New Book focuses on UMD Traditions

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Quick! How many traditions are there at the University of Maryland? There are actually quite a few, but you won't get the right number until you check out a brand new book called University of Maryland Traditions by Margaret Hall and Linda Martin. Both are members of the University of Maryland's Marketing and Communications team.

"Linda and I realized that people felt we didn't have traditions on campus," said Hall, who oversees University Publications. "So we came up with the idea of writing a UMD traditions book that would appeal to our students, faculty and staff. We wanted to include all the quirky traditions, and some of our history, but also highlight the other various things that have been going on here for generations."

Martin, Executive Director of Web and New Media Strategies, points to First Look Fair - an event on campus designed to introduce students to all the clubs and activities available to them. It's been going on for upwards of three decades. "We wanted people to know that this wasn't just a one-time event that happened when they were on campus. It's been going on for a long time."

5,000 soft covers of the book were handed out to incoming freshmen during a "Welcome to Maryland" event at the Comcast Center in early September - and became an instant hit.

University of Maryland Traditions actually took Hall and Martin more than three years to put together. It is not a difficult read but a wonderful saunter through the history and traditions of the university (the authors emphasize it is "not some stodgy history book"). You won't want to miss the timeline of Maryland's Testudo mascots over the years.

Martin's favorite part of the book is "Terp Talk," that was written by Maryland grad David Nelson, '11. "'Terp Talk'" is uniquely Maryland speak. "From 'Bee Sauce' (BSOS) to 'DBK' (The Diamondback newspaper), 'Terp Talk' will help anyone talk the talk and actually know what it means," said Martin.

Other chapters include everything one needs to know about Maryland traditions and traditional songs, "Terps Sports Spirit," "UMD VITS" (Very Important Terps) and even how to "Romance the Turtle."  "The Final Four" is another favorite with the authors. "We had a lot of fun trying to decide what are those 'The Final Four' things that grads need to do before they leave campus." said Hall.

(Hint - one has to do with skinny dipping.)

Update: The University of Maryland Traditions book is now available in the campus bookstore. Plans remain to offer it at the Maryland Book Exchange just off campus as well.

11182