News & Stories

It started with a laugh. Pramod Raheja ’91 was studying in UMD’s engineering library when peals of laughter rolled to his ears from the stacks. He ignored them at first, but then he heard laughter again multiple times in the weeks ahead. Frustrated, he decided to find the source.

Welcome to the Friday Five, a roundup of the best your Alumni Association and other UMD communities have to offer. From the latest events to fun facts, here are essentials in five categories for you to check out this weekend.

At age 80, David Diehl ’74 is one of the top master swimmers in the nation.

When Zach Rubin ’12 wanted to start a business, he turned to books to learn how to tackle the ambitious endeavor.

Rita B. Leahy Ph.D. ’89

Asphalt technology authority, Graduate School Doctoral Careers Advisory Board member, founder of the annual Rita B. Leahy Doctoral Career Series

Through her service as a board member and a speaker series established in her name, Leahy has dedicated the past five years to helping doctoral students understand different career options.

Jonathan Claiborne ’77

Former UMD football safety, retired partner of Whiteford Taylor Preston

Since graduating, Claiborne has served as president of UMD’s former Young Alumni Organization and the M Club and funded the university’s Incentive Awards Program.

Longtime supporters of the School of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies (TDPS) 

Former radio and television students, Ford and Poster are ambassadors for TDPS and have funded two dance scholarships to help students pursue their education at UMD.

David C. Quattrone MBA ’05

Co-founder and chief technology officer, Cvent

Under Quattrone’s direction, Cvent has become a leading meetings, events and hospitality technology provider with nearly 4,000 employees and more than 23,000 customers worldwide.

Lauren Foundos ’06

Founder and CEO of Fortë

Foundos left a successful career as a bond trader to launch Fortë, which has revolutionized the fitness industry by helping gyms of all sizes create their own virtual fitness services.

Bridget T. Kelly, M.A. ’96, Ph.D. ’01

Associate professor, diversity officer and chair of Council on Racial Equity and Justice at the 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.