If there was ever a group of students more deserving—and ready—to walk across a commencement stage, it was the class of 2024. Freshly pressed gowns and decorated caps could not detract from the smiles beaming off the parade of undergraduates as they weaved through a standing-room-only Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts auditorium–their first “real” graduation after COVID put high school ceremonies online.
The undergraduate ceremony was one of two hosted this year by the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation honoring over 150 undergraduates and 55 graduate students, including two doctoral candidates. The ceremony also included students who earned degrees in the Fall of 2023.
Yiselle Santos Rivera, principal and director of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for HOK, reminded students to embrace curiosity during moments of uncertainty in her keynote speech, and to keep faith and courage in navigating their paths.
“These days, I’m less apologetic and a bit more courageous,” she said. “When I see an opportunity to make an impact, I take it. Sometimes, it’s as simple as showing up. Showing up and listening!”
At the graduate ceremony, Ph.D. alum and Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Utah, Arnab Chakraborty ‘07 reminded students how lucky they were to be a part of the University of Maryland community—an institution that initially rejected him for graduate school.
“Over the last few years, I am sure you have learnt a few things about yourselves and made a friend or two,” he said. “If you nourish this, these will be your friends for life; your guides when you need advice, your support in difficult times and those who celebrate your successes with you.”
Scroll down for more highlights from MAPP’s 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremony. To see all the pictures from the event, visit go.umd.edu/mapp-spring24-commencement.
