“As you step into the next stage of your journey—into this complex, technology-driven, and rapidly changing world—I want to challenge you to be an advocate for the irreplaceable value of human communication,” said Christine Mallinson, during last week’s Commencement exercises. The assistant vice president for research and scholarly impact and professor of language, literacy, and culture was tasked with sending UMBC’s new graduates onward and she emphasized the importance of humanity in their next steps.

Nearly 1,000 Retrievers crossed the stage on December 17 and 18 as UMBC celebrated Ph.D., graduate, and undergraduate Commencement ceremonies. At the heart of these celebrations were the people—the family members who offered support, the friends and classmates who were study buddies and allies, the faculty and staff who provided guidance and a listening ear, and the students themselves who pushed through growth even when the road was rocky. 

“One of my favorite things this year has been seeing how supportive graduates are of one another,” shared Aminah Amjad, Ph.D. ’26, chemistry, and president of the Graduate Student Association, while addressing her peers. “Whether it’s sharing lab space or advertising about free food on campus or sharing memes that perfectly describe our collective suffering, you all made it through because you lifted each other.”

As these Retrievers prepare to embark on the exciting journey ahead, Provost Manfred H. M. van Dulmen left the class of 2025 with a final charge: “Let the values you lived here at UMBC guide you as you shape a more just, more inclusive, and more hopeful world. You are the future we’ve been waiting for.”

Visit commencement.umbc.edu to view livestreams of both Commencement ceremonies. All photos by Brad Ziegler/UMBC.