Commencement Schedule
The University of Maryland’s 2025 main commencement will be held on Wednesday, May 21 in SECU Stadium. Guests will be allowed to enter once the gates open at 5 p.m. the student processional is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Each graduate from the summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters are allowed one personal ticket and six guest tickets at the main commencement ceremony. Tickets are required to enter the event. Children two and under do not require a ticket. The ceremony will also be live-streamed for those that cannot attend in-person.
This year, guests will be required to adhere to a clear bag policy. Tote bags must be no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”, while clutches are limited to a maximum 4.5” by 6.5”. Purses, backpacks and other bags are prohibited from entering the venue.
Campus parking will be free from May 20 to May 23, but this university warns that local construction could cause traffic delays in the area.
In case of a weather delay, this university will move the ceremony to Thursday, May 22, retaining the same hours from the original date.
All graduates are required to wear regalia to the ceremony. Cap decorating is allowed.
For tickets, details and more information about this university’s 2025 commencement, visit commencement.umd.edu.
ADELE H. STAMP MEMORIAL AWARD
Konchok Chophel
MODEL CITIZENSHIP PRIZES & ELKINS FINALISTS AND MEMBERS OF THE MARYLAND MEDALLION SOCIETY
Reese Artero
Carter Austin
Yara Ayache
Hannah Breslau
Christopher Celarie
Jhennifer Celestino Alva
Sophia D’Alonzo
Lily Fleischmann
Sarang Han
Erika Holdren
Jahnavi Kirkire
Rhiannon Little
Abigail Manga
Mason Minus
Alyssa Orlando
Bryant Rivera Cortez
Robin Schlesinger
Helen Wang
Xiao-Lian Warren
Kaitlyn Zhou
MODEL CITIZENSHIP PRIZES
Yara Ayache
Jahnavi Kirkire
WILSON H. ELKINS AWARD
Reese Artero
CAMILLE K. RAJPAT MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT JUDICIARY
Cassie Laguerre
CHRISTOPHER CAREY CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
Elise Roen
COL. J. LOGAN SCHUTZ
ODK LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Alyssa Orlando
GREEK LEADER OF THE YEAR
Jennifer Yeon
JAMES H. KEHOE & ETHEL KESLER AWARD
Kaylin Baumiller
JAMES OTIS WILLIAMS CULTURAL
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Rhiley Jones
JOHN B. SLAUGHTER
OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD
Afia Obeng
KIRWAN AWARD
Dhruvak Mirani
LA RAZA UNIDA AWARD
Alexa Figueroa
LINDA CLEMENT OUTSTANDING ADVISOR AWARD
Rosemary D. L. Sutter
LORDE – O’LEARY AWARD
Allison Li
MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE AWARD
Autumn K. Ballard
MILDRED & RICHARD LOVING AWARD
Melania Driver
OMICRON DELTA KAPPA AWARDS
TOP TEN FRESHMEN
Edwin Cao
SriMahi Ghorakavi
Braylen Haynes
Aine Heron
Miles Hubbard
Barbara Kaczmarek
Riya Khatri
Arjun Mohan
Taryn Reinhart
Priya Tyagi
SOPHOMORE LEADER OF THE YEAR
Uchechi Mba
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT
ASSEMBLY MEMBER AWARD
Nora Shayne E Jameson
RESIDENT ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Shalom Tsegaye
SARAH WINNEMUCCA AWARD
Abigail Hardy
SPIRIT OF MARYLAND AWARD
Jahnavi Kirkire
Mason Minus
STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Emma DeBerdine
Jaxon Smith
STUDENT WELLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY AWARD
Kathryn Wolfthal
THE WILLIAM L. THOMAS STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AWARD
Reese Artero
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GRADUATE STUDENT DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
M Pease (Doctoral)
Ciara Kyler (Masters)
VERA CRUZ-KOCHIYAMA AWARD
Imaan Shikoh UMD honored outstanding students, faculty and staff on May 4, 2025 at the 44th Annual University Student Leadership Awards Banquet. We congratulate them on their outstanding contributions!
