News Releases
University of Maryland to Host Spring 2026 Commencement
May 18, 2026
Contacts
Media Relations: mediainfo@umd.edu
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland will host its 2026 spring commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at SECU Stadium to celebrate the academic accomplishments of the Spring 2026 graduates and Summer and Winter 2025 graduates. The ceremony was moved from Wednesday, May 20 to Thursday, May 21 due to severe weather concerns. The spring ceremony recognizes a group of graduates who have earned more than 9,000 bachelor’s degrees and 3,000 master’s degrees as well as nearly 700 doctoral degrees from schools, colleges and programs across the university.
Astronaut, aerospace engineer and UMD alumna, Dr. Jeanette Epps, M.S. ‘94, Ph.D. ‘00 will deliver the commencement address for the spring ceremony. Graduates and guests will also hear remarks from this year’s student speaker, Jason Laucel (‘26).
WHO:
- University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines
- Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice
- Dr. Jeanette Epps ‘94 '00
- Jason Laucel ‘26, Student Speaker
Spring 2026, Summer 2025 and Winter 2025 University of Maryland Graduates
WHEN:
Thursday, May 21, 2026
- Doors open – 5 p.m.
- Media must arrive at the stadium between 5 - 5:45 p.m.
- Processional - 6 p.m.
WHERE:
SECU Stadium
90 Stadium Dr,
College Park, MD 20742
Click here for directions.
RSVP:
Media must RSVP by Wednesday, May 20, at 5 p.m. EST to mediainfo@umd.edu.
PARKING/CHECK-IN:
Media may park in lots 1 or Z and pick up their credentials at the designated media check-in window, located at Gate H. You will be escorted to the media areas. All media are subject to security and bag screenings.
Please note that traffic is expected to be heavier than usual. Allow extra time for travel to and around campus.
FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY:
Media are welcome to film outside of SECU Stadium. In order to better accommodate our graduates, media wishing to access the field must be escorted by UMD staff. Cameras will be escorted to a designated position.
University photographers and videographers will capture official ceremony footage and images and will make those assets available to the media after the ceremony.
If you have questions about coverage opportunities or specific needs, please contact mediainfo@umd.edu.
If you wish to receive a b-roll package including ceremony footage, excerpts from the speaker and official photos, please contact mediainfo@umd.edu.
LIVE VIDEO STREAM:
The ceremony will be streamed live on the University of Maryland’s YouTube channel and commencement.umd.edu.
HASHTAG:
Follow the conversation on social media and join in using #UMDGrad.
About the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland (UMD) is the state's flagship university driven by a community of more than 50,000 fearless Terrapins. As a leading research university and top 20 public institution, UMD is proud to be part of the Association of American Universities. Dedicated to excellence and impact for the public good, the university is propelled by a $1.4 billion joint research enterprise. UMD is the nation’s first Do Good campus, and is consistently ranked for its innovation, research and top-tier academic programs. Located in the National Capital Region, the university offers an unparalleled student experience with federal internship opportunities, hundreds of academic programs and study abroad options, and top-ranked living-learning programs. Spurred by a culture of innovation and creativity, UMD’s faculty are global leaders in their fields and include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and members of the national academies. For more information about the University of Maryland, College Park, visit umd.edu