2021 Graduates: The Heroes Among Us

Watch Commencement

Each of 51视频's seven Commencement ceremonies, beginning on Wednesday, May 12 and continuing through Friday, May 14, will be streamed live. Afterward, each ceremony will be available to rewatch online. You will also find the roll call of student slides at the link.

51视频 celebrates the heroes among us who persevered amid the pandemic to shine. Share your "Congratulations" video with UML grads using #UML2021聽on social media!

Class of 2021 Changed, but Not Defined by Pandemic

05/10/2021

For some, the COVID-19 pandemic opened their eyes to the inequities of the health care system. Others said it made them appreciate life鈥檚 little moments that they used to take for granted. And for others, the pandemic has actually led to new and innovative ways to think about their careers.

For the Class of 2021, COVID-19 will forever be a part of their college experience.聽

But it also won鈥檛 define the entirety of their time at 51视频.

One week before Commencement, we asked eight graduating seniors to join us for a roundtable discussion on 鈥� where else? 鈥� Zoom, where we talked about their favorite UML memories, how the pandemic has affected them and what advice they鈥檇 give to themselves four years ago, among other topics.聽 Read what they had to say.

Meet Our Student Speaker

Army veteran Jamie Smorczewski, a Double River Hawk who is graduating with a master鈥檚 degree in security studies, will share some of what he鈥檚 learned about persevering as the university鈥檚 2021 student Commencement speaker. Read his story.

Meet More 2021 Graduates

Hannah Casey

Political Science

Hannah Casey signed up for the Model U.N. and Mock Trial teams and student government. She interned with a congressional candidate and a defense attorney. Now she鈥檚 student body president.
Evelynn Cousey

Environmental Science

As co-president of the Society of Environmental Scientists student organization, Evelynn Cousey has developed leadership skills that she plans to take into a career in environmental policy and law.
Jamie Smorczewski

History, Security Studies

2021 Student Commencement Speaker Jamie Smorczewski knows what it means to persevere, over injury, health issues, the pandemic and life鈥檚 curveballs.
Michael Hines

Exercise Science

Michael Hines, a former college athlete who wants to own his own athletic or physical therapy facility one day, is following the exercise and fitness management degree pathway.