Wed, 04/08/2026 - 12:00

With its tree-lined sidewalks, carpet-like quads and manicured flowerbeds, the archetypical college campus isn’t thirsty for scenery. But its scenery is thirsty all the time, gulping millions of gallons of water a year to keep up appearances. A pitch for a modular vegetation wall that could keep universities (and other properties) lush through rain- and gray water harvesting, filtering and storage was one of two concepts to take the top prize this year at ArchiNova, the annual “Shark Tank”-style ideas competition for University of Maryland architecture students. 

Thu, 04/02/2026 - 12:00

Written by Katherine ShaverThe thousands of children and their families planning to descend on the White House grounds on Monday for the annual Easter Egg Roll will find plenty of brightly colored eggs—and become part of a University of Maryland alum’s running history of the 148-year-old spring tradition.

Wed, 04/01/2026 - 12:00

University of Maryland National Center for Smart Growth Director Kathryn Howell has earned a 2026 Best Article in the Journal of Urban Affairs Award for her paper, “A data feminist approach to urban data practice: Tenant power through eviction data,” one of two papers recognized nationally for its outstanding contribution to the field of urban affairs.

Wed, 04/01/2026 - 12:00

Environmental Finance Center Director Jennifer Cotting was one of a dozen researchers and scholars honored by the University of Maryland on March 12 for research leadership and impact at the Maryland Research Excellence Celebration.

Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:00

Written by Katherine ShaverCommissioned by President George Washington to design the new nation’s capital, Pierre Charles L’Enfant initially proposed a massive “President’s Palace” surrounded by sprawling grounds—an imposing complex four times the size of today’s White House property.It didn’t take long for Washington and others to realize the poor optics of a “palace” for a democratic republic that had just fought off a British king. The scaled-back building that opened in 1800 was renamed the “President’s House.”

Fri, 03/13/2026 - 12:00

During her term as associate dean of academic affairs, Professor Madlen Simon saw first hand the financial challenges that students navigate on their path to a college degree. But it was a routine phone call in 2020 to a student who hadn’t registered for classes that demonstrated just how quickly they can lose their footing. 

Fri, 03/13/2026 - 12:00

A proposal for modular, living-learning “innovation villages” on the northeast corner of University of Maryland’s campus cemented a victory for two University of Maryland undergraduates in a national design contest.