#TUtogether while apart: Recapping Celebration of Graduates Week

Towson University celebrated Spring 2020 graduates with a week of virtual events while plans for an in-person celebration are underway.

May 25, 2020

Celebration of Graduates Week

While the ceremonies for Towson University's newest alumni may be on hold, the celebrating commenced nonetheless.

A special weeklong Celebration of Graduates took place beginning May 18 — the week that would have initially included the planned spring commencement ceremonies for the 3,440 students — both graduates and undergraduates — who earned their degrees.

TU graduates, their families, faculty, staff, alumni and students are still encouraged to share in the celebration by using #TUtogether[BROKEN LINK] on social media.

Here's a day-by-day look back at how the TU community came together to honor the seniors and graduate students who completed their degrees at the culmination of the spring term:

Monday, May 18

The week began with congratulations from famous alum, local legends and distinguished friends eager to honor TU’s newest grads.

The video includes messages of congratulations from the likes of National Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., Gov. Larry Hogan, TU Provost Melanie Perreault and President Kim Schatzel. It also includes a series of alumni, including Amy Schumer '03 and Baltimore newscasters Bob Turk '69 and Patrice Saunders '95, among others. Graduate Student Association President Mia Williams delivers a message on behalf of graduating students.

"I was happy to see nothing was going to stop TU's streak of graduations and we're all here to celebrate your accomplishment," Ripken said.

Schumer lightheartedly consoled her now-fellow TU alumni waiting on their in-person commencement before she added, "Go out and change the world."

Tuesday, May 19

On Tuesday, TU shared a video from the students in the College of Fine Arts and Communication — a stirring rendition of the Towson University Alma Mater.

Graduates and TU community members were encouraged to share their own versions in celebration with #TUtogether.

Wednesday, May 20

Graduates who were to have their in-person commencement on Wednesday received a surprise t-shirt from the university to celebrate their degrees. The new alums from College of Health Professions, College of Education and Fisher College of Science and Mathematics were encouraged to share photos in their shirts with #TUtogether.

CHP shared a tribute / pinning ceremony on Facebook:

 

Thank you Sofia Rizzuto '20 for creating this amazing tribute to our Nursing Graduates! Who says you can't do a virtual pinning ceremony?

Posted by Towson University College of Health Professions on Thursday, May 21, 2020

While COE faculty wished grads well with a video:

 

Thursday, May 21

Graduates who were to have their in-person commencement on Thursday received a surprise t-shirt from the university to celebrate their degrees. The new alums from College of Liberal Arts, College of Fine Arts & Communication and College of Business & Economics were encouraged to share photos in their shirts with #TUtogether.

COFAC shared the video of its students performing the Alma Mater:

While CBE wished congrats to graduates with an Instagram post:

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Students shared plenty of celebrations, too.

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Alums got in on the act, too!

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Friday, May 22

Graduates were sent surprise gifts from the Office of Alumni Relations to welcome them to the community of 150,000-plus Tigers alums. The new alums were encouraged to share their gifts in celebration with #TUtogether.

Join in the celebration

There's plenty more coverage in the TU newsroom, too. There were unique celebrations for affinity groups, and it took two stories — one here, another here — to highlight many of the decorated graduates with small stories recapping their successes at TU.

Find more highlights from the week on a special #TUtogether page.