--- title: January 2021 date: 2021-01-01T00:00:00-05:00 author: Lauren Stephenson canonical_url: "https://govrelations.umd.edu/news/january-2021" section: News --- # January 2021 *January 1, 2021* — by Lauren Stephenson > January 2021 *4 UMD trailblazers* **University of Maryland Honors Campus Trailblazers with Naming of New Residence Halls** Johnson-Whittle Hall will honor Elaine Johnson Coates, the first African American woman to graduate with an undergraduate degree and Hiram Whittle, the first African American man to be admitted to the university. Pyon-Chen Hall, will pay tribute to Pyon Su, the first Korean student to receive a degree from the Maryland Agricultural College and Chunjen Constant Chen, the first Chinese student to enroll at the college. - [Read more about UMD trailblazers and namesakes for residence halls](https://today.umd.edu/articles/new-residence-halls-be-named-trailblazers-d0a3279c-b607-4a5b-a2ff-59ded2687f73) --- *student looking at calculator* **University of Maryland Pilots Calculus Course for Prince George's Students** Fifty students from demographically diverse schools are enrolled in the class, taught by a College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) faculty member and coordinated by the College of Education. A collaboration with PGCPS, the calculus course is fully funded by the UMD Office of the President. - [Read more about a calculus course for high school students](https://today.umd.edu/articles/umd-pilots-calculus-course-prince-georges-students-81d9d5fe-d9a7-4107-8fc0-6aad2d60792c) *2 football players holding a Jordan McNair jersey* **University of Maryland Announces Partnership with Jordan McNair Foundation** The University of Maryland and Jordan McNair Foundation are joining together on a series of initiatives to honor the life and legacy of Maryland football player, Jordan McNair, who passed away in 2018. The partnership will focus on student athlete health and safety and cover important topics such as heat exertion, concussions, mental health and nutrition. - [Read more about an important UMD partnership](https://today.umd.edu/articles/umd-announces-partnership-jordan-mcnair-foundation-f63f3a1b-26f3-4fda-ac5a-aae3c1980838) --- **Highlights** *UMD gate* **University of Maryland Stands With Collins Family After Urbanski Sentencing:** It has been more than three and a half years since the life of 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III was senselessly taken on our campus. As a community, we remain deeply affected by the tragic loss. On January 14, 2021, Sean Urbanski, a former UMD student, was sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Lt. Collins. Our hearts are with the Collins family and we will continue to work together through the Social Justice Alliance. - [Read UMD's response to Urbanski sentencing](https://today.umd.edu/articles/pines-umd-campus-stands-collins-family-after-urbanski-sentencing-1373b030-f2ff-496c-8d27-3d933f53bc39) *student on UMD campus* **UMD Student Group Provides Funds for Students in Need:** The University of Maryland Student Government Association has allocated more than $400,000 for "critical services" to support students in need. - [Read more about a new student fund](https://www.marylandmatters.org/blog/umd-student-group-provides-funds-for-students-in-need/) *student giving thumbs up* **Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council Funds Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program at the University of Maryland:** The Council awarded $100,000 to the University of Maryland Center for Transition and Career Innovation (CTCI) to create "Terps-EXCEED," an inclusive higher education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. - [Read about a new education program at UMD](https://www.umdrightnow.umd.edu/news/maryland-developmental-disabilities-council-funds-inclusive-postsecondary-education-program) *illustration of hands holding a cell phone* **Computer Science and Psychiatry Unite to Improve Behavioral Telehealth Services:** Funded this fall by a COVID-inspired seed grant from the joint UMD-UMB MPowering the State initiative, new research is seeking to break down that electronic divide with artificial intelligence-based tools. - [Read about new telehealth services](https://today.umd.edu/articles/new-meaning-mental-health-screening-ed611623-f53e-47b4-b689-5ece6f6a7e52) *Mary Ann Rankin* **Provost Rankin to Step Down:** Senior Vice President and Provost Mary Ann Rankin has resigned after eight years at UMD, effective January 29. Her accomplishments include expanded learning opportunities, new facilities and administrative modernization. Dr. Ann G. Wylie, professor emerita of geology, has agreed to serve as interim provost during this time of transition. - [Read more about Provost Rankin's resignation](https://today.umd.edu/articles/provost-rankin-step-down-001ceb4b-f3a9-47f1-9ffa-a0d322d6f8bf) --- **Research Impact** *National Academy of Inventors logo* **National Academy of Inventors Names University of Maryland Vice President for Research and a University Professor as 2020 Fellows:** Laurie Locascio, Vice President for Research at the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and Ramalingam "Rama" Chellappa, College Park Professor at UMD have been elected 2020 Fellows by the National Academy of Inventors. - [Read about the 2020 NAI fellows](https://www.umdrightnow.umd.edu/news/national-academy-inventors-names-university-maryland-vice-president-research-and-university) *research students* **14 Mtech-Affiliated Companies Named to List of 20 Most Innovative Start-ups:** Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) programs have assisted 14 of the companies named to Maryland's Future 20, a recent list of innovative startups from various industries that have the potential to be the state's next major business success story. - [Read more about start-ups at UMD](https://eng.umd.edu/news/story/14-mtechaffiliated-companies-named-to-marylandrsquos-list-of-20-hottest-innovative-startups) **Alumni Spotlight** **The Passing of Former Maryland Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr.** The University of Maryland community mourns the death of Maryland Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr., the longest-serving state senate president in the history of the United States and a visionary leader and tireless advocate for the university. In June, the university commemorated his contribution to campus with the naming of the main administration building in his honor. --- **Fearless Ideas** [UMD Virtual Winter 2020 Commencement Ceremony](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YjHaFOUiA8)