Story By Mark Walden
Photography by Clark Vandergrift

Before becoming a Hollywood icon, Marion Morrison changed his name to John Wayne, and who could blame him? On the small screen, no one remembers Mendel Berlinger but Milton Berle will always be Mr. TV.

A name change might be necessary to win an Oscar or an Emmy but achievement alone, not appellation, determines who will win one of the University of Maryland Alumni Association’s distinguished alumni awards.

On April 17, 2004, the alumni association recognized six award recipients and 12 college/school distinguished alumni on the fifth anniversary of its annual awards gala. Twenty extraordinary awardees, including journalists, scientists, educators, policy-makers and business leaders, received the praise of a proud alma mater at the sold-out event.

Like the Oscars and the Emmys, distinguished alumni awards are presented to individuals who have given master performances in their fields. And like Hollywood’s award ceremonies, the association gala dazzles. Until five years ago, the University of Maryland Alumni Association honored its distinguished alumni in separate ceremonies. The result was a series of small gatherings, rather than the grand commemoration that each awardee deserved.

“Television and film each honor their own on a single magnificent night. We needed one outstanding event bringing together Maryland’s shining stars and celebrating their Terrapin spirit,” says Danita Nias ’81, executive director of alumni relations. TERP

LEFT TO RIGHT John Brooks ’70, Visionary Veterinarian; Ruth Davis ’52 M.A., ’55 Ph.D., Pioneering Scientist; Jeffrey and Lily Chen, Science Supporters; Kevin Plank ’97, Sports Apparel Entrepreneur; Linda Alexander ’88 Ph.D., Women’s Health Advocate; Charles Fefferman ’66, ’79 Honorary Ph.D., Fields Medal Winner; Jane McCarl ’52, Devoted Terp; Gina Kolata ’69, ’73 M.A., Award-Winning Author; Norris Krone Jr. ’55, ’74 Ph.D., Aviation Innovator; Susan Fifer Canby ’74 M.L.S., High-Tech Information Manager; Peter Shapiro ’94, Publi c Service Leader; Richard Stimpson, University Student Advocate.

LEFT TO RIGHT: DeWayne Wickham ’74, Nationally Syndicated Columnist; Kori Schake ’87 M.P.M., ’89 M.A., ’96 Ph.D., White House Advisor; R. Paul Butler ’93 Ph.D., Far-Reaching Astronomer; David Goldfarb ’79, Fortune 500 Executive; Gail Berman-Masters ’78, FOX Network President; Edward Downey ’52, Consummate Entrepreneur. Not pictured: Rose Wiseman ’51 M.Ed., Lifelong Educator

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