Spring Commencement Update

Dear UMBC Community,

For many reasons, spring is a time of hope. On our campus, this is especially true as we plan for commencement and prepare to celebrate our graduating class. We know that the experience of the Class of 2021 has been unlike that of any other class in the history of our institution. We are excited to celebrate the perseverance and commitment of our graduating students.

As we prepare for UMBC’s May commencement, we are aware that the current health situation continues to make a large community gathering impossible. We will host our commencement ceremonies online on May 20 and 21 for graduate and undergraduate students, respectively. Both ceremonies will stream at 10 a.m. EST. We hope that all of our graduating students, their families, and the larger UMBC community will join us online for the ceremonies. Recordings will also be available after the ceremony.

We hope to introduce a limited in-person photography opportunity for local students who wish to have photos taken on campus, as well as other participation opportunities for all students. We will share more information directly with graduates in the coming weeks. As has been the case all year, the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community members will guide all of our decisions. 

We share in the disappointment of many of our graduates and their families that we cannot celebrate in person and look forward to the day when it is safe to do so. We are inspired by the words of Amanda Gorman, the National Youth Poet Laureate: 

The new dawn blooms as we free it

For there is always light,

If only we're brave enough to see it

If only we're brave enough to be it

Thank you for helping us celebrate the Class of 2021. Questions can be sent to commencement@umbc.edu

President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous