UMD Creates New Undergraduate Minors in Real Estate Development and Construction Management ksuddith Tue, 06/02/2026 - 14:11 John Calvin and President Wallace Loh sign Letter of Agreement for new minors. School of Architecture, Planning & PreservationReal Estate DevelopmentThe University of Maryland has announced the establishment of two new undergraduate minors, one in real estate development and one in construction management. Generously funded by the Colvin Family Foundation, the new minors will offer foundational knowledge in community building, entrepreneurship, business development, sustainable construction and design through experiential learning and a professionally guided curriculum, forwarding the University’s continued mission to support student innovation and entrepreneurship.“The kind of responsibility we have as a land grant institution is reflected in the values of John and Karen Colvin and the Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development,” said University President Wallace Loh at the signing of the Letter of Agreement yesterday at the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. “We are very fortunate to celebrate this magnificent gift from the Colvin’s that will expand this program to undergraduates.”“This is an incredible opportunity for undergraduates across the whole university,” said Provost Mary Ann Rankin. “This new program is precisely in line with our University’s mission: to involve our students in real-world problems and educate them in multidisciplinary challenges so that they can actively address the problems the world faces.”The interdisciplinary minors will be jointly administered by the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and the A. James Clarke School of Engineering. Available to undergraduate students campus-wide, the minors will offer a mix of existing and new coursework to match and anticipate industry trends. Margaret McFarland, the director of the Colvin Institute for Real Estate Development and the University’s Master of Real Estate Development Program, and Chuck Schwartz, Chair of Environmental and Civil Engineering, anticipate the first courses will be available by fall 2015.The Colvin Family Foundation, under the guidance of John and Karen Colvin, has pledged $1,000,000 to support the initiative. The University anticipates the new gift will not just support the new minors, but seed the study for a future undergraduate major in Real Estate Development.“Real Estate Development might be the most entrepreneurial enterprise that there is in this country,” said John Colvin. “To me, it is critical to keep the barriers to entry in this industry to a minimum, so that future graduates of this program will be able to get their degree and, if they chose to, be in the business the next day. That’s the real importance of what we’re about to do; to foster that entrepreneurial spirit and train the developers of the future to be prepared to recognize and seize those opportunities when they come.”In 2007, John and Karen Colvin provided the endowment for The Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development, an initiative that helped start UMD’s Master of Real Estate Development Program. They are dedicated supporters of both the school and its students, and passionate about education. John Colvin is an alumnus of the University and a principal owner of Questar Properties.“This is an incredible moment in our school’s history,” said David Cronrath, Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. “John and Karen’s gift will continue our mission to deliver a holistic education in sustainable, innovative practice—no matter the discipline—to the future stewards of this country.”Thu, 05/23/2019 - 12:00

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HAHarvey Walden

5 days ago

UMD Media Director Receives Faculty Excellence Award from OMSE

Media Program Director Receives Faculty Excellence in Service Award from OMSE krhone Mon, 05/18/2026 - 15:58 Program NewsMedia, Self and Society NewsMedia, Self and Society program director and Merrill School of Journalism lecturer Alison Burns was named the 2026 faculty winner of the Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education's (OMSE) Excellence in Service Award at the office's annual Academy of Excellence spring awards ceremony.Each year, OMSE recognizes faculty, staff, tutors, and mentors who have made outstanding contributions to advancing the overall excellence of UMD students on campus.Burns was nominated by student Danny Chung-A-Fung, a member of the OMSE College Success Scholars program. He recognized Burns for giving her time to students and community activities, being an inspiring role model, and making a positive impact on the lives of our students. The nomination highlighted her work leading the Media Scholars program and our Digital Storytelling Camp, as well as her mentorship.May 15, 2026

