From the Nominator

After several months of virtual programming, mostly over Zoom, the UMD Alumni Association identified a need for a unique non-event engagement opportunity. “Terp Trips,” the first of its kind, was created and launched in Fall of 2020 to offer a safe, fun, and creative way for alumni to engage with the Alumni Association on their own time (without logging onto a video call). 

Terp Trips offered curated, day-long itineraries for participants to navigate their own town or nearby town on their own. The program consisted of four itineraries—three local cities and one “Staycation”—handpicked by UMD Alumni Association staff. Participants received a Terp Trips box including a Maryland travel bag, Maryland sunglasses, three specialized UMD pins, a portable Testudo, a cozy Maryland sweatshirt blanket, and hand sanitizer. The Terp Trip itineraries also included “Terp Tips,” to highlight alumni-related facts about each activity.

From the Judges

Consensus: We LOVED this entry. It was incredibly creative, while adapting to the variables surrounding COVID. The deliverable items were thought through and detailed, and helped bring the event to life. The amount of research and effort used to execute this project, while having a smaller budget, stood out . We did think it was a unique event style and format to engage alumni, build a community connection, and connect to one another. Great work!