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🌱 Patch AM: UMD police probe masked driver waving gaming rifle on campus

You won't want to miss Vendor Members Group & the Markets of CRAFTS GALORE! on the College Park Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 30th Patch AM
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Morning College Park! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • UMD police probe masked driver waving gaming rifle on campus
  • See how UMD College Park stacks up in new national rankings
  • How new quantum hubs could reshape jobs and research in College Park

Also on today's calendar: Vendor Members Group & the Markets of CRAFTS GALORE! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why should you never iron a 4-leaf colver? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and warmer, with a high of 81 and low of 62 degrees.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 86, low: 62. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Hot with clouds and sun, with a high of 91 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. UMD police investigate incident involving driver waving toy gun (wbaltv.com) — Police at the University of Maryland's College Park campus took a person into custody after reports of a white van being driven aggressively, with the driver masked and waving what appeared to be a weapon. Officers later determined it was a white gaming rifle, but say criminal charges are still expected as they continue investigating the incident.
   

2. These 5 DMV Area universities rank among the nation's top 100 schools (secretdc.com) — College Park residents can take pride that the University of Maryland, located right in town, ranks No. 49 among national universities in the latest U.S. News list. It's the highest-ranked school in the Maryland portion of the DMV, joining four D.C. universities in the top 100 and reinforcing the region's reputation as a higher-education powerhouse.
   

3. How to Add Quantum Computing Experience to Your Resume as Lockheed Martin, Microsoft and Universities Invest Big (clearancejobs.com) — Major quantum players are zeroing in on College Park, with Lockheed Martin announcing its new Quantum Innovation Center at a recent Quantum World Congress here and Microsoft opening a quantum research facility in UMD's Discovery District. Backed by Maryland's $1 billion "Capital of Quantum" initiative, these moves position College Park as a growing hub for high-tech jobs, research partnerships, and workforce training opportunities.
   

4. AEJMC 2026 Roundup: Merrill College Ph.D. Students, Faculty Present and Honored for Their Research (umd.edu) — College Park's own Philip Merrill College of Journalism is racking up national recognition, with several UMD doctoral students and faculty presenting award-winning research at a major journalism education conference. Their projects span topics from journalism education and misinformation to political communication and mobile news engagement, showcasing the depth of scholarship emerging from College Park's flagship journalism program.
   

5. 12 Fellows Announced for the 2026 Costa Rica Faculty Development Institute (umaryland.edu) — Faculty and staff from College Park are among 12 fellows chosen for a December 2026 global education institute in Costa Rica, jointly run by UMD College Park and UMB. Participants will spend a week designing more globally focused courses and programs, which could soon expand international learning opportunities for College Park students across multiple disciplines.
   

📸 Around College Park

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Umcp posted a job opening for Assistant Director - QCoR in College Park. Apply here.
  • Albertsons Company posted a job opening for In-Store Shopper in Greenbelt. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near College Park here.

Ok College Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: You don't want to press your luck! (Thank you Tee E. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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