---
title: July 2020
date: 2020-10-30T00:00:00-04:00
author: Lauren Stephenson
canonical_url: "https://govrelations.umd.edu/news/july-2020"
section: News
---
# July 2020

*October 30, 2020* — by Lauren Stephenson
> July 2020

***Special Edition: Welcome President Pines!***

*Screenshot of video with President Pines, his wife, and dog*


**Pines to Prioritize Excellence, Inclusiveness**

In a video to mark his first day as the University of Maryland's new president, Darryll J. Pines outlined a pair of interlocking missions: to strengthen teaching and learning, research, innovation, the arts and athletics at UMD; and to create an inclusive, multicultural campus environment.

- [Watch the video of President Pines](https://today.umd.edu/pines-prioritize-excellence-inclusiveness-a143f9df-333c-4a68-a5a6-5b2bee71c3ea)


---

*President Pines*


**TerrapinSTRONG: A Message From President Pines**

President Pines' letter to the university urgently reminded everyone that we are all globally connected and, to address these great challenges, we must unite. On his first day as university president, he announced twelve initiatives and recommendations to reaffirm our commitment to our core mission and values, and to one another. They focused on improving the student experience, creating an inclusive environment and advancing the university.

- [Read a message from President Pines](https://president.umd.edu/articles/terrapinstrong)


*Screenshot of Today show interview with President Pines*


**Colleges Face Tough Decisions about Reopening in the Fall**

In an interview with NBC's Tom Costello, University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines shares an inside look into UMD's plans for a safe reopening, and the health precautions being taken all across campus as a part of the Today Show's series The New Normal.

- [Watch the video with President Pines](https://www.today.com/video/colleges-face-tough-decisions-about-reopening-in-the-fall-86606917746?playlist=mmlsnnd_todayarchiveswednesday)


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**Highlights**

*President Pines*


**Pop Quiz With the New President:** Darryll J. Pines takes the helm of the University of Maryland as its 34th president, following a 25-year career on campus as a faculty member, then dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering. The Glenn L. Martin Professor of Aerospace Engineering is well known as a nationally prominent voice for engineering education, a leader intent on diversifying his field, an advocate for the student experience, a successful fundraiser for the university and an accomplished researcher in his own right.

- [Take a pop quiz about President Pines](https://today.umd.edu/articles/pop-quiz-new-president-e950af7a-d64a-4c2b-b70f-bdb83fd81684)


*President Pines*


**New UMD President Steps Into The Job Amid Crisis:** NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Darryll Pines, a new president of the University of Maryland, about him stepping into the position in the middle of the pandemic and economic crisis.

- [Read an NPR interview with President Pines](https://www.npr.org/2020/06/11/875311221/new-umd-president-steps-into-the-job-amid-crisis)