First-ever Hybrid Commencement Creates New Traditions

Hybrid Format Blends In-person & Virtual Elements

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – After a year of virtual commencement ceremonies, the Bowie State University class of 2021 will make their mark by participating in the university’s first hybrid celebration of their graduation achievement on Friday, May 21 at 10 a.m. at Bulldog Stadium. To comply with social distancing capacity limits for the stadium, all others, including the graduates’ families, are encouraged to view the ceremony live online at bowiestate.edu/commencement.  

Most of the about 700 graduates are planning to return to the campus where they have called home to received their recognition as graduates of Maryland’s first historically Black college and university.

Despite ongoing restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the class of 2021 graduates will have the opportunity to step into the spotlight to receive their degrees in person and create lifelong memories as the walk across the commencement stage. The hybrid format also enabled the graduates to create personalized digital messages, which will stream immediately following the live ceremony.

Commencement speaker Stacey Abrams, a voting right champion known for her success in turning out the vote in Georgia in 2020, will address the graduates and their families as part of the virtual ceremony. Longtime public servant in Maryland, Major Riddick Jr. will receive the Presidential Medal of Excellence in an in-person recognition during the ceremony.

This year’s hybrid ceremony presents an opportunity for graduates to reconnect with their classmates and the campus where they achieved academic greatness.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.