---
title: "Terp! Seeks! Fortune!"
date: 2023-12-11T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/terp-seeks-fortune"
section: Articles
---
# Terp! Seeks! Fortune!

*December 11, 2023* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih)


> Honors Global Communities Staffer to Compete on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Tonight

*Wof7881 001 1920x1080 — Honors Global Communities Program Manager Alfredo Oliveira competes on "Wheel of Fortune." The longtime fan first watched it with his host family when he moved to the United States from Brazil and has been a fan for more than 15 years.*

Monday evening on TV, Alfredo Oliveira will utter the iconic phrase he’s been waiting more than a decade to say: “Pat, I’d like to buy a vowel.”

As the new University of Maryland staff member takes the stage on “Wheel of Fortune,” he’ll spin the multicolored wheel (“It’s both heavier and smaller than it looks!”), banter with host Pat Sajak and hope he makes it to the bonus round for a chance to win trips to Disney Parks—and plenty of cash, of course.

Competing during Disney-themed Secret Santa Week is a perfect fit for Oliveira, a huge fan who’s visited its theme parks in Florida, California and Paris. He and husband Kris, director of [UMD’s LGBTQ+ Equity Center,](https://lgbtq.umd.edu/) even chose Disney World as their honeymoon destination—and Oliveria chose a red Mickey Mouse tie from his collection to wear on the show.


*Alfredo Oliveira with cut-outs of Vanna White and Pat Sajak — Oliveira with cut-outs of co-hosts Vanna White and Pat Sajak. (Photo courtesy of Oliveira)*




**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Multicultural Community](https://today.umd.edu/topic/multicultural-community)


**Units:** [Honors College](https://today.umd.edu/topic/honors-college)