; new members really understand the immediate impact of their membership.

Q: Why should students connect with the Alumni Association?

A: I think when you say yes to Maryland, you are saying yes to the deep, rich tradition not only on campus but nationally and globally. If we are able to connect students with alumni who

HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS HOSPITALS AS PART OF THE A FESTIVITIES AT DO GOOD PLA

are changing the world, and alumni with other alumni, we are creating a network of Terps to carry on that tradition.

With Gratitude, Q: What is your favorite part of working with students?

A: Their energy and proactivity; it is amazing how quickly they get things done! For example, we executed the first-ever I UMD week leading up to Maryland Day. This is a week full of activities that mirrors Homecoming, and the planning committee

Wanda A. Alexander ’81 President, University of Maryland Alumni Association Board of Governors

put everything together in just a few weeks. Maryland students are brilliant and efficient!

ALUMNI AND THEIR FAMILIE AT THE XFINITY CENTER BEFO MINNESOTA 93-60 ON FEB. 26 BASKETBALL PREGAME.

Q: Being an alum, what is your favorite memory from campus?

A: Definitely beating Duke in the Gold Rush Game in 2010. There

C ALENDA R

was nothing like rushing the court to celebrate the victory!

Q: What are some of the current traditions on campus

S AV E T H E D AT E : O C T. 2 8 HOMECOMING f e a t u r i n g t h e L i f e M e m b e r Wa l l U nv e i l i n g

for students?

A: Terps are passionate and creative, and with that, the Do Good Challenge has become a great tradition on campus. There’s a huge buzz around it, and with the Do Good Institute we will

Join fellow Terps as the football team takes on Indiana.

The Alumni Association will also engrave the names of more than 800 new lifetime members on the Eric S. and Frann G. Francis Lifetime Member Wall.

become the first Do Good Campus in the nation. But don’t worry—many traditions have stood the test of time, like rubbing Testudo’s nose for good luck or the always-tense Johns Hopkins lacrosse game!

FIND MORE UPCOMING EVENTS AT ALUMNI.UMD.EDU.

LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDENT PROGRAMMING AT ALUMNI.UMD.EDU/STUDENTS.

MARVIN SCHLENOFF ‘68 (FA

BEN EFITS

ED

CT, FOUNDED BY ROBIN CHIDDO ‘06, LTS AND CHILDREN LIVING WITH ARYLAND DAY WROTE PERSONAL BLANKETS.

T R AV E L W I T H T E R P S I N 2 0 1 8 JEFFREY MAGID ‘13 AND ALISON PASTOR ‘14 ARRIVED TO MEMBER NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK ON MAY 11 DECKED OUT IN THEIR TERPS GEAR.

Looking for a new adventure? See the world with fellow Terps through the Alumni Association's travel program. It offers a variety of international and domestic trips that provide a oncein-a-lifetime experience.

Visit alumni.umd.edu/travel or call Angela Dimopoulos at 301.305.7938 to learn more.

SAMUEL RIGGS IV ALUMNI CENTER Did you know as a member of the Alumni Association you receive special rates when hosting your event at the Alumni Center?

Host your birthday party, tailgate, wedding or business meeting and take advantage of special members-only rates.

S BUNDLED BLANKETS TO DONATE TO LOCAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION’S MARYLAND DAY ZA ON APRIL 29.

ES ENJOYED A PREGAME RECEPTION ORE WATCHING THE TERPS BEAT 6 FOR THE MEMBER APPRECIATION

Contact us for more information: 301.405.9756 | www.riggs.umd.edu

TERP DEALS

BRANDON COLE ‘01, TAYLOR COLE ‘05 AND FUTURE TERP KELLEN COLE SHOWED THEIR MARYLAND PRIDE DURING THE MEMBER PICNIC AT NATIONALS PARK ON MAY 11.

AR RIGHT) BROUGHT HIS FAMILY TO JOIN IN THE PREGAME CELEBRATION.

Members of the Alumni Association can enjoy 15% off Route One Apparel ordered through Terp Deals, your online benefits platform. Score yourself some Maryland gear to rock the next time you’re at a network event, in College Park for a game or just hanging around town!

While you are there, check out some of the other deals exclusive to Alumni Association members both on campus and nationwide. alumni.umd.edu/terpdeals FIND MORE MEMBER BENEFITS AT ALUMNI.UMD.EDU.

The Official Insurance Provider of the University of Maryland Alumni Association.

SAMUEL RIGGS IV ALUMNI CENTER 7801 ALUMNI DRIVE, COLLEGE PARK, MD 20742-1521

University of Maryland Alumni Association members transform the student experience by contributing to student scholarships with their membership dues.

From February to April, our alumni joined, renewed or upgraded their membership to support the next generation of hardworking Terps.

new or renewed memberships additional dollars toward student scholarships in Alumni Association scholarships awarded this year scholarship recipients for the 2017–18 academic year