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December 21, 2021

Winter 2021 Recognition of Graduates

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EST
Students at UMD Commencement Ceremony wearing caps and gowns

Location: Online

The University of Maryland has canceled all winter commencement activities, including the main ceremony scheduled for December 20 and all college, school and department ceremonies scheduled for December 21 and 22.

As President Pines notes in his message announcing the cancellation, "This decision was not made lightly. We know how important this time is for our winter graduates and their families, but our first responsibility must continue to be the health and well-being of our community. All winter graduates will be invited to the spring ceremony in May."

Join us for the livestream on Tuesday, December 21 at 6 pm EST in lieu of the planned commencement ceremony at https://youtu.be/h2h-nKLU9XE 

 

The following message was sent to graduating SPH students on Friday, December 17. 

Dear SPH graduates,

By now you all have probably seen the disappointing news that all university commencement ceremonies have been cancelled. 

While we’ve experienced many disappointments and losses over the course of the pandemic, I know that this latest news feels devastating for our students and their families. 

Our faculty and staff have all been operating with excitement and optimism as we anticipated celebrating our 305 School of Public Health graduates in just a few days. And though we too are very saddened by the turn of events, I commend the decision by university leadership, made in consultation with public health officials, to cancel these large gatherings that could jeopardize the health of our community. 

Please know that while we won’t be able to celebrate the culmination of your hard work and success in person this month, we look forward to doing so in Spring 2022 when you will be invited to return for commencement. 

We are planning to recognize and congratulate our graduates in lieu of our planned commencement on Tuesday, December 21. While this will not be a complete commencement ceremony, we invite you to watch the livestream at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. I will be joined by Gloria Aparicio-Blackwell, the founding director of the Office of Community Engagement at the University of Maryland, and Ikechuwkwu O. Ekwunife '21 (Kinesiology) to recognize our amazing SPH grads.

As graduates of the School of Public Health, you have learned first-hand these past two years that we must base policy decisions to protect health on the best and latest science and data. When that hasn’t happened it has too often led to tragic, and preventable, illness and death. 

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maryland have more than doubled over the last few weeks. Public school systems throughout our region have seen dramatic spikes in COVID-19 infections and our highly vaccinated university community has experienced a significant increase in cases. 

With the convergence of the Delta and Omicron variants circulating in our community, it is very clear that we must remain vigilant against the virus. The most important thing everyone can do right now is to get fully vaccinated (which includes a booster shot as soon as you are eligible). And combined with being fully vaccinated, wearing a well-fitting, protective (N95 or similar) mask continues to be an important and simple way to contain the spread of the virus. 

We all look forward to emerging from the global coronavirus pandemic and having a sustained period of time with less uncertainty and the anxiety and stress that accompany it. Our School of Public Health students have been so resilient through all of our recent challenges and I am grateful for that and for your future roles as public health leaders. 

I hope that you will safely celebrate the completion of your degree with your family and friends. I can’t wait to congratulate you in person in the future. Best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday break and a joyous New Year. 


Boris D. Lushniak, MD, MPH
Dean and Professor 
University of Maryland School of Public Health

 

View the Winter 2021 School of Public Health Commencement Program


View the UMD Commencement Program 

Winter Commencement Speaker: Gloria Aparicio-Blackwell

Gloria Aparicio Blackwell

Gloria Aparicio-Blackwell is the founding director of the Office of Community Engagement at the University of Maryland. 

Through advocacy, planning, service, partnerships, and storytelling, Ms. Aparicio-Blackwell and her team build bridges between the university and the surrounding neighborhoods. She has been at the university for more than 24 years.  

Her work is based on building long-lasting relationships, learning community challenges, opportunities and assets, fostering a sense of trust, and listening to the stories unfolding in the community.  With that knowledge in mind, she convenes campus stakeholders, community leaders, residents, faith-based, non-profits, government agencies, and businesses to work together and explore solutions, resources, ideas, towards the common good.

Ms. Aparicio-Blackwell serves on the School of Public Health’s Community Advisory Council and is an important participant and facilitator of some of the school’s community engagement activities, including the work led by the Center for Health Equity to increase COVID-19 vaccinations through Black-owned barbershops and beauty salons

Before coming to the University of Maryland in 1997, Gloria worked in safety and fire management at Potomac Electric Power Company and for higher education institutions, including American University and Montgomery College (as a student worker).

Ms. Aparicio Blackwell has been awarded prestigious recognitions, most recently, the state of Maryland Census Champions as well as the Latin American Youth Center Outstanding Community & Youth Award, the President’s Distinguished Service Award under the category of Public Service at the University of Maryland, Rotary Club of College Park Citizen Award, and the Governor’s Certificate of Merit for Crime Prevention in the State of Maryland. 

Outside of her work, Aparicio-Blackwell serves on various organizations, including as a trustee on the Montgomery College Board of Trustees, board member of Non-Profit Prince George’s, and the Association of Community Colleges Latino Caucus. 

Winter Commencement Student Speaker: Ikechuwkwu "Ike" Ekwunife

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology

Ike Ekwunife

A native of Anambra, Nigeria, Ikechukwu "Ike" Ekwunife graduated with honors from Prince George's Community College before transferring to the University of Maryland in Fall 2019.

Ike has served as an active member of Gymkana and Phi Alpha Epsilon, as the communications chair for the Southern Management Leadership Program and as a mentor with the College Mentors for Success program all while working in customer service and at a physical therapy clinic.

Passionate about giving back, Ike volunteers his time working with underserved communities in the United States and Africa. His goal is to inspire and help others, especially African American youth. For Ike, there is no greater joy than helping people recognize the potential they have within themselves to succeed while prioritizing their mental health and well-being. In Fall 2022, Ike will begin a doctoral program in physical therapy.

Post-graduation, he hopes to work in sports medicine and open his own practice in Nigeria, promoting the importance of physical wellness, exercise and nutrition.