Nearly 1,000 Retrievers crossed the stage on December 17 and 18 as UMBC celebrated its Ph.D., graduate, and undergraduate Commencement ceremonies.
With powerful reflections on humanity, connection, and purpose, campus leaders sent the Class of 2025 into a rapidly changing world with a call to lead with heart.
To read more about these and other campus news stories, visit UMBC news.
Carrying Forward the Retriever Values
Assistant Vice President Christine Mallinson challenged graduates to advocate for the “irreplaceable value of human communication.” She reminded them that technology should never replace human connection.
Speakers reflected on the people who shaped each graduate’s journey. They recognized family members, study partners, mentors, and friends who offered steady support. Graduate Student Association President Aminah Amjad, Ph.D. ’26, celebrated the class’s spirit of mutual encouragement. Provost Manfred H. M. van Dulmen urged students to carry UMBC’s values into the future.
As the Class of 2025 begins its next chapter, these Retrievers are ready to shape a more just, inclusive, and hopeful world.
Read more about UMBC’s Commencement celebrations here.
Where Stagecraft Meets Storytelling
Each theatre season begins nearly a year in advance. First, directors select the plays. Then, designers and students collaborate to transform scripts into immersive experiences.
For the 2025–2026 season opener, Shakespeare in Harlem, Assistant Professor Gerrad Alex Taylor partnered with students and production staff. Together, they honored the Harlem Renaissance through poetry, music, and design.
Meanwhile, in the Proscenium Theatre and Black Box, crews trained in woodworking, lighting, and stage technology built vaulted arches and forced-perspective floors. In addition, they installed intricate lighting plots to bring the vision to life. Under the mentorship of faculty and alumni, students developed both artistic creativity and technical precision.
Ultimately, the result is more than a performance. Instead, it is a form of community service rooted in storytelling, healing, and connection.
Discover how UMBC theatre brings stories to life here.
The Power of Interdisciplinary Thinking
At UMBC, exploration is encouraged. In fact, nearly half of students pursue a second major, minor, or certificate. Because of this culture, students often connect disciplines in unexpected ways.
For instance, Ph.D. graduate Elia Mascolo merges computational biology with jazz improvisation. Similarly, Professor Manil Suri bridges mathematics and literature. At the same time, students like Mareisha Banga and Mahrukh Eijaz combine information systems with design and communication. As a result, they approach problems both creatively and analytically.
Additionally, programs like the long-standing Individualized Study Program allow students to design academic paths that reflect their ambitions. In today’s workforce, adaptability and communication are essential. Therefore, UMBC’s interdisciplinary approach prepares Retrievers not just for jobs, but for meaningful and multidimensional lives.
Explore how Renaissance Retrievers are shaping the future here.
A Tradition Rooted in Retriever Pride
What began in March 2020 as a way to stay connected during a virtual world became a weekly ritual. As AVP in Institutional Research, Analysis, and Decision Support, Pierson understands the value of tracking milestones—but this streak is about more than numbers. Each post, complete with a hashtag and signature grin, connects her to colleagues, alumni, and friends who say her tradition helps them mark the week’s end. With 31 years at UMBC as both student and staff member, Pierson’s commitment reflects a lifelong Retriever spirit. Even as she plans for retirement in 2026, she intends to keep the streak alive—proving that black and gold pride never graduates.
Learn more about Connie Pierson’s 300th Black and Gold Friday here.