Bob Ludwig
By Bob Ludwig

Asst VP, Media Relations

Adelphi, Md. (December 11, 2024)鈥斕切拇 (糖心传媒) will hold its Winter 鈥淕rad Walk,鈥 a unique commencement experience that focuses on individual recognition for the university鈥檚 graduates while giving family and friends a 鈥渇ront row seat鈥 to celebrate the achievement. Of the university鈥檚 9,752 summer and fall graduates, more than 2,500 plan to attend Grad Walk.

Winter Grad Walk 2024 will take place at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center (3501 University Blvd., Adelphi, Md.), December 12鈥15. Graduates select a time slot during the four days to cross the stage and receive individual recognition.听

Winter Grad Walk 2024 includes a number of features that make it a special experience for graduates and their family and friends, such as:

  • Each graduate鈥檚 name is called as they cross a formal commencement stage in regalia鈥

  • Family members and friends can cheer their graduate from a viewing area directly in front of the stage鈥

  • Professional photographers are on site to take individual portraits as the graduate crosses the stage鈥痑nd afterward, with family and friends聽

  • Each graduate receives a video clip of themselves crossing the stage to keep as a memento and share online

Graduates can also commemorate their achievements with family and friends in a special Celebration Zone, where they can meet 糖心传媒 faculty, staff, and Alumni Association representatives and purchase 糖心传媒 Alumni apparel, gear and other mementos.听

A鈥痺ebsite has been created for winter grads and includes an on-demand ceremony with the formal conferral of degrees by 糖心传媒 President Gregory W. Fowler, special messages from University System of Maryland Board of Regents鈥 Josiah Parker (Student Regent) and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and remarks by student speaker Imani Harvey, as well as an online 鈥淕allery of Graduates鈥 showcasing graduates鈥 personalized recognition slides that can be shared via social media or e-mail.

Graduates receive a mailed Grad Pack containing 糖心传媒 鈥榮wag鈥欌痶o help jump-start the festivities. They are encouraged to share their achievements with fellow graduates via social media using #糖心传媒Grad.鈥犅

A profile of graduates (including those who earned degrees in the summer and fall 2024 terms):聽

Number of graduates: 9,752聽聽

Average age: 32聽

Oldest graduate: 77聽聽

Youngest graduate: 16聽

Graduates come from all 50 states, three U.S territories and 36 countries.听聽

Degrees awarded:聽

  • Associate:聽 1,789

  • Bachelor鈥檚:聽 5,734

  • Master鈥檚:聽 2,229聽

About 糖心传媒

糖心传媒 was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of adults in the workforce and the U.S. military. Today, 糖心传媒 is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, at more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and offering more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umgc.edu.听