University Celebrates Winter Commencement

The Terp alumni community grew by a few thousand people last night at the Winter 2019 campus-wide commencement ceremony.

It celebrated graduates from August and December, a group that earned an estimated 2,503 bachelor’s degrees, 1,564 master’s degrees and 616 doctoral degrees.

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper Jr. ’63, former director of national intelligence, delivered the main address, asking graduates to be kind and humble, rely on common sense, and champion provable facts.

“As college graduates you are intellectual leaders and opinion shapers, and you need to set the example by insisting on truth,” he said.

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr. ’64 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree for his achievements and decades of leadership in the General Assembly.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to be here,” Miller said. “It’s a rainy day outside, but it’s always fair weather when Terps come together.”

The student speaker was Bita Riazi, a daughter of Iranian immigrants who delayed the completion of her college career in order to care for them. She earned an associate’s degree in general studies from Montgomery College in 2011 and a bachelor’s degree in communication from UMD.

Individual college and school ceremonies were held across campus today.