Dear UMB Community,

Today marks the culmination of seven years of hard work for members of the first cohort of UMB CURE Scholars as they graduate from this impactful program designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in research, health care, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

To celebrate Cohort 1’s achievements and bright futures, UMB is holding a graduation ceremony Friday at 5:30 p.m., and members of the University community are encouraged to watch the event via livestream at umaryland.edu/cure-scholars.

The first cohort joined us from three West Baltimore middle schools in fall 2015, becoming the first students in the nation to participate in the National Cancer Institute’s Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) program as sixth-graders.

What a long and inspirational trip it’s been! Today, members of the first cohort are poised to graduate from high school, and 17 of them are preparing to enter college in the fall. Combined, the group has received more than 140 college acceptances.

Of course, the scholars’ hard work has been key to their success, but this is a UMB success story as well. The CURE scholars receive great support from University leadership, CURE’s outstanding staff, and dedicated faculty and student mentors from UMB’s seven schools.

We are all proud of what the UMB CURE Scholars have accomplished and excited about what lies ahead for this special group — and the cohorts that follow.

Congratulations again to Cohort 1 on its graduation! Please join us virtually for the celebration this evening.  

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS

President