Graduating Students
You're almost a Terp alum!
The countdown to graduation begins now! Your Alumni Association is excited to soon officially welcome you to Terp alumni community. You'll soon have access to our alum-only programs and resources to start and advance your career or expand your social circle with Terps from across the globe.
See below for upcoming ways to engage with us prior to your graduation.
Before You Graduate
Participate in the Senior Class Gift Initiative
Leave your legacy and be a part of Maryland’s senior class gift tradition. Contribute a one time, $10 donation to the senior class gift fund and receive a custom Terp Alum tassel charm to wear at all Commencement activities. Students who participate by April 18 will also be recognized at the Main Commencement Ceremony in May.
All proceeds from the class gift will go towards the Student Crisis Fund, which provides emergency resources to students whose health, safety or wellbeing have been negatively impacted, affecting their ability to continue their education. This fund was selected by a group of your Class of 2025 peers.
FAQ
There are 3 ways to participate in the senior class gift initiative:
1. You can contribute online via this link a minimum $10 donation.
2. You can participate in person at the University Book Center (go to the checkout register on the lower level and let them know you'd like to donate to the senior class gift fund).
All graduating students who participate in the senior class gift fund will receive a special turtle shell tassel charm, to add to your graduation cap. If you participate BEFORE APRIL 18, please email Jessica Lee at jlee1021@umd.edu to schedule a day and time to pick up your pin after you have donated.
Students who participate AFTER April 18 will have their tassel charm directly mailed to the mailing address provided on the donation receipt.
The Student Crisis Fund was established to provide compassionate aid to students who face unanticipated emergencies. In the spirit of caring for our students, the Student Crisis Fund enables us to award Economic Crisis Response Grants when a verified crisis has negatively impacted a student's health, safety, wellbeing, and their ability to continue their education.
Types of expenses supported by the Student Crisis Fund include, but are not limited to:
- Emergency medical, dental, and mental health expenses, including prescriptions, not covered by insurance;
- Emergency or temporary housing and/or food assistance;
- Temporary support costs for a student in a dangerous situation due to threats or acts of violence;
- Transportation Issues (e.g., emergency car repair not covered by insurance);
- Replacement of essential personal belongings due to burglary, fire, flood, or other disaster;
- Emergency dependent care;
- Cost to travel home unexpectedly for a family emergency (death, illness, disaster, etc.)
Yes, in order to be recognized as a senior class gift participant at the Main Commencement Ceremony, you must donate by April 18; however, you may participate in the class gift initiative until May 21, 2025 (Main Commencement day).
If you graduated in December 2024, you should absolutely participate with the Class of 2025 cohort. If you are planning to graduate in December 2025, we recommend that you participate with the Class of 2026 cohort, as the class gift is aligned with each year's Main Commencement ceremony.
Finish your Bucket List items
Be sure to finish all 20 items on our M Book Bucket List before you graduate! For every 5 items that you complete, you'll receive a commemorative pin. When you complete all 20, you'll receive our Traditions Keeper medallion to proudly wear at Commencement.
Questions? Contact Rose Ligsay, the Alumni Association's Program Manager for Engagement & Outreach at rligsay@umd.edu.
Check out the Commencement website
Wondering when your individual academic college ceremony is? Need information to share with your friends and family about Commencement? Be sure to check out the Commencement website at commencement.umd.edu.