Seniors reflect on their time at UMD
With graduation just a few weeks away, seniors are beginning to reminisce on their time here at the University of Maryland.
Four graduating students gave The Diamondback a sneak peek into their experience at this university. From cherished memories to words of advice, they were eager to share how this university changed their lives.
Jessica Kalmowitz
Kalmowitz, a communication major, started her freshman year knowing no one. She became even more nervous when she found out she’d be living in Kent Hall, a suite style dorm on South Campus, instead of one of the high rise dorms that typically house freshmen.
When her and her roommates needed help putting up LED lights during move-in, they decided to knock on the door across the hall to ask the boys living there for help.
From that moment on, Kalmowitz had a friend group, one she described as similar to the titular 20-somethings in Friends.
“It was us against the world, and we did friendsgiving together, we went ice skating together, we literally did everything together,” she said.
While half of the group has already graduated, Kalmowitz continues to remain in touch with all of them, and has this university to thank for these lifelong friendships.
Her advice to younger students is to take advantage of the resources the school offers, whether that be through the career center, academic advisors or platforms such as Handshake, which helps students find jobs and internships.
After graduation, Kalmowitz plans to stay in
By Keira Hardesty I Staff writer
Washington, D.C. for a few weeks to attend a music festival, before embarking on a monthlong trip through Southern Europe.
Olivia Benevento
“I would say Maryland has really impacted pretty much every facet of my life, and I’ve seen myself grow as a person in so many ways,” said Benevento, a criminology and criminal justice and psychology major.
Some of her favorite memories come from being a tour guide, an experience that helped her overcome her fear of public speaking and gain confidence in herself. Interacting with prospective students and families has been a highlight of her time at this university, she said.
Taking classes and joining clubs at this university also helped her realize her passion for victim advocacy. Students should push themselves to get involved and make an impact on campus, because putting yourself out there can help you learn more about yourself, she said.
“I realized that I could tackle different issues and different life challenges,” Benevento said.
After graduation, she will be exploring various state parks before working as a paralegal in Washington, D.C.
Jasmine Hall
As a transfer student from community college, Hall, an American studies and studio art major, wasn’t sure she’d like Maryland due to its large size.
A favorite memory from being at this university was attending the First Look Fair, which made her feel like she was in the movie Pitch Perfect. Being able to take specific and fun classes that she wasn’t able to take at community college was another highlight, she said.
Hall said her time at this university taught her to be bolder.
“I think I was so used to being like, ‘OK, if something’s difficult, or if I don’t feel like it’s easy to talk to somebody I should just not.’ And I think being in like, a big environment like this … I feel like that was good for me,” said Hall.
Her advice to younger students is “you get out what you put in.” She said students should develop relationships with professors and work hard on projects, because it will make you more excited about your classes.
Hall said she’ll miss the campus and the friends she’s made from her time here. After graduation, she plans to paint professionally and work in art museums.
Arsalan Siddiqui
Siddiqui has spent the past six years at this university and will be completing his master’s degree in bioengineering this semester.
He described his time at this university as “absolutely phenomenal.”
Siddiqui was able to form long-lasting friendships while being a part of the Muslim Student Association on campus, which he was a member of for all six years.
He served as the president of the University System of Maryland Student Council, where he was able to build his confidence, leadership and public speaking skills. He was also able to initiate a scholarship for graduate and undergraduate students that he still helps to oversee.
After college Siddiqui will be working at a company he co-founded with the Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices during his time as a student, where he will be developing a medical device that helps patients after they have their esophagus removed.
His advice for younger students is to branch out and to prioritize academics while also giving yourself grace during times of difficulty.
“Don’t be afraid to try new things,” Siddiqui said. “Try your best to jump outside of your comfort zone and make the most out of your time.”
Jasmine Hall, a senior studying American studies and studio art, poses for a portrait near the Memorial Chapel on April 25, 2025. (Sam Cohen/The Diamondback)
Senior communication major Jessica Kalmowitz stands in front of a tree located next to the chapel on April 24, 2025. (Clare roth/The Diamondback)
