Note: This story has been reprinted with permission from UMD’s College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and has been lightly edited for content.
As a lecturer in the UMD Criminology and Criminal Justice program at The Universities at Shady Grove, Alan Drew inspired students and colleagues alike with his teaching, generosity and commitment to justice and the law.
Alan passed away on Sept. 26. He is fondly remembered by his colleagues, friends and former students across USG and UMD, including the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
At USG, Alan taught several different classes for students working toward a bachelor’s degree, including Drugs and Crime, Immigration and Crime, and White Collar Crime. Since 2015, he taught and mentored countless students, fostering in them an appreciation of and passion for the law, sound process, and justice.
“Alan was a beloved professor in the UMD Criminology and Criminal Justice program at The Universities at Shady Grove for a decade. He shared his wisdom, values, and experience with our students. He deeply cared for them as individuals and strived to make them responsible and thoughtful citizens,” said Dr. Wendy Stickle, director of the program. “Alan always taught on Tuesdays. I looked forward to coming to the office on Tuesday mornings, knowing he would be there. We would catch up on the news, our families, and of course, the students. Alan will be deeply missed by all of us.”
Students remember Alan as being kind, generous and supportive.
“Professor Drew was someone who truly saw his students. Every time I walked into class, I felt heard and encouraged to be myself. I'll always be grateful for that. He will be deeply missed,” said Amy Maldonado.
Gabriela Granados said she felt “lucky to have met this wonderful soul as my professor during my first semester at USG.”
In addition to his service at UMD and USG, Alan was an attorney with the Law Office of Maria Mena in Silver Spring, Md., and was a longtime public defender. He also served as an adjunct professor at Montgomery College, teaching criminal evidence courses.
Alan was a political science major at the University of Richmond, and went on to earn his juris doctor degree from the Howard University School of Law in 1974.
“Alan made such an impact as a teacher, and he modeled the commitment, care and quality of teaching that many of the faculty across USG bring to their mission while also practicing law and bringing his values to life,” said Dr. Anne Khademian, executive director of USG.