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HAHarvey Walden

5 days ago

JTCC Celebrates Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony

Ten JTCC graduates in attendance were dressed to impress in front of the more than 100 proud parents, families, alumni, and friends who gathered at JTCC for the May 27 graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026. This year’s class also included nine additional graduates who were unable to attend. The group joined more than 350 other successful alumni. Special guest speaker Max Hjelm, the Executive Vice President of Strategic Deals at CoreWeaveMax and NCAA Division III All-American lacrosse player, addressed the graduates and encouraged them to “take the opportunity to bet on yourself and do the hard work to see it through.” Sasha Koeva Brooks, who will be attending The University of Chicago, spoke on behalf of the graduating class, and following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed dinner courtesy of Paisano’s Pizza. The new alumni received their diplomas and portraits which will be hung along the JTCC Ray & Nina Benton Walk of Fame hallway. Yared Alfred – Howard University Amir Carter – Gap Year Connor Chun – Swarthmore College Aerin Fenty – University of Miami Shaun Fernando – Carnegie Mellon University Sienna Gala – University of Maryland Cody Gray – Louisiana State University Mia Hall – Entering Workforce Austin He – Johns Hopkins University Jacob Hewitt – Southern Methodist University Savannah Jackson – Temple University Alexandra Koeva Brooks – University of Chicago Minato Koido – Denison University Matthew Kringer – Gap Year Aqeela Malik – Gap Year Ryan Newton – Gap Year Pavlik Nikitine – Gettysburg College Chinaza Otuya – Gap Year Michael Spruill – Frostburg State University Congratulations to the Class of ‘26, and good luck in your future endeavors! Click here to see the full photo catalog from HD Photography. The post JTCC Salutes Class of 2026 appeared first on Junior Tennis Champions Center.

Community Remembrances

JTCC Celebrates National Adaptive Sport Day

2 weeks ago

"Players from JTCC Junior Champs, Champs I, Champs II, and Full-Time Champs programs tried wheelchair tennis for the first time in honor of National Adaptive Sport Day on April 28. High-level Para Standing athlete Kemit Amon-Lewis was also on court, demonstrating to the group the Para Standing discipline for athletes with physical disabilities who play standing. After representing Para Standing Tennis at the Australian Open All Abilities Day earlier this year, Amon-Lewis brought an elite presence to the day promoting inclusion for all. National Adaptive Sport Day recognizes the anniversary of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the legacy of disability rights trailblazers Judy Heumann and Eli Wolff. Organized by Move United, it is a national call to action — nearly 1 in 5 Americans live with a disability yet remain among the most underrepresented in sport. At JTCC, representation is a priority. Home to nationally recognized Adaptive Tennis programs, JTCC offers Wheelchair Tennis, Para Standing Tennis, Special Olympics Tennis, and Veterans Tennis — because “Tennis For Everybody” means exactly that. The post JTCC Celebrates National Adaptive Sport Day appeared first on Junior Tennis Champions Center."

Champions Celebration Raises Record $630,000 for JTCC

2 weeks ago

"JTCC’s annual Champions Celebration presented by Life by Dallas True Pop Popcorn raised a record-breaking $630,000 on April 16 to support the organization’s mission of making tennis accessible to players of all backgrounds and abilities throughout the Washington metropolitan area. More than 450 supporters enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres during the pre-dinner reception while reconnecting with fellow supporters and alumni and celebrating honorees Ray Benton and Denis Kudla for their lasting impact on JTCC. In addition to inspiring remarks from the honorees, speakers included Darryl Barnes, Aisha Braveboy, Dr. Renette Dallas, host Brett Haber, Alyssa Tormala, Vesa Ponkka, Martin Blackman, Donald Dell, and Tom McMillen. Five members of the JTCC community were recognized for outstanding achievement: Student of the Year Yared Alfred, Alumna of the Year Tyler Delaney, Larry Hilliard (Community Member of the Year), Mark Santangelo (Partner Educator Award), and Lola Looney (Keith Robert Larson Scholarship Fund recipient). Click below to view pictures and videos from the evening. Photos I Denis Kudla honoree video I Ray Benton honoree video The post Champions Celebration Raises Record $630,000 appeared first on Junior Tennis Champions Center."

Kibel Gallery Spring Opening Announced

3 weeks ago

"Save the Date: Kibel Gallery Spring Opening jdakovic Thu, 05/21/2026 - 13:01 5 - 6 p.m.More details to come Fri, 09/25/2026 - 12:00 Fri, 09/25/2026 - 12:00"

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