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 serving the public good.

On Friday, May 18, UMB students, families, and friends will again “take over” the city’s Westside with a wide array of activities and ceremonies to mark the commencement of more than 2,150 graduates in medicine, law, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, social work, and biomedical, health, and human service sciences.

UMB’s commencement festivities will begin following the schools’ individual graduation ceremonies. A midday Party in the Park on May 18 at University Square kicks off the celebration. Join us there for food, games, music, and other fun.

Graduates, faculty, administrators, and platform party guests will then gather for an academic processional from University Plaza to UMB’s commencement ceremony at Royal Farms Arena three short blocks away. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. Graduates will depart the arena by 4 p.m. with their diplomas in hand.

For the convenience of the graduates’ families, rooms have been reserved at local hotels at discounted rates, and arrangements have been made for affordable parking nearby. Also, several area restaurants have extended special offers to our graduates and their guests on this special occasion.

Visit this website regularly for updates on the people and activities that promise to make May 18, 2018, a memorable day. I thank each and every member of the UMB Class of 2018 for your hard work and dedication.

Congratulations to the graduates and their families!

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