In April and May, more than 13,000 members of UMGC’s global Class of 2021 congregated for three commencement celebrations. Graduates in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 32 countries and territories came together to mark the happy occasion and take their place in UMGC’s global alumni community, which is 254,000 strong and growing.
“It has been our honor to help you in the pursuit of your goals and your dreams,” said Gregory W. Fowler, PhD, President, University of Maryland Global Campus.
“We’re excited to be able to honor the accomplishments of our Class of 2021 graduates, no matter where they call home,” added UMGC Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations Nikki Sandoval. “While 2020 threw additional challenges our way, our graduates continued to demonstrate the indomitable spirit, commitment and grit that are at the heart of our UMGC community.”
As our global alumni community continues to grow, please join us in welcoming our newest members. Visit the UMGC Alumni Facebook page to post your messages of best wishes to the Class of 2021. Additionally, access the Social Toolkit to create your own messages to post on your social feeds and add a Facebook Profile Frame to show your support.
Celebrating stateside
Brig. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead ’96 will deliver the keynote address at the virtual Stateside Commencement, which will be held on May 15. Brig. Gen. Birckhead, who is assistant adjutant general and commander of the Maryland Army National Guard, is also a UMGC alumna.
During her address, she will share the experiences and insights she gained from her distinguished 30-year military career, leading all National Guard troops deployed at the U.S. Capitol this year and her appointment by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to lead the state’s vaccine equity task force.
Raymond Fisher is the ceremony’s Student Speaker, representing the class of 2021. Fisher is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who traces his family history on his mother’s side to a slave owned by George Washington. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in information systems management after a 25-year journey to higher education.
The stateside celebration will conclude with the conferral of degrees by UMGC President Fowler and a virtual greeting from Governor Hogan. You can watch the UMGC Stateside Celebration online.
Honoring the occasion in Asia
The virtual Asia Commencement ceremony, which was held on April 24, was a combined ceremony for all Summer 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 graduates and their guests.
Charles K. Hyde, Regional Vice President of the Pacific Division, USO, and Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force (retired), provided the commencement address. He offered words of wisdom and encouragement gleaned from his 28 years of service flying more than 4,000 hours for the U.S. Air Force and providing leadership for USO Pacific.
UMGC President Fowler was virtually presided over the conferral of degrees, assisted by School of Business Dean Bryan Booth, PhD; School of Cybersecurity and Information Technology Dean Douglas Harrison, PhD; and Acting Dean of the School of Arts And Sciences Randall Hansen, EDD.
You can watch the Asia Commencement online.
Commemorating graduation in Europe
On May 1, nearly 1,400 students from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa received their UMGC diplomas at a hybrid celebration.
On an airfield in Wiesbaden, 100 UMGC Europe graduates walked the stage while family and friends honked horns from parked cars. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, was on hand to deliver the keynote address. UMGC Europe Vice President and Director Tony Cho also spoke at the commencement.
At the UMGC Europe Commencement, more than 650 students earned bachelor’s degrees, nearly 550 earned associate’s and more than 200 master’s earned degrees.
Read more Alumni News.
A closer look at our 2021 grads:
- Total grads worldwide: 13,171
- Youngest grad: 17 years old
- Oldest grad: 78 years old
- Average age: 35 years old
UMGC Europe Commencement
