December 2021
A newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends
Jordan White
UMES celebrates a rare double commencement
COVID-19 kept the class of 2020 at home for a virtual event
Tina Ko
University of Maryland Eastern Shore seniors who endured a revised, recalibrated and rebranded undergraduate experience under the pall of a persistent global pandemic completed that arduous journey Dec. 17 with a time-honored rite of passage – commencement. Graduates were joined by a handful of alumni from the class of 2020. President Heidi M. Anderson invited them to the Hytche Athletic Center to be recognized in person as well for their accomplishment that initially was celebrated a year ago in a recorded virtual ceremony. Among the 179 students who completed their degree work this fall was Ciani C. Wells, an English major from Philadelphia with a 4.0 grade point average. Wells successfully auditioned to deliver the student commentary, another highlight on her resume that shows she earned her degree in 3½ years and has designs on going to law school next fall. “We stand here transformed into accomplished and sophisticated young adults ready to face the world head on,” Wells assured her classmates. “Today, we are more knowledgeable … we have more courage … we feel more confident,” she said. “Today, we are more certain of our
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Faculty News
Julia de Huarte
Student and Staff News Q&A with NAA President
Commencement 2021
passion ... we have more experience under our belts … we are more comfortable with sharing our talents and our gifts.” “Today,” she said, “we are more aware than ever of our individual greatness and our ability to succeed.” Jordan L. Kelly of Bridgeton, N.J. also graduated a semester early, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in rehabilitation psychology with a minor in psychology. While at UMES, she played softball and tennis. After graduation, she plans to pursue special education citing her work experience with young children (toddlers) and the importance of that work. “Being at UMES taught me to get out of my comfort zone and helped me to be more independent,” Kelly said. “It allowed me to have new experiences and be more open minded. Kenny R. Davis Jr. earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering with honors. Davis grew up in Parsonsburg, Md. just east of Salisbury, a small, tight-knit farming community. He’s the first in his immediate family to Commencement continued on page 2
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White House HBCU Press Briefing
Page 9 Small Farm Conf. STEM Festival
Page 10 Essay Contest on Summer of Soul
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Happy Holidays