Five unforgettable moments from 2022 Spring Commencement at Towson University

May 27, 2022

From May 25-27, Towson University celebrated graduates at three Commencement ceremonies and a Doctoral Hooding ceremony, bringing the total TU alumni count to more than 186,000. In total, there were 5,704 degree candidates honored from the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters.

All of them created a unique memory as their academic careers culminated and they crossed the stage.

Here are five special moments from the week of celebrations.

“Leading voice for change”

Dr. Hanna-Attisha, served as the 2022 University Commencement speaker during a morning ceremony at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Wednesday, May 25. She inspired the more than 1,100 graduates of the Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science & Mathematics and the College of Fine Arts & Communication with her remarks.

In 2015, the pediatrician brought a national spotlight to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, when she publicly announced her findings that thousands of children and local residents were lead poisoning victims due to the highly polluted tap water in the region. She faced backlash and attacks on her credibility, but persisted with sharing her research.

“Your generation has been the leading voice for change, and you are powerfully poised to be the most influential generation of our time,” she said. “Like never before, you have stood up for justice, democracy, equality, and opportunity. You have opened your eyes to the inequities that are all around us and you have demanded we do better.”

Spotting President Schatzel

President Kim Schatzel reminded graduates that they are always Tigers — both during the Commencement ceremonies and after. President Schatzel was seen throughout post-Commencement celebrations congratulating TU’s newest graduates personally and posing for photographs.

“You will forever be part of Towson University,” the president told graduates. “Please keep coming back and please keep giving back so that we can continue to build on the legacy that Towson University a most special place.”

 

Grads rising

Six student speakers addressed their classmates at the three days of Commencement ceremonies with emotional recollections and calls to action.

Kobe Highter, who graduated from TU with degrees in both electronic media and film and mass communications, reflected May 25 on the identity and place he found at TU.

Highter said, “Who would have thought that a simple sentence of ‘I am’ would have led to four years of discovery, vulnerability and connectivity?”

Taryn Painter, a first-generation student, spoke of how she discovered a sense of leadership on campus, saying, “our education is a gift. We have a duty to apply our knowledge to improve the world.”

A history and political science major, Painter is among the first graduates with a minor in human rights and history, a new program in 2019.

The speeches will be available for viewing at TU's Vimeo account .

Doctoral Hooding

On Wednesday, May 25, the Office of Graduate Studies hosted a Doctoral Hooding ceremony inside the University Union Ballrooms—TU’s first such ceremony in school history.

Rebecca Sykes, who received her entry-level occupational therapy doctorate, said, “Being recognized for our work is honestly icing on the cake. I know we’re so proud of ourselves as a cohort, but this ceremony lets us share our excitement with other people that supported us during grad school.”

Check out the Towson University Flickr account for photos from the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony.

Hitting the right notes

Musicians performed at all ceremonies, giving their time and talent to the TU community, graduates and their families. The Towson University Commencement Ensemble, led by director Luis Engelke, was comprised of TU music faculty, students, alumni and friends.

In addition, the Towson University Drumline, under the direction of John Miliauskas and Taylor Yowziak, helped cap off the ceremonies with spirit.

During the ceremonies, the National Anthem and TU’s Alma Mater were performed by singers, including Kellen Johnson '22, Kelly Canady '22 and Troy Kroger '22.