---
title: Graduates to Be Honored for Resilience and Achievements
date: 2021-12-13T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/graduates-to-be-honored-for-resilience-and-achievements"
section: Articles
---
# Graduates to Be Honored for Resilience and Achievements

*December 13, 2021* — by [Liam Farrell](/author/liam-farrell)


> Commencement Will Feature Remarks From Student and Bestselling Alum Author Jeff Kinney

*Commencement Winter SC 12182018 6009 1920x1080 1 — For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, UMD graduates this semester will experience a fully in-person, campuswide commencement.*

*Editor's note: On Dec. 16, the University of Maryland canceled the Dec. 20 main commencement ceremony and all college, school and department ceremonies scheduled for Dec. 21 and 22. This difficult decision was made to protect the health and well-being of the UMD community amid a surge of COVID-19 cases on campus. All winter graduates will be invited to the spring ceremony in May.*

More than 3,300 students who have persevered through unprecedented times to earn their degrees will be honored at next week’s campuswide commencement ceremony, with a sendoff from an accomplished student and one of UMD’s most successful authors.

For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the graduating class, university officials and guests will gather together for the winter celebration. The 2020 and Spring 2021 ceremonies were either solely online or hybrid events, divided by school and college to meet safety protocols.

The ceremony will be held in the Xfinity Center and livestreamed at [commencement.umd.edu](http://commencement.umd.edu/)and the [UMD YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/user/UMD2101). Individual college, school and department ceremonies will be held across campus on Dec. 21 and 22.

“All of us have been inspired by how our students continue to demonstrate such admirable resilience in the face of challenging times. In a word, they are fearless,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines. “We are overjoyed to be able to celebrate their achievements together and welcome them into the family of Terrapin alums.”


*Jeff Kinney with "Wimpy Kid" illustration*


*Kiara Anthony portrait*



**Sidebar note:**

The campuswide commencement ceremony for August and December 2021 graduates will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Xfinity Center for the celebration. For more information and the schedule of individual school, college and department ceremonies, visit [commencement.umd.edu](http://commencement.umd.edu/).





**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Government and Politics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/government-and-politics)


**Units:** [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences)