A look back at Maryland Day 2017

Sarah Joseph | April 30

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Come explore our world of Fearless Ideas and see all
that we do for our community, the state and the world.

Thats the University of Maryland (UMD) website welcome slogan for this
years Maryland Day event which took place yesterday. This annual tradition
is the universitys largest event, with dozens of tents set up on McKeldin Mall
and various other points around campus. For one Saturday a year, UMD
opens its campus to the outside community. Alumni return to their alma
mater with their spouses, kids and dogs to see how the University has
evolved.

Though the weather was warm at about 80 degrees, people kept cool in the
academic buildings that were hosting events.

Maryland Day featured a wide range of activities: science and technology

workshops to teach kids about climate change and robotics, agricultural
showcases displaying farm animals and beekeeping techniques, and sports-
related events like gymnastics and meet-and-greets with Maryland athletes.

Many took advantage of the attractions at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts
Center (CSPAC).
Outside the building, people participated in an interactive activity. For the
week leading up to Maryland Day, organizers constructed a Unity Project
installation, where participants were asked to use yarn to connect a few
concepts with which they identified. For example, options included the
following: I am a parent, I am the first in my family to go to college, I believe
in a higher power, etc. When enough of these strings overlapped, they
created a thick canopy, meant to symbolize both the commonalities and
differences of those involved.

Its cool that the Unity Project had people highlight their individual
differences, remarked Sarah-Leah Thompson, a sophomore studio art major.
Even though not everyone had the same things in common, the result was
this one big canopy.

Inside the CSPAC building, dozens of people sat on the stairs of the main
atrium listening to a late afternoon performance. Theater majors, classically
trained singers, serenaded the audience with a medley of showtunes and
other famous songs.

Ive actually been coming to Maryland Day since my sister was a student
here six years ago, said freshman English major Eitana Friedman-Nathan.
Seeing what Maryland has to offer is what made me want to be a student
here in the first place.

UMD hosts Maryland Day every spring semester.

# # #
Tornado strikes College Park, four killed, dozens injured
 Sarah Joseph | April 17

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A tornado struck College Park at 12:09 p.m. Monday
on the corner of Knox Road and Baltimore Avenue.

First responders have reported that four Knox Road residents have been
killed. Two dozen people have been transported to the emergency room in
Prince Georges County General Hospital.

Police are reporting heavy damage in downtown areas, including broken

windows, down power lines and fallen trees, Mayor Lara Hollenczer told
reporters.

Governor Larry Hogan has declared a state of emergency for the county and
city.

What that will do for us right now is well be able to pull first responders
from Montgomery County and Anne Arundel County once they know their
residents are safe, the mayor said.

Heavy thunderstorms continue to move throughout the College Park area

and more are predicted in the next two hours. The National Weather Service
has rated this storm as an EF3 (on the Fujita scale from EF1-EF5), indicating
severity. Half of College Parks residents are without power. The 911 call
center is running off backup generators. Public safety officials expect more
outages.

Several firefighters and two firetrucks are trapped due to the partial collapse
of Mowatt Lane Parking Garage. Across campus and in the general area,
many roads are impassible, making it difficult for first responders to reach
students who live in on-campus Commons apartments. University President
Dr. Wallace Loh is unavailable for comment.
Ritchie Coliseum on Route 1 is prepared to accept people seeking shelter.
However, as conditions outside are still dangerous, residents are advised to
only go to Ritchie Coliseum if they are not currently safe or sheltered.

The mayor urges residents to call 911 and evacuate if necessary, and to
remain sheltered indoors.

As per safety recommendations from the National Weather Service, residents

of the College Park area are encouraged to stay indoors away from windows,
in a basement if possible. Stay tuned for more updated information.

# # #