Ceremonies reflect commitment to adult and military learners
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) continued its recognition of recent graduates by hosting ceremonies in April and May across Europe, where graduates earned more than 1,700 degrees and credentials in the 2025–2026 academic year.
UMGC was founded more than 75 years ago to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers. In 1949, UMGC responded to the U.S. Department of Defense’s call to send faculty to teach in post-World War II Europe and has provided flexible, career-relevant education to active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families stationed throughout Europe—and beyond—ever since.
Worldwide, 62 percent of UMGC’s spring 2026 graduates are military-affiliated, including active-duty personnel, spouses, veterans, and dependents.
Stories of resilience and determination
UMGC in Europe hosted its 76th commencement ceremony at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on May 2, where more than 250 graduates crossed the stage.
Fatmata Barrie ’26, who earned a master’s in cloud computing systems while serving in the U.S. Army as a battalion section chief, addressed fellow graduates as student speaker at Ramstein’s ceremony. She offered advice to servicemembers thinking about pursuing a degree.
“Do not stop, keep driving, as it will be overwhelming at first,” she said. “But after taking one or two classes, you will be able to settle in, so do not stop."
Barrie acknowledged that many military learners face competing priorities. In her case, that included balancing a leadership position in the armed forces and her role as a mother while pursuing a graduate degree.
“It seemed impossible, but … we all have stories,” she said. “Some balanced careers, raised families, and overcame obstacles, yet we all arrived at the same destination.”
Barrie’s message reflected the shared determination among military-affiliated graduates, many of whom overcame significant obstacles. In a recent survey of graduates and graduate candidates, those with a military connection cited deployments, scheduling conflicts, and changes in duty stations among their most common challenges.
“The biggest impact of my journey at UMGC was realizing how much I was capable of, even during the hardest seasons of my life,” said Stefanie Bierwagen ’25, who earned her bachelor’s in business administration with a minor in human resource management. “I started my first classes just three months before my first baby was born, while English was my second language and I was living … far away from my family. Balancing school, motherhood, and life without a strong local support system forced me to grow in ways I never expected.”
“UMGC showed me that perseverance matters more than perfect conditions,” said Bierwagen, who participated in the Ramstein ceremony as a magna cum laude graduate. “The flexibility, encouragement, and dedication of many professors helped me believe in myself as both a student and a mother, and that confidence has carried into every part of my life.”
Perseverance was a common theme among UMGC’s new alumni at recognition ceremonies held across Europe, including:
- April 9 – Vicenza, Italy
- April 24 – Sembach, Germany
- May 1 – Ansbach-Katterbach, Germany
- May 13 – Sigonella, Italy
- May 15 – Naples, Italy
- May 15 – Rota, Spain
- May 27 – Mildenhall, United Kingdom
Community support across Europe
In addition to graduates and guests, UMGC faculty and staff joined regional celebrations across Europe to support learners they had helped throughout their academic journeys. Christine Moritz, an advanced program and national test center coordinator, attended the May 1 ceremony at U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach.
"Keeping this yearly tradition of a graduation recognition ceremony is incredibly beneficial to our UMGC graduates and the entire base population, as it preserves a vital touchpoint of celebration and mutual support," she said.
“These are celebrations not only of new opportunities that await our new alumni, but they also validate the immense personal sacrifices made by them and their families.”
The graduation celebrations held in Europe were part of a series of UMGC commencements hosted around the world April–June 2026, including in Asia and the United States. Additional stories highlight the experience of military servicemembers, veterans, and spouses who completed their degrees this spring.
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