Adelphi, Md. — Dec. 15, 2025 — University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) honored 11,273 summer and fall graduates during this year’s winter commencement season, with participating learners representing all 50 U.S. states, DC, and 23 countries and territories. The Class of 2025 spans generations—the oldest graduate is 88, and the youngest is just 16, demonstrating that it’s never too late (or too early) to pursue your goals.
More than 2,600 graduates and 20,000 guests participated in UMGC’s four-day Winter Grad Walk in Maryland. This signature celebration brings students and families together for a personalized, student-centered commencement experience designed to honor each learner’s unique achievements.
“Each graduate who crossed the stage this winter represents determination, resilience, and purpose,” said UMGC President Gregory W. Fowler, PhD. “Our learners balance careers, families, and service while pursuing their education—and Winter Grad Walk gives us the opportunity to celebrate each journey in a deeply personal way. These graduates remind us that access to education truly changes lives.”
A Personalized Stage-Crossing Experience
Unlike traditional arena commencements, Grad Walk is UMGC’s personalized, student-centered commencement experience designed to put each graduate center stage. Graduates select a time to cross the stage in regalia as their name is announced, pose for professional photos and video, and celebrate in a Celebration Zone with family and friends—who enjoy a front-row vantage point throughout.
From its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic, Grad Walk has offered flexibility and intimacy over large arena ceremonies, resonating strongly with working adults, military-affiliated students, and families traveling from around the world to mark this achievement together.
Held at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center near the university’s Adelphi headquarters, Winter Grad Walk served as the culmination of UMGC’s fall commencement season, which also included military recognition ceremonies held earlier at three U.S. bases.
Recognizing Graduates Wherever They Are
To ensure graduates unable to attend in person were still meaningfully recognized, UMGC continued its tradition of mailing Grad Packs to graduates around the world. The initiative began during COVID-19, when in-person commencement ceremonies were canceled, and the university sought a tangible way to celebrate graduates.
More than 11,300 Grad Packs were shipped during the winter season alone to celebrate graduates who completed their programs between July and December. The initiative has also generated strong engagement across social media, further affirming its impact.
The Grad Pack tradition is paired with UMGC’s robust virtual commencement experience, which includes an on-demand ceremony, digital degree conferral, and an online Gallery of Graduates—ensuring that students who cannot travel still receive meaningful recognition.
“I’m thrilled we found a way to help graduates celebrate commencement wherever they are in the world,” said Angela Grant, director of commencement services, noting that these combined efforts have become a lasting extension of UMGC’s mission to connect with students across geographic boundaries.
Military Recognition Ceremonies Mark Fall Commencement Season
As part of UMGC’s broader fall commencement season, the university also recognized military-affiliated graduates at several stateside base ceremonies held earlier in the term.
On Oct. 3, UMGC celebrated graduates at the Schriever Space Force Base Graduation Ceremony in Colorado. On-base schools and the military community came together to recognize students for their dedication and success. The ceremony honored 16 UMGC graduates, including eight bachelor’s and eight master’s degree recipients.
Later in the month, U.S. Army Fort Hood in Texas hosted its 28th Annual Consolidated Graduate Recognition Ceremony on Oct. 23, celebrating 99 graduates, including 31 from UMGC.
Among those recognized at Fort Hood were UMGC Military Education Coordinator Corwin Facey, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, and his spouse, Rovina P. Facey, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks & Cybersecurity. Their shared achievement reflected the resilience and commitment of UMGC’s military learning community.
A third military recognition ceremony was held at Fort Benning in Georgia on Oct. 24, where UMGC honored seven graduates as part of the installation’s celebration.
Together, Winter Grad Walk and the military recognition ceremonies reflected the many ways UMGC meets graduates where they are—on campus, on base, and around the world. A curated Winter Grad Walk photo gallery is available for graduates and families to relive the celebration and share on social media using #UMGCgrad. The winter commencement season also followed a historic academic year for the university: UMGC closed Fiscal Year 2025 with 17,855 graduates—the largest graduating class in its history—a 17.6% year-over-year increase, along with record-setting gains in time to completion, GPA, and transfer credit.
*The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DOD endorsement.