Adelphi, Md. Dec.15,2025 University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) honored11,273summer andfallgraduates during this years winter commencement season,with participating learnersrepresentingall50U.S. states, DC,and23countries and territories. The Class of 2025 spans generationstheoldest graduate is88, and the youngest is just16,demonstratingthatitsnever too late (or too early) to pursue your goals.

More than 2,600 graduatesand 20,000 guestsparticipatedin UMGCs four-day Winter Grad Walk in Maryland. This signature celebration brings students and families together for a personalized, student-centered commencement experience designed to honor each learners unique achievements.

Each graduate who crossed the stage this winter represents determination, resilience, and purpose, said UMGC President Gregory W. Fowler, PhD. Our learners balance careers, families, and service while pursuing their educationand Winter Grad Walk gives us the opportunity to celebrate each journey in a deeply personal way. These graduates remindusthat access to educationtruly changeslives.

A Personalized Stage-Crossing Experience

Unlike traditional arena commencements, Grad Walk is UMGCs personalized, student-centered commencement experience designed to put each graduate center stage. Graduates select a time to cross the stage in regalia as their name is announced, pose for professional photos and video, and celebrate in a Celebration Zone with family and friendswho enjoy a front-row vantage point throughout.

From itsinceptionduring the COVID-19 pandemic, Grad Walk has offered flexibility and intimacy over large arena ceremonies, resonating strongly with working adults, military-affiliated students, and families traveling from around the world to mark this achievement together.

Held at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center near the universitys Adelphi headquarters, Winter Grad Walk served as the culmination of UMGCs fall commencement season, which also included military recognition ceremonies held earlier at three U.S. bases.

Recognizing Graduates Wherever They Are

To ensure graduates unable to attend in person were still meaningfully recognized, 91心頭利 continued its tradition of mailing Grad Packs to graduates around the world. The initiative began during COVID-19, when in-person commencement ceremonies were canceled, and the university sought a tangible way to celebrate graduates.

More than 11,300 Grad Packs were shipped during the winter season alone to celebrate graduates who completed their programs between July and December. The initiative has also generated strong engagement across social media, further affirming its impact.

The Grad Pack tradition is paired with UMGCs robust virtual commencement experience, which includes an on-demand ceremony, digital degree conferral, and an online Gallery of Graduatesensuring that students who cannot travel still receive meaningful recognition.

Im thrilled we found a way to help graduates celebrate commencement wherever they are in the world, said Angela Grant, director of commencement services, noting that these combined efforts have become a lasting extension of UMGCs mission to connect with students across geographic boundaries.

Military Recognition Ceremonies Mark Fall Commencement Season

As part of UMGCs broader fall commencement season, the university also recognized military-affiliated graduates at several stateside base ceremonies held earlier in the term.

OnOct. 3, 91心頭利 celebrated graduates at the SchrieverSpaceForce Base Graduation Ceremonyin Colorado. On-baseschools and the military community came together to recognize students for their dedication and success. The ceremony honored 16 UMGC graduates, including eightbachelorsand eight masters degree recipients.

Later in the month, U.S. Army Fort Hood in Texas hosted its 28th Annual Consolidated Graduate Recognition Ceremony onOct.23, celebrating 99 graduates, including 31 from UMGC.

Among those recognized at Fort Hood were UMGC Military Education Coordinator Corwin Facey, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, and his spouse, Rovina P. Facey, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks & Cybersecurity. Their shared achievement reflected the resilience and commitment of UMGCs military learning community.

A third military recognition ceremony was held at Fort Benningin Georgiaon Oct. 24, where UMGC honored seven graduates as part of the installations celebration.

Together, Winter Grad Walk and the military recognition ceremonies reflected the many ways UMGC meets graduates where they areon campus, on base, and around the world. A curatedis available for graduates and families to relive the celebration and share on social media using. The winter commencement season also followed a historic academic year for the university: 91心頭利 closed Fiscal Year 2025 with 17,855 graduatesthelargest graduating classin its historya 17.6% year-over-year increase, along with record-setting gains in time to completion, GPA, and transfer credit.

*The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DOD endorsement.