2021 Graduates: The Heroes Among Us

Watch Commencement

Each of UMass Lowell's seven Commencement ceremonies, beginning on Wednesday, May 12 and continuing through Friday, May 14, will be streamed live. Afterward, each ceremony will be available to rewatch online. You will also find the roll call of student slides at the Watch Now link.

Watch Now

UMass Lowell celebrates the heroes among us who persevered amid the pandemic to shine. Share your "Congratulations" video with UML grads using #UML2021 on social media!

Class of 2021 Changed, but Not Defined by Pandemic

05/10/2021

For some, the COVID-19 pandemic opened their eyes to the inequities of the health care system. Others said it made them appreciate life’s little moments that they used to take for granted. And for others, the pandemic has actually led to new and innovative ways to think about their careers.

For the Class of 2021, COVID-19 will forever be a part of their college experience.

But it also won’t define the entirety of their time at UMass Lowell.

One week before Commencement, we asked eight graduating seniors to join us for a roundtable discussion on — where else? — Zoom, where we talked about their favorite UML memories, how the pandemic has affected them and what advice they’d give to themselves four years ago, among other topics. Read what they had to say.

Meet Our Student Speaker

Army veteran Jamie Smorczewski, a Double River Hawk who is graduating with a master’s degree in security studies, will share some of what he’s learned about persevering as the university’s 2021 student Commencement speaker. Read his story.

Meet More 2021 Graduates

Melanie Sunnerberg

Finance and Marketing

Business administration major Melanie Sunnerberg has a passion for finance that she’s honed through a co-op experience at MFS Investment Management and her leadership roles in student organizations.
Coral Gonzalez

Nursing

Coral Gonzalez set her sights on becoming a nurse after she was hospitalized in middle school. The Honors College student won one of the first Oprah Winfrey Scholarships to help her succeed.
Joyce Vega

Education

Joyce Vega is grateful for all of the scholarships she was able to apply for through UML’s scholarship portal.
Biar Kon

Business Administration

Biar Kon grew up in refugee camps in Kenya. Now he gives back to the city’s refugee community through his work with the International Institute of New England.