University of Maryland, College Park (UMD, UMCP)

UMD hearing and speech sciences lecturer Dr. Dominique Mwepu dies at 53

UMD hearing and speech sciences lecturer Dr. Dominique Mwepu dies at 53

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Dec. 28 (ZFJ) — Dr. Dominique Mwepu, 53, of Gaithersburg, Md., a lecturer for the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park, died on Sept. 30, 2024. The Montgomery County Police Department reported that he had been fatally struck by a car. “He was a beloved husband, father, friend, known for his incredible sense of humor, always quick with a joke and able to bring laughter to even the most difficult moments,” reads his obituary.
UMD announces annual fall break from 2025

UMD announces annual fall break from 2025

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Dec. 25 (ZFJ) — Students at the University of Maryland, College Park, will have an annual two-day fall break starting in the fall 2025 semester, announced President Darryll J. Pines in a campus wide email on Dec. 2. The break, the result of a “years-long effort,” will take place on the second Monday of each October—Indigenous People’s Day/Columbus Day—and Tuesday. Staff and faculty will observe Indigenous People’s Day/Columbus Day on the Monday of fall break.
UMD power outage affects heart of campus

UMD power outage affects heart of campus

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Nov. 25 (ZFJ) — A power outage is affecting University of Maryland, College Park, buildings around McKeldin Mall. A University of Maryland Police Department advisory sent out at 11:27 a.m. reports that Facilities Management is responding to a multiple building power outage. Classes in the following buildings were initially cancelled until at least 2:00 p.m. A later campuswide email sent at 2:37 p.m. announced that classes would not meet in the affected buildings for the rest of the day.
UMD pro-Palestinian protest proceeds peacefully on October 7

UMD pro-Palestinian protest proceeds peacefully on October 7

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 13 (ZFJ) — A vigil held by UMD Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on McKeldin Mall on Monday, Oct. 7, took place without incident. On Sept. 1, the University of Maryland, College Park, attempted to limit all demonstrations on campus on Oct. 7 after thousands of people wrote objecting to SJP’s permit to protest on that day. The significance of Oct. 7, 2023, is that it was the day when Hamas militants stormed into nearby Israeli towns from the blockaded Gaza Strip to kill and take hostage hundreds of civilians.
Federal judge orders UMD to allow October 7 demonstrations

Federal judge orders UMD to allow October 7 demonstrations

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 5 (ZFJ) — A federal judge ordered the University of Maryland, College Park, to allow UMD Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) to proceed with their demonstration on Monday, Oct. 7. On Sept. 1, after significant outcry over UMD granting a permit to SJP to use McKeldin Mall for an “interfaith vigil,” the university announced that demonstrations would be prohibited on campus on Oct. 7, and that a “university-sponsored Day of Dialogue” would be held instead.
Pedestrian fatally struck by car in Gaithersburg

Pedestrian fatally struck by car in Gaithersburg

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 5 (ZFJ) — Dr. Dominique Mwepu, 53, was fatally struck by a car on Monday, Sept. 30, according to the Montgomery County Police Department. At about 7:55 p.m., county police officers from the 5th district and fire rescue personnel responded to reports of a collision involving a blue Honda Prelude and a pedestrian at the intersection of Frederick Road and High Point Drive. Mwepu sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.
UMD limits demonstrations on Oct. 7 after controversy over planned pro-Palestinian protest

UMD limits demonstrations on Oct. 7 after controversy over planned pro-Palestinian protest

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Sept. 6 (ZFJ) — The University of Maryland, College Park, will not allow any student group protests on Oct. 7, 2024, following controversy over a pro-Palestinian protest planned for that date. The University System of Maryland said in a press release on Sunday, Sept. 1, that special campus events—those requiring approval or permitting—will be suspended only on Oct. 7 in favor of a “university-sponsored Day of Dialogue” to promote reflection instead.
Maryland cruises past UConn in season-opening football blowout

Maryland cruises past UConn in season-opening football blowout

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Sept. 1 (ZFJ) — The Maryland Terrapins cruised to a dominant 50-7 victory over the UConn Huskies at SECU Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31, coming together in a full offensive and defensive effort to begin the 2024 campaign on a high note. “Great team win, and great start to the 2024 season,” began Head Coach Michael Locksley during the team’s postgame press conference. “We were able to do it today with all three phases contributing to the win.