Dear UMBC Community,
Now more than ever, we are reminded of the many ways in which our community achieves excellence. Over the past few weeks, we have seen you demonstrate resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering resolve to help solve problems. We’ve watched as students, faculty, and staff have found new ways to build and sustain community during these uncertain times. Thank you for your creativity, patience, and compassion.
It’s been nearly three weeks since we wrote to share the unfortunate and disappointing news that we will not be able to hold in-person commencement ceremonies this spring. We invited you to work with us to find the best way to celebrate the many achievements of the Class of 2020, and we’ve been inspired by the thoughtful response. Over the past few weeks, we have heard from many students, parents, and colleagues about their concerns, and also their visions for how we recognize our graduates. More than 600 students responded to a survey and shared a range of ideas that have helped our team make important decisions and move forward.
Overwhelmingly, our students still want to celebrate in May, and we agree. We will be using a novel technology platform to host virtual commencement celebrations in May. Details will be available in the coming weeks at commencement.umbc.edu.
In addition to virtual celebrations, we are working with students, faculty, and staff in our shared governance approach to consider a range of options for an in-person event at a later time. We will keep you informed as we explore these alternatives. Know that we—like you—want to have an in-person event so we can celebrate your accomplishments together, and we will find a way to make it happen. We will be in contact soon.
This is a generation-defining moment. We know that the Class of 2020 includes compassionate leaders and creative problem solvers. We need thinkers and experts across disciplines who can help us navigate our current and future challenges. We know that this is our Class of 2020. We shared your promise and potential with the world in a recent op-ed in The Baltimore Sun.
With our students as our inspiration, we cannot help but find reasons to be hopeful for the future. Thank you for your grit and greatness.
President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous
Now more than ever, we are reminded of the many ways in which our community achieves excellence. Over the past few weeks, we have seen you demonstrate resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering resolve to help solve problems. We’ve watched as students, faculty, and staff have found new ways to build and sustain community during these uncertain times. Thank you for your creativity, patience, and compassion.
It’s been nearly three weeks since we wrote to share the unfortunate and disappointing news that we will not be able to hold in-person commencement ceremonies this spring. We invited you to work with us to find the best way to celebrate the many achievements of the Class of 2020, and we’ve been inspired by the thoughtful response. Over the past few weeks, we have heard from many students, parents, and colleagues about their concerns, and also their visions for how we recognize our graduates. More than 600 students responded to a survey and shared a range of ideas that have helped our team make important decisions and move forward.
Overwhelmingly, our students still want to celebrate in May, and we agree. We will be using a novel technology platform to host virtual commencement celebrations in May. Details will be available in the coming weeks at commencement.umbc.edu.
In addition to virtual celebrations, we are working with students, faculty, and staff in our shared governance approach to consider a range of options for an in-person event at a later time. We will keep you informed as we explore these alternatives. Know that we—like you—want to have an in-person event so we can celebrate your accomplishments together, and we will find a way to make it happen. We will be in contact soon.
This is a generation-defining moment. We know that the Class of 2020 includes compassionate leaders and creative problem solvers. We need thinkers and experts across disciplines who can help us navigate our current and future challenges. We know that this is our Class of 2020. We shared your promise and potential with the world in a recent op-ed in The Baltimore Sun.
With our students as our inspiration, we cannot help but find reasons to be hopeful for the future. Thank you for your grit and greatness.
President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous
