{"id":2083,"date":"2025-06-03T13:06:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T17:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/?page_id=2083"},"modified":"2025-06-16T09:54:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T13:54:09","slug":"spring-2025-commencement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/archives\/spring-2025-commencement\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring 2025 Commencement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">The University of Maryland Eastern Shore takes great pride in the perseverance and dedication demonstrated by our graduating students. This milestone signifies not only their unwavering commitment to academic excellence but also the invaluable support of their mentors, families, and peers. Their success is a testament to their diligence, resilience, and the guidance of those who have helped shape their journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">The commencement ceremony serves as a distinguished occasion to celebrate their achievements and formally recognize their transition from students to alumni. We invite you to join us in honoring their dedication and witnessing the newest graduates of UMES as they embark on their future endeavors with confidence and purpose.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-hero-main-bg-color-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1703\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2138\" style=\"width:541px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-2048x1363.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Friday, May 16, 2025 | 10:00am &#8211; 12:00pm<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>William P. Hytche Arena<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:26px\"><strong>Commencement Photographs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-hero-main-bg-color-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/archives\/spring-2025-commencement\/2025-commencement-gallery\/\">View Spring 2025 Commencement Photos<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<div aria-label=\"Carousel Gallery\" class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-carousel alignwide mb-0\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery-carousel-swiper-container is-cropped coblocks-gallery has-border-radius-8 has-caption-style-dark has-horizontal-gutter has-lightbox has-no-thumbnails\"><div class=\"has-carousel has-carousel-lrg swiper-container has-responsive-height\" data-swiper=\"{&quot;alignCells&quot;:false,&quot;autoPlay&quot;:true,&quot;autoPlaySpeed&quot;:&quot;5000&quot;,&quot;draggable&quot;:false,&quot;freeMode&quot;:false,&quot;loop&quot;:true,&quot;navigation&quot;:false,&quot;pageDots&quot;:false,&quot;pauseHover&quot;:false,&quot;responsiveHeight&quot;:true,&quot;slidesPerView&quot;:2,&quot;thumbnails&quot;:false,&quot;uuid&quot;:&quot;12345&quot;}\" style=\"height:400px\"><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-10 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-10 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2114\" data-id=\"2114\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/archives\/spring-2025-commencement\/image-2\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-1024x819.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\"><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"1\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-10 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-10 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2139\" data-id=\"2139\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/archives\/spring-2025-commencement\/dsc_2085\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2085-1024x681.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2085-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2085-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2085-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2085-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2085-2048x1363.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\"><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"2\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-10 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-10 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"840\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2136\" data-id=\"2136\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/archives\/spring-2025-commencement\/td2-umesgraduation-051625-8090\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/TD2-UMESGraduation-051625-8090-1024x840.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/TD2-UMESGraduation-051625-8090-1024x840.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/TD2-UMESGraduation-051625-8090-300x246.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/TD2-UMESGraduation-051625-8090-768x630.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/TD2-UMESGraduation-051625-8090-1536x1260.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/TD2-UMESGraduation-051625-8090-2048x1679.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\"><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"3\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-10 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-10 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2137\" data-id=\"2137\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/archives\/spring-2025-commencement\/image-88\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/Image-88-1024x683.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/Image-88-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/Image-88-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/Image-88-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/Image-88-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\"><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"4\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-10 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-10 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2138\" data-id=\"2138\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/archives\/spring-2025-commencement\/dsc_2074\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-1024x681.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/DSC_2074-2048x1363.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\"><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-hero-main-bg-color-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:26px\"><strong>Keynote Speaker<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pr\/umes-welcomes-maryland-gov-wes-moore-as-spring-graduation-speaker\/\">Maryland Governor Wes Moore<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wes Moore&nbsp;is the 63rd Governor of Maryland and the state\u2019s first Black governor. A bestselling author, combat veteran, and former CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, Moore has dedicated his career to public service and economic opportunity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1676\" height=\"1370\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-1.png 1676w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-1-300x245.png 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-1-1024x837.png 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-1-768x628.png 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-1-1536x1256.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1676px) 100vw, 1676px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:26px\"><strong>Livestream<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">View a live stream of the 2025 Spring Commencement below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"UMES - 2025 Spring Commencement\" width=\"1330\" height=\"748\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ol1C2LzH9pc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-hero-main-bg-color-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized has-lightbox\"><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/umes.edu\/docs\/spring_commencement_2025_program?fr=sZTcyMzg0NDA0NzI\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"844\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-844x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2182\" style=\"width:294px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-844x1024.png 844w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-247x300.png 247w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-768x932.png 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-1265x1536.png 1265w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2.png 1393w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 844px) 100vw, 844px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:26px\"><strong>Program Book<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/umes.edu\/docs\/spring_commencement_2025_program?fr=sZTcyMzg0NDA0NzI\">View Book<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-color-bg-alt-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:26px\"><strong>Graduates Spotlight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get to know some of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore\u2019s incredible graduates. See the preview below and visit the full Graduate Spotlight page for more inspiring stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-2-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kenesha Deshields<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Administrative Assistant in the Office of Leadership and Engagement, she\u2019s also a dual enrollment student at UMES and Salisbury University, earning degrees in Sociology and Social Work. After first attending UMES in 2003, she returned to work at the university in 2020 and re-enrolled a year later. Driven by her compassion and love for helping others, she says her major \u201cchose her.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pr\/the-power-of-finishing\/\">read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1296\" height=\"863\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-3.png 1296w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-3-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-3-1024x682.png 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-3-768x511.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1296px) 100vw, 1296px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Quinton Smith&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Quinton Smith, from Newark, New Jersey, became the youngest Mr. UMES in just his second year and co-founded&nbsp;Men Achieving their Dreams in Education (MADE), a mentoring group for young Black and brown men. A first-generation college graduate, he plans to pursue a master\u2019s degree in education to continue shaping and supporting young minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\">read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1297\" height=\"862\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-4.png 1297w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-4-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-4-1024x681.png 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/06\/image-4-768x510.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1297px) 100vw, 1297px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kaleigha Hayes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">A Computer Science major with a focus in data analytics from Calvert County, Maryland. Inspired by her father\u2019s love for building and fixing things, she found her passion in tech. A memorable UMES campus tour led her to become a tour guide herself. In summer 2023, she interned with the Department of Homeland Security and was selected to attend DEF CON as a delegate. Kaleigha is also a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, the National Society of Black Engineers, Women of Distinction, WORTH, and served as&nbsp;Ms. Iota Phi Theta 24-25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-circular\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pr\/the-power-of-finishing\/\">read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The University of Maryland Eastern Shore takes great pride in the perseverance and dedication demonstrated by our graduating students. This milestone signifies not only their unwavering commitment to academic excellence but also the invaluable support of their mentors, families, and peers. Their success is a testament to their diligence, resilience, and the guidance of those&#8230;<span class=\"cpschool-read-more-link-holder\"><a class=\"btn btn-basic cpschool-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/archives\/spring-2025-commencement\/\">Read more <span class=\"sr-only\">Spring 2025 Commencement<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2163,"featured_media":2190,"parent":2081,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"folder":[],"class_list":["post-2083","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2163"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2083"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2083\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2081"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=2083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}