Merrill College-Photojournalism

Friday, February 20, 2026

Hananel, Photo Assignment #3

Renowned physicist Sylvester James Gates visited the University of Maryland's "The Olympia Academy" club on Thursday, February 20. He spoke about his life and the role physics has played in it.

Gates answers a question after finishing his presentation on Thursday, February 20. Gates has been the John S. Toll Professor of Physics at UMD since 2022.

Gates speaks about an esoteric part of his research in a field of physics called supersymmetry. Gates was one of the first physicists to take the field seriously.

Students laugh after Gates makes a joke during the seminar. Gates mentioned he and former President Barack Obama have exchanged jokes over the years.

A student deeply listens to Gates' seminar, which included much social analysis of racial segregation and discrimination throughout his life. He was the first African American elected to the National Academy of Sciences as a theoretical physicist.

Students clap after Gates ends his presentation on his life and career. Gates attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his undergraduate schooling as well as his Ph.D.

Gates sits on a table during the Q&A section of the seminar. In 1984 he became an associate professor at UMD and stayed as a full professor until 2017.

Henretta, Assignment #3

For my assignment three project, I attended an event at the Clarice Performing Arts Center called "Maryland Minds: Shaping the Future of AI." The event featured TED-talk style presentations that eventually shifted into networking, socializing, and drinks and food in the foyer of the center.

Director of the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland Hal Daume III excitedly talks to curious eventgoers.

Eventgoers share drinks and food as laughter filters through the vicinity.

An eventgoer reaches for olives, looking for a quick savory fix.

Eventgoers talk over appetizers and wine, talking excitedly.

Eventgoers standing in the foyer of the Clarice Performing Arts Center, directly outside of the Gildenhorn Recital Hall.

Two eventgoers looking solemn and relaxed as they stand in the foyer of the Clarice Performing Arts Center.

Eventgoers mingle with event speakers, sharing food and drink.

Eventgoers socializing and loitering around "FORWARD" initiative sign.

Voss, Assignment #3

Professor Tim Jacobsen leads a photojournalism class at the Merrill College of Journalism on Friday, February 20.

Students edit their work in a photojournalism class at the Merrill College of Journalism on Friday, February 20.

Graduate student Laura Van Pate edits her own photographs at the Merrill College of Journalism on Friday, February 20.

Professor Tim Jacobsen leads a photojournalism class at the Merrill College of Journalism on Friday, February 20.

Students edit their work in Professor Tim Jacobsen's photojournalism class at the Merrill College of Journalism on Friday, February 20.

Professor Tim Jacobsen's camera at the Merrill College of Journalism on Friday, February 20.

Graduate student Laura Van Pate edits her own photographs at the Merrill College of Journalism on Friday, February 20.

Ong, Assignment #3

Shell Marketplace at the Idea Factory on Friday, February 13 2026. Various UMD students were selling their products or showing off their inventions at this event.

Students checking out the various booths

Students talking while they queued for the henna booth

A matcha machine invented by a group of students; the machine whisks the matcha powder and adds water for you

Somebody getting a henna done by a fellow student

A shot of a student's artwork that she is selling

Samples of delicious pickles that were unfortunately out of stock

Two friends picking out vintage rings to buy

Van Pate, Laura Photo Assignment #3 (Event Photos)

Connor Voss smiles while listening to a lecture during Tim Jacobsen's afternoon photojournalism class.

Connor Voss is concentrating hard while editing photos during on Adobe Photoshop.

JP Belling receives editing help from Professor Jacobsen.

Professor Jacobsen answers a JP Belling's editing question.

Students help each other out with Adobe Photoshop

Professor Jacobsen and students are working on Adobe Bridge.

Belling, assignment #3

I photographed the first home game of the season for Maryland Baseball against Georgetown in Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium on February 17, 2026. Maryland (3-1) beat Georgetown (1-3) 16-3.

Maryland Baseball celebrates a home run hit by Antonio Morales in Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium on February 17, 2026.

Georgetown pitcher Jack Volo throws a pitch in Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium in College Park, Md., on February 17, 2026.

Fans watch a Maryland Baseball player run to second base on February 17, 2026 in Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium in College Park, Md.

Fans watch a 16-3 Maryland Baseball win on February 17, 2026, in Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium in College Park, Md.

A necklace sits around a Maryland Baseball player’s neck during their 16-3 win over Georgetown on February 17, 2026, in Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium in College Park, Md.

A Maryland Baseball coach looks at a device during their 16-3 win over Georgetown on February 17, 2026 in Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium in College Park, Md.