BSOS Celebrates Winter Graduates

On December 18, 2019, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences celebrated its last graduates of the decade.

Winter commencement was held inside the Xfinity Center and included an address from distinguished BSOS alumnus and two-time Super Bowl champion, Torrey Smith (CCJS, ’10). Smith encouraged the graduates to spend time thinking about what their own personal definition of success looks like.

“I have a secret that I want to tell you,” Smith said. “Some of the people who you want to be like or connect with, they don’t have it all figured out. Don’t compare your life to anyone. Live your life and do the things that make you happy. Protect your heart and protect your mind. Never forget your worth, even when the world does.”

Smith, who announced his retirement from football in September, now lives in Maryland with his family. Read more about his plans for life after football.

Taylor-Omaree Smith was selected to serve as the BSOS Student Commencement Speaker. Smith is a criminology and criminal justice major, with dual minors in business, innovation and entrepreneurship and law and society. A first-generation student born and raised in Baltimore City, Smith worked to make a mark on her community and the University.

“My siblings and I have parents who have always shown us love and hard work in a city that shows no mercy. I am the first of my siblings to graduate college and by God’s grace, my testimony will live wherever I leave my footprint,” Smith told her fellow graduates. “I stand before you as someone who is proud of where I come from, proud of where I am and proud of where I know I’m going.”

Read more about Taylor-Omaree Smith’s journey at UMD here.

Watch both Torrey and Taylor-Omaree’s speeches and the full BSOS Winter Commencement ceremony here.

Published on Fri, Jan 3, 2020 - 3:26PM