What to expect from Towson University's historic commencement week

May 13, 2021

Towson University will hold a record-breaking week of in-person commencement celebrations May 17-21 at Johnny Unitas® Stadium to celebrate the latest graduates from the top 100 national public institution.

TU will celebrate 9,150 combined members of the 2020 and 2021 classes. The ten total ceremonies mark TU’s first in-person commencement celebration since December 2019.

“For some, this moment has been delayed for a year,” TU President Kim Schatzel said in a message to the TU community Wednesday. “For others, it’s a moment to share across generations as the first members of their family earn a degree. For everyone, it will be a moment that binds us with one common thread: We are all Towson University Tigers, and we are all very proud of our graduates for achieving so very much in a year that has been unlike any other.

Traditionally, ceremonies are held indoors at SECU Arena. This spring, all ten ceremonies will be outdoors at Unitas Stadium as the first outdoor commencement ceremony at TU since 2005. Each day will follow a schedule, with a ceremony at 9 a.m. and another at 2 p.m.

Leading healthcare executive Nancy M. Schlichting will serve as Towson University's 2021 University Commencement speaker and will deliver remarks during the College of Health Professions (CHP) Commencement ceremony May 17 at 9 a.m. to members of the class of 2020 and 2021. Schlichting will address CHP graduates, many of whom entered the workforce early or helped administer vaccinations amid the pandemic. TU is the largest provider of health professionals in Maryland. 

Later on May 17, graduates from the College of Business and Economics (CBE) and the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) will cross the stage.

On Tuesday May 18, graduates from the College of Liberal Arts  (CLA) will be honored in the morning ceremony, while the College of Education (COE) and Fisher College of Science and Mathematics will turn their cap tassels in the afternoon.  

On May 19, the commencements will begin with Fisher graduates, while COFAC’s latest alumni will end the day.

On May 20, COE will lead the morning’s celebrations while CLA will walk in the afternoon.

On May 21, the final day of commencements, CHP will have a morning ceremony, with CBE closing the unforgettable week.

#TUproud

We’re proud of all our graduates and we’re eager to celebrate their achievements, together.

A live stream of the ceremonies will be broadcast on www.towson.edu and live updates will be shared all week on TU’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Alumni Instagram accounts.

You can join in on the celebrations too. Use #TUproud when sharing photos on Instagram or Twitter, and we might share them from our pages.

For more information, social media graphics, profile picture frames and more, visit Commencement.