Congratulations to the 2012 PSYC Terp Graduates!

On behalf of the entire Department, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of our students that graduated with bachelors, masters and doctorates today.  This graduating class represents the finest young professionals and scholars that the world has to offer, and we couldn't be more proud to send them forward... no longer as students, but now as alumni.

Led by Dr. Thomas S. Wallsten, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, the ceremony was fantastic, and truly captured the excitement of the occasion.  Dr. Wallsten opened the ceremony with an address about the breadth of psychology and the importance of the field.

No matter what paths you,
our graduates, follow, your
education here has provided
a strong foundation.

In his closing remarks at the end of the ceremony, Dr. Wallsten encouraged all the graduates to stay in touch with the Department, and to like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/umdpsyc) and to follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/umdpsyc).

Brandon Bowers, who was selected as this year's Student Commencement Speaker, delivered a wonderful speech about what drew him to major in psychology and what, in his eyes, make psychology majors unique.

We're curious about
others because we strive
to understand the why in
human behavior so that we
can better the live of others,
and of ourselves as well.

Brandon was also presented with the Department of Psychology's Award for Excellence in Student leadership for his dedication to enhancing the opportunities and achievements of his fellow PSYC Terps.

Dr. Harold Koplewicz honored the Department of Psychology as this year's keynote speaker.  Dr. Koplewicz, who earned his bachelors of science in psychology from the University of Maryland ('73) and went on to earn his M.D. from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is now one of the nation’s leading child and adolescent psychiatrists and one of our most accomplished alumni.  He emphasized the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone to grow and advance and reassured the graduates that learning to move beyond their setbacks is what will lead them towards success.

My advice is not that
you become a child
psychiatrist, although
you should be all means,
but that you remain open
to the opportunities that
surround you every day
as you step into the future.

His success and his contribution to the lives of countless children is an inspiration to all and evidence of the profound potential of our graduates.

After presenting each of the undergraduates with their degrees, Dr. Scott Roberts, Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department, offered a brief address in which he stressed that we learn not for the sake of school, but for life, and that we must always pay tribute to those that build the foundation for our own success.

Continue to learn, seek
the opportunities to help
others learn, and do it
because the quality of our
shared lives depends on it.

Thank you to all of the students, faculty, staff and guests that attended and participated in the commencent ceremony, and congratulations again to all of our graduates.  Go PSYC Terps!

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