The University of Maryland (UMD) is filled with a rich history marked by academic top performance, creative thinking, and strong ties with the community. It shines as a key public research institute, churning out many graduates who change the world.1 These accomplished people include not just seasoned academics and inventive minds, but also entrepreneurs and those working in public service. They have made their mark globally. This piece will journey through the UMD’s history, honoring the courageous, forward-looking, and exceptional members of the Terp family. They’ve influenced the university in the past and continue to light the way to its future success.
Key Takeaways
- The University of Maryland has a rich history of academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
- UMD alumni have made remarkable contributions in various fields, from academia to entrepreneurship.
- The article celebrates the trailblazers, visionaries, and outstanding members of the Terp community who have shaped UMD’s past and future.
- The university’s legacy is one of unparalleled excellence, with a vibrant alumni network and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
- UMD’s 50th-anniversary celebration of the Department of Computer Science highlighted the significant contributions of former department chairs and new inductees into the Alumni Hall of Fame.
Trailblazers and Visionaries: The Pillars of UMD Maryland
The University of Maryland has had great leaders in its UMD department chairs and professors. These leaders have guided the university’s path for many years. At the recent 50th celebration of the Computer Science Department, the school highlighted five former chairs. Victor Basili, Larry Davis, Samir Khuller, Jack Minker, and Satish Tripathi were named “Pillars of Computer Science.” They were recognized for their huge impact on their department.2
Honoring Former Department Chairs
These academic leaders have been key in raising Maryland University’s reputation. They display the school’s dedication to its distinguished alumni and storied past. Their forward-thinking and creative methods have influenced students and staff for years, shaping the university’s future.3
Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
Maryland University is also proud of its UMD alumni hall of fame. These distinguished alumni have excelled in their fields, showing the university’s dedication to academic excellence. Their work reflects the university’s mission to produce influential leaders.3
| Inductee | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Erika Moore | Named a 2024 TED Fellow for her work in sustainable energy solutions |
| Bill Koffel | Leads the online undergraduate program in Fire Protection Engineering at UMD |
| Jenna Mueller | Received an NSF CAREER Award for her research on technologies for cervical dysplasia |
These UMD alumni showcase Maryland University’s values of innovation, leadership, and service. They are an inspiration for all Terps, encouraging them to reach for the highest goals.3
Fostering a Sense of Community: UMD Maryland’s Alumni Network
The University of Maryland’s alumni network is key in uniting a community and honoring the successes of its members.4 With about 400,000 alumni, this network creates many chances for unity and support among Terps.4 It’s helped by the Terp Business Directory, a tool that promotes alumni-owned businesses. This also boosts community spirit and growth together.4
Alumni Excellence Awards: Recognizing Outstanding Terps
Through the Alumni Excellence Awards, the school highlights exceptional achievements by alumni.4 Awards like the Rising Terp, Research, EnTERPreneur, and Legacy recognize dedication and innovation.4 They inspire all Terps to aim for the best.
Connecting Through Shared Experiences
5 Alumni Industry Networks offer a way for graduates to connect by job sector. This includes areas like Arts, Business, Education, and Technology.5 They help alumni network and grow within their specific fields, building a tight-knit community.
5 The Alumni Association also provides learning opportunities for career success.5 Terrapins Connect helps alumni from all streams connect and find collaboration chances. This strengthens the Terp network further.
| Demographic | Volunteer Leaders (As of January 2022) |
Alumni Population (As of January 2022) |
Student Population (As of Fall 2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian or Pacific Islander | 10.7% | 11.8% | 20.3% |
| Black | 14.6% | 6.9% | 11.8% |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 3.7% | 10.2% |
| Native American | 0% | 0.5% | 0.2% |
| White | 50.6% | 44.1% | 45% |
| Unknown | 17.5% | 33.1% | 9.1% |
6 The Alumni Association actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Terp family.6 They’ve set up a special DEI Task Force to lead efforts like creating a new DEI Commitment statement and resources. Their goal is to present three new DEI programs annually.6
6 They also run events to spotlight minority-owned businesses. For example, Black Terp-owned businesses are celebrated during Black Business Month. The #TerpBusiness campaigns continue to support these businesses.6 The Association provides resources for promoting a diverse and inclusive environment.6
6 There’s a chance for all alumni to join specific networks, like the Black, Latinx, and Asian Pacific American Alumni Networks. This helps everyone feel connected and at home within the Terp community.6
The Future is Bright: UMD Maryland’s Commitment to Innovation
University of Maryland is dedicated to developing next-gen leaders, innovators, and change-makers. They do this through a strong scholarship program. This effort allows students known as Terps to grow, both personally and academically, with financial support.
For the 2024-2025 school year, Alumni Association will give out $75,000 in scholarships. Each of the 15 scholarships is worth $5,000. They look for students who excel in their studies, lead on campus, help the community, and show strong school spirit. This is7 great news for the university and its students.
Student Scholarship Opportunities
The University of Maryland is fully committed to helping Terps advance. They use innovative programs and focused efforts to help students reach their goals. By offering many scholarship opportunities, the university ensures students have what they need to succeed. This leads to greater investments in education and more innovations at UMD.
UMD Maryland: Nurturing Excellence
As UMD works to improve and offers scholarships, it stands firm in its commitments. Key programs, like the $30 million Grand Challenges Grants, and strategic plans, such as Fearlessly Forward, aim to solve big issues. This dedication to students and investing in education keeps UMD at the top. It showcases UMD as a center of innovation in Maryland and beyond.
Conclusion
The University of Maryland has a rich history of excellence and innovation. It’s known for its top-notch faculty, brilliant alumni, and lively student community. UMD is a breeding ground for leaders who are changing the world.8
It offers more than 200 degree programs and has over $1.1 billion in research funding. This puts it at the forefront of innovation, ranked highly by the National Science Foundation. UMD is all about community, offering over 700 student groups and unique programs like Scholars. Most scholars get internships, helping them in their future careers.9
This university is constantly striving to be on the cutting edge of education. It’s evident in its support for students and their success. UMD is looking to the future with optimism. It sees endless opportunities for its community to grow, discover, and make a difference.8910
FAQ
What is the rich history of academic excellence and innovation at the University of Maryland (UMD)?
Who are the “Pillars of Computer Science” at UMD, and how have they shaped the institution’s trajectory?
How does the UMD Alumni Excellence Awards program recognize the achievements of Terps?
What is the University of Maryland’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators?
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Source Links
- https://www.cs.umd.edu/article/2023/10/celebrating-50-years-excellence-remarkable-journey-computer-science
- https://eng.umd.edu/clark/faculty/1726/Son-T-Le
- https://eng.umd.edu/clark/faculty/167/Lan-Ma
- https://alumni.umd.edu/networks/entrepreneurs
- https://alumni.umd.edu/networks/industry
- https://alumni.umd.edu/about/dei-commitment
- https://umcpf.umd.edu/board-trustees/board-chair
- https://policies.umd.edu/academic-affairs/university-of-maryland-code-of-academic-integrity
- https://www.terrapinrow.com/10-compelling-reasons-umd-stands-out/
- https://gradschool.umd.edu/sites/default/files/2023-07/etd_style_guide_2021_v2.pdf
