Congratulations, 2015 UMB graduates!

You have reached the end of a long journey and come out on top despite some extra obstacles in your way.

Sure, finals are difficult for every student. But the Class of 2015 survived last-minute changes in academic schedules, reduced hours of study in our buildings, limited accessibility to parking, and other disruptions because of the unrest in Baltimore.

You didn’t overcome years of obstacles to give up with the finish line in sight, however. You persevered — and you did it together, the hallmark of your interprofessional training of which I am so proud.

In fact, you changed a negative into a positive, with students from our schools of dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work and our Graduate School joining the peaceful protests that followed the violence and playing an essential role in UMB Responds, helping members of our West Baltimore community at a time of great need.

Each year I look upon commencement as our greatest day of the year, as our day of hope, with graduates moving on to do the work we’ve prepared them to do, improving the human condition and society at-large.

I thank each and every member of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Class of 2015 for your hard work and dedication.

Congratulations!

Jay A. Perman, MD
President
University of Maryland, Baltimore