The Alumni Excellence Awards
About the Awards
Graduates of the University of Maryland are among the best and brightest in their fields. From scholars and innovators to entrepreneurs, teachers and researchers, our alumni are leaving their mark on our state, nation and world. The Alumni Excellence Awards recognize the accomplishments of select Terps and honor these recipients with distinction. Click here to learn more about the nomination and selection process.
Rising Terp Award
Honors an alumnus/a under 30 years old who has distinguished themselves personally and professionally. Up to three Rising Terp Awards will be granted annually, celebrating a Terp/s who excel in their career and inspire the next generation of Terp leaders.
2022 Honorees

Audrey Awasom ‘18
Founder, Noble Uprising
Awasom's nonprofit serves women experiencing homelessness, poverty and overall hardship.
Read More about Audrey Awasom

Matthew Hollister ‘18
Chairman and CEO, James Hollister Wellness Foundation; Co-Founder, Save Pharmaceutical
Hollister's foundation collects and sends donated medications to low-income countries. His new venture will match facilities with a pharmaceutical surplus to clinics in need.
Read More about Matthew Hollister

Akash Magoon ‘18
Co-Founder, Nayya
A computer science alum, Magoon co-founded Nayya to help employees choose and enroll in health benefits and then engage with their health plans.
Read More about Akash Magoon
Research Award
Honors an alumnus/a whose research has made a significant impact on the university, the state and/or the nation. Up to three Research Awards will be granted, celebrating a Terp/s whose research is transformational.
2022 Honorees

Faez Ahmed Ph.D. ‘19
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Director, Design Computation & Digital Engineering Lab
Through his research on machine learning and engineering design, Ahmed hopes to improve product design and quality, and as a result, human efficiency.
Read More about Faez Ahmed

Bridget T. Kelly M.A. ‘96, Ph.D. ‘01
Associate Professor, Diversity Officer and Chair of The Council on Racial Equity and Justice, UMD College of Education
An advocate for equity, Kelly and her research have helped educators across the country understand the experiences of women and people of color in higher education.
Read More about Bridget T. Kelly

Dr. Kathleen Maletic Neuzil ‘83
Myron M. Levine, M.D., DTPH, Professor in Vaccinology; Director of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health; Chief, Division of Geographic Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Neuzil, one of the world's leading research scientists in vaccine development and policy, was instrumental in developing and testing COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.
Read More about Dr. Kathleen Maletic Neuzil
EnTERPrenuer Award
Honors an entrepreneurial alumnus/a whose company has made a significant impact on the university, the state and/or the nation. Up to three EnTERPreneur Awards will be granted annually, celebrating a Terp/s who has started a business that is fearlessly disrupting its industry.
2022 Honorees

David C. Quattrone MBA ‘05
Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Cvent
Under Quattrone's direction, Cvent has become a leading provider of meeting, event and hospitality technology for more than 23,000 customers worldwide.
Read More about David C. Quattrone

Lauren Foundos ‘06
Founder and CEO, Fortë
Foundos left a successful career as a bond trader to launch a streaming service that puts subscribers virtually in classes with instructors in gyms around the world.
Read More about Lauren Foundos
Legacy Award
Honors an alumnus/a who has made a significant impact to their community over their lifetime. Up to three Legacy Awards will be granted annually, celebrating the personal and professional lifetime achievement of Terps.
2022 Honorees


John C. Ford ‘64 and Sandra Sollod Poster ‘64
Owner, John C. Ford Associates; Communications Consultant
These two communications professionals have served as ambassadors for the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and funded two dance scholarships.
Read More about John C. Ford and Sandra Sollod Poster

Rita B. Leahy Ph.D. ‘89
Asphalt Technology Authority
Through her service on UMD's Graduate School Doctoral Careers Advisory Board, and as founder of a speaker series established in her name, Leahy has helped doctoral students understand career options.
Read More about Rita B. Leahy

Jonathan Claiborne ‘77
Retired Partner, Whiteford Taylor Preston
The former Terps football safety has served as president of UMD's previous Young Alumni Organization and the M Club and supported the university's Incentive Awards Program.
Read More about Jonathan Claiborne