‘Witch’ Costume Reigns Supreme on Halloween?
From Beetlejuice to Left Shark to Salty Snacks, Terps Show Off Their Favorite Looks
UMD faculty and staff get into the spooky spirit each year, dressing up to teach class and conduct research on Halloween.
Collage by Valerie Morgan; photos courtesy of faculty and staff
Perhaps you’ve heard the ghostly march of cadets by Morrill Hall, the oldest building on campus. Or the yips of Mortimer the dog, who met his tragic end at Tawes Hall. But did you know a werewolf roamed the University of Maryland’s sidewalks four decades ago?
Luckily for those who crossed its path, behind all those pointy teeth and stringy fur was then-student Gene Ferrick ’84. He started making elaborate Halloween costumes long before they were easy to order last-minute from Amazon, trekking to a specialty shop in Takoma Park to get movie makeup and liquid latex to complete his looks.
Ferrick, now director of operations for the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, has transformed himself into Jack Skellington from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and Radagast the Brown from “Lord of the Rings,” complete with a little bird’s nest under his wizard’s hat, among many other characters. This year, he’ll be teaching a CMNS100 class as Beetlejuice. (His wife, Joann Prosser, interim director for assessment in the Division of Student Affairs, always dons a complementary costume, so, of course, she will be Lydia.)
He’s hoping to see more of that spooky spirit across campus.
“I’m always happy to run into somebody else in a costume,” he said.
Check out some wicked good looks from previous years—and keep an eye out for creative costumes in classrooms and offices across campus today!
Charon R. Wallace
Nurse/Allergy and Immunization Program Manager
Need to get a boo(-boo) fixed today? Your usual University Health Center staffers might be sporting something other than a white coat on Halloween.
Stop by the walk-in flu clinic and mini health fair at the Stamp Student Union on Thursday and see what UHC doctors, nurses and other staff members are dressed as this year. Here’s a clue, said Charon Wallace, a nurse and allergy and immunization program manager: Testudo will be proud.
ChristieLyn Diller
Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives, UMD Alumni Association
When Diller started her job at the Alumni Association three years ago, she wanted to “treat” her new coworkers right, so she spearheaded the group’s first Halloween party. It was a hit, so it’s now become an annual tradition—and this year, Diller’s going to be her favorite snack: popcorn.
Shannon Browne
Senior Lecturer, Environmental Science and Technology
As the host of Bat Fest, it’s only fitting that Browne dons a cape and sends out a bat signal to bring families to campus every Halloween week to learn more about these misunderstood mammals. She works with UMD’s chapter of the Wildlife Society to dispel myths, demonstrate bat detection gear and do crafts with kids.
Mike Galczynski
Senior Lecturer and Keystone Instructor, A. James Clark School of Engineering
Galczynski is no stranger to dressing up—check out his funny and informative class videos where he becomes Thor, the Hulk and Guy Fieri—but Halloween is a chance to get his teaching fellows in on the action.
They do a group costume for team bonding each year, ranging from Katy Perry and her dancing sharks to the cast of “The Princess Bride.”
Don’t “force” it, but keep an eye out for a band of Jedis, a stormtrooper and Darth Vader wandering the engineering buildings on Thursday!
Teddy the Terp
The University of Maryland Police Department’s comfort dog doesn’t need a costume to get “awws” across campus. But the campus canine gets dressed up every year anyway as he greets community members at the department’s annual Trunk or Treat, open to kids and UMD students.
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