‘We Know We Are Ready for the Next Unknown’

University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines sent the following email to graduating seniors today:

Congratulations on a job well done!

This week, we had planned to celebrate your extraordinary accomplishment as you complete your academic degrees here at the University of Maryland. But the COVID-19 virus once again upended our plans and our lives.

Although I believe we made the prudent decision to postpone our commencement exercises to help keep you and your loved ones safe, it is a decision that comes with great sadness and heartbreak. I feel for every single one of you.

However, we will get through this. Your experience here at the University of Maryland has changed you. You are stronger. And wiser. Your years here have equipped you with everything you need to take on the grand challenges of our time. You have displayed grit and confidence and perseverance.

And now, the world needs you. And you are ready to step into the next challenge. Because you have learned what it means to be a Terp. Because you have learned to be fearless.

We will celebrate your graduation during the spring commencement ceremony in May, and I am pleased to announce that Jeff Kinney, best-selling author and illustrator, has agreed to serve as our keynote speaker. But in the meantime, I am happy to share this brief video featuring remarks from Kiara Anthony, your student commencement speaker. I trust you will find her words as inspiring as I did.

On behalf of the provost and the deans, and our entire community, we sincerely congratulate you on your accomplishment and wish you well in the months and years ahead!

Go Terps!