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Embarking on a new journey for the Class of 2024

Published: Dec 20, 2024

A graduate wearing a decorated mortarboard with the words Adventure Awaits, adorned with paper flowers and a map design. Other graduates in black robes and caps are gathered in the background, preparing for the ceremony.

Over 1,100 students crossed the stage at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena this week at Commencement to take their place as the newest members of UMBC’s alumni community. The Class of 2024 inspired and amazed us during their time at UMBC. 

New graduates in caps and gowns celebrate by throwing their caps into the air outside a modern building. The sky is overcast, and people are gathered around, some taking photos. Banners line the path in the background.
Graduates in caps and gowns shake hands with faculty in academic regalia at a graduation ceremony. A crowd of spectators is seated in the background.
Graduates in caps and gowns shake hands with faculty in academic regalia at a graduation ceremony. A crowd of spectators is seated in the background.
A graduate in a black cap and gown is being hooded on stage during a ceremony. The stage is decorated with banners from various schools, and flowers are arranged at the front. Other officials in academic regalia are seated and watching.
A graduate in cap and gown poses with a woman for a photo during a UMBC ceremony. Others are seated in the background.
Graduates in black caps and gowns, with one cap featuring "UMBC Grad" text, seated in an auditorium.

“Believing you have the ability to impact the world around you is the first step in developing a freedom mindset,” said Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman ’95, interdisciplinary studies, speaking to this year’s graduates. “Your education at UMBC has most likely supported this journey towards having a freedom mindset, and you may not have fully realized that yet.”

A woman in academic regalia speaks at a podium labeled UMBC during a graduation ceremony. Several people in caps and gowns are seated behind her. The background features a large orange banner with a faint pattern.
A man in academic regalia speaks at a podium marked UMBC during a graduation ceremony. The background is dimly lit, and there are people seated behind the speaker.

In his first Commencement address, UMBC Provost Manfred H. M. van Dulmen charged the new graduates to take some time to think about how they got here.

“While we celebrate today your degree, I hope you have an opportunity to reflect on your journey as the learning and growing does occur during this journey. It is the journey that matters as much—or even more—as earning the degree. Your degree reflects this journey, who you are and how you got here. What you learned through the journey, the good and the bad, will help you succeed in your journeys after your degree.”

Graduates in caps and gowns celebrate at a commencement ceremony, with UMBC banners and a university seal in the background. Confetti is falling from above, adding a festive atmosphere.
Rows of graduates in black caps and gowns sit in a ceremony. A cap in the foreground features the year 2024 and decorative flowers. The blurred background shows other graduates and attendees.
Graduates stand in rows wearing caps and gowns at a commencement ceremony. The audience is seated in the background, observing the event.
A group of seven graduates dressed in black caps and gowns stand together, smiling. They are indoors in a gymnasium, with basketball hoops visible in the background. Each graduate wears a stole or sash over their gown.
A joyful graduate wearing a cap and gown hugs another person during a graduation ceremony. Other graduates and attendees are visible in the background, seated and wearing academic regalia.
Four graduates in caps and gowns stand together with a brown dog at a graduation ceremony. They wear various honor cords and stoles, and are smiling inside a large hall with other graduates in the background.

Congratulations to the class of 2024, we know the best is yet to come! Both the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies can be found on YouTube. 

All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

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