For the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s winter class of 2025, various journeys converged to achieve the ultimate goal – to see years of work pay dividends.
On Saturday, 230 students saw their late nights, intense study sessions, and tough dissertation defenses rewarded as their respective undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees were conferred during UMES’ 28th Winter Commencement ceremony.
“Many of us in this room have stories filled with stress, laughter, memories we’ll never forget, and even tears,” said Terrell Lawrence, of Bowie, Maryland, a business administration major selected to give the student commentary. “There were also moments when life outside of school hit harder than anything inside a classroom. But through it all, we persevered, and here we are, ready to take on the world with full force.”
For Lloyd Dunbar, a general studies major from Owings Mills, Maryland, the ceremony culminated what he described as a “transformative journey.” Commencement also had twofold importance for Dunbar since he was a first-generation college student unable to attend his high school graduation due to the pandemic.
“It’s a pretty big experience,” he said. “I came in as a young kid looking for the option to do better for myself and do something different than what I saw growing up.”
Derionah Abner’s path to Princess Anne began as a junior college transfer looking to play volleyball while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The Orlando, Florida native and former All-MEAC conference honoree walked across the stage on Saturday for the second time, as she received her master’s in rehabilitation counseling.
“It has shown me how far I’ve come and where I’ve come from,” she said. “Being able to play ball at the level I did, getting two degrees, and being the first in my family to get my master’s, I have a lot of thankfulness and gratefulness.”
Shymir Coakley, of Salisbury, Maryland, was familiar with UMES, even participating in the Upward Bound program on campus in high school. While his collegiate journey started elsewhere, his next destination led back to UMES.
Coakley said it was at UMES where he found his calling, majoring in finance.
“UMES is a great place for opportunity if you go looking for it,” he said. “If you’re willing to put your best foot forward and stay focused, you’ll come out on top.”
During her graduation remarks, UMES President Heidi M. Anderson addressed the newest hawks leaving the nest, letting them know the importance of this day in their journey into making their mark on the world.
“This is a day that will be remembered because it is a key milestone in your lives,” she said. “The ideals and traditions you have experienced at UMES will be forever a part of your life. And you will occupy a unique and lasting place in the life and history of this University.”
Lawrence, in his parting words, told the audience that the lessons he and his fellow graduates have learned are meant to be an aid on their next journey, but not dictate it.
“The future doesn’t come with a syllabus,” he said. “However, the same strength, discipline, and faith that carried us through these years will continue to carry us forward.”
