Adelphi, Md. (May 7, 2024)—University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) will hold its Spring “Grad Walk” and continue a tradition started during the pandemic that focuses on the university’s graduates and their family and friends. Of the university’s nearly 14,000 students who earned degrees over the academic year, more than 2,200 have registered to attend Grad Walk.
As part of commencement activities, UMGC will profile more than a dozen graduates whose academic journeys have been particularly inspiring. Several graduates were also invited to serve as #UMGCgrad Social Media Ambassadors, celebrating this important milestone and spreading the word about other commencement activities. UMGC’s global alumni community currently totals more than 294,000 worldwide.
Spring Grad Walk 2024 will take place at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center (3501 University Blvd., Adelphi, Md.), May 9–12. Graduates select multiple time slots during the three days to cross the stage and receive individual recognition.
Spring Grad Walk 2024 includes features that make it memorable for graduates:
- Each graduate’s name is called as they cross a formal commencement stage in regalia
- Family members and friends can cheer their graduate from a viewing area close to the front of the stage
- Professional photographers are on site to take individual portraits as the graduate crosses the stage and afterward, with family and friends
- Each graduate receives a video clip of themselves crossing the stage to keep as a memento and share online
- Graduates can also commemorate their achievements with family and friends in a special Celebration Zone, where they can meet UMGC faculty, staff, and Alumni Association representatives and purchase UMGC Alumni apparel, gear and other mementos.
A website has been created for spring grads and includes an on-demand ceremony with the formal conferral of degrees by UMGC President Gregory W. Fowler, special messages from University System of Maryland Board of Regents Chair, Linda Gooden and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and remarks by student speaker Sayed Mahbobi, as well as an online “Gallery of Graduates” showcasing graduates’ personalized recognition slides that can be shared via social media or e-mail.
Graduates receive a mailed Grad Pack containing UMGC ‘swag’ to help jump-start the festivities. They are encouraged to share their achievements with fellow graduates via social media using #UMGCGrad.
A profile of graduates (including those who earned degrees in the academic year, including the summer and fall 2023 and spring 2024 terms):
- Number of graduates: 14,000 (estimated)
- Average age: 35
- Oldest graduate: 78
- Youngest graduate: 19
- Graduates come from all 50 states, three U.S territories and 24 countries.
- Associate's degrees: 2,310
- Bachelor's degrees: 7,809
- Master's degrees: 3,490
- Doctoral degrees: 41
About University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of adults in the workforce and the U.S. military. Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, at more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and offering more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umgc.edu.
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