ANNAPOLIS, MD — First Lady Dawn Moore today delivered the commencement address to the University of Baltimore graduate student class of 2025. In her first commencement address as the First Lady of Maryland, the First Lady encouraged the 329 graduates to draw strength from the community around them, and embrace collaboration as they confront the challenges of the future.
Founded in 1925, the University of Baltimore is marking its 100 year anniversary with a full year of celebrations centered around three centennial pillars: transformative learning; academic excellence; and civic engagement.
Excerpts from First Lady Moore’s speech as prepared:
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of a big village that lifted me up. Throughout my life and career, I’ve learned three big lessons about solving big problems: One: Division is the greatest barrier to progress. Two: Collaboration is our path to success. Three: The only way to elevate the work is to strengthen community. That work is more important now than ever before.”
“As a public figure, I think about how increased isolation stunts collaboration. As a mother, I think about how increased isolation is harming our children. Young people are more disconnected from community than ever. And as a result, they are suffering from dangerously high rates of mental health challenges. Look: Innovation and efficiency are essential. But we must be intentional about how we use them. The greatest ideas in the world were developed in person. The greatest businesses in the world were built with people creating together. Community is our lifeblood. It’s the ONLY hope we have as a state to secure our future.”
“Over the past year, my work as First Lady has focused on building bigger tables and inviting Marylanders to claim their seat around it. We’ve increased employment opportunities for Maryland’s military spouses. We’ve worked to restore the official residence of the First Family, to ensure it lives up to its name: The People’s House. We’ve worked to address the crisis of our generation: Children’s mental health. One of the most important things I have learned in our work is this: We are not that different from each other. And neither are the challenges.”
“Class of 2025: You will have moments when people see something in you that you might not even see in yourself. Because community isn’t just a sounding board – it’s a springboard. It can be easy to feel undeserving or unprepared – but when you build community, know you are never alone in the work. So do it uncertain. Do it unsure. Don’t let it pass you by. Because your “yes” can change everything.”
“You are the great hope of our state. You understand our strength is found not just in doing the work – but in doing the work together, in community. The great Marylander Thurgood Marshall said: ‘None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody bent down and helped us pick up our boots.’ Class of 2025: Never be afraid of asking for help – and never hesitate when someone asks for yours. Because in this moment, we need you to work together. We need you to build community. We need that enduring Ubalt spirit that will stop at nothing to bring us together as one people and one city.”
The University of Baltimore, currently under the leadership of President Kurt Schmoke, is nationally recognized for serving career-focused working adults, offering accelerated programs, stackable credentials, experiential learning, and flexible program delivery options. The University of Baltimore’s undergraduate programs are grouped into five professional pathways: Business and Entrepreneurship; Communication and Design; Cybersecurity, Gaming and Technology; Law, Justice and Public Affairs; and Psychology, Health and Human Services.