TU celebrates historic week of Commencement ceremonies
Health care executive Nancy M. Schlichting offers inspiring advice to graduates of Towson University’s College of Health Professions
May 23, 2021
Towson University completed an unforgettable week of commencement ceremonies — ten in all — May 17 through May 21 at Johnny Unitas® Stadium. Classes from 2020 and 2021 returned to campus to be honored by TU's leadership for their dedication and achievement.
Leading health care executive Nancy M. Schlichting served as Towson University's 2021 University Commencement speaker, delivering remarks during the College of Health Professions (CHP) Commencement ceremony May 17 that opened the week.
During the course of the week, TU celebrated 9,150 combined members of the 2020 and 2021 classes. More than 35,000 guests were expected at the ceremonies. The commencements marked TU’s first in-person graduation since December 2019. That garnered media coverage from across Baltimore, including WMAR, WBAL-TV and WJZ.
WBAL's Tim Tooten in particular spotlighted the hundreds of TU staff and faculty who contributed to the commencement week celebrations, the first outdoor ceremonies held at TU since 2005. Traditionally, commencement ceremonies are held indoors at SECU Arena. Each day followed a schedule, with a ceremony at 9 a.m. and another at 2 p.m.
TU, the largest provider of health professionals in Maryland, presented Schlichting with an honorary degree. She told 319 CHP graduates that they enter a healthcare profession dramatically impacted by the pandemic. As TU graduates, she said they are uniquely trained to make a large difference in their community.
"Change is desirable and an inherent part of healthcare, as we always strive to do things better," Schlichting said. "The dynamic nature of healthcare will keep you challenged and engaged throughout your life."
Schlichting addressed CHP graduates amid a pandemic when many nursing graduates entered the workforce early or helped administer doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
"I wish you much happiness and success in the best career you could have ever chosen - serving human kind as a healthcare professional," Schlichting said.
At the same time, she encouraged them to enjoy this moment and many more to come.
"Life is not a dress rehearsal," she said. "Make sure you don't miss the important events, time with family and friends and a little fun built into every day,"
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Later on May 17, 382 graduates from the College of Business and Economics (CBE) and the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) crossed the stage.
On May 18, new graduates from the College of Liberal Arts walked across the stage. Later in the afternoon, 379 new alumni from the College of Education and the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics were celebrated.
President Kim Schatzel told graduates, "You will forever be part of Towson University."
On May 19, the commencements began with Fisher graduates, while COFAC’s latest alumni ended the day. On May 20, COE opened the morning’s celebrations while CLA walked in the afternoon. On May 21, the final day of commencements, CHP was celebrated during the morning ceremony, while CBE closed out the historic week.
See more pictures from the Towson University's week of commencements by visiting TU's Flickr account.
