ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore today delivered the commencement address to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore class of 2025. In front of alumni, faculty, family, and friends, the governor encouraged graduates to never lose sight of their accomplishments as they take the next step in their journeys.

Excerpts from Governor Moore’s speech as prepared:

“Now, when someone asks: ‘What did you do at UMES?’ you probably aren’t going to spend much time talking about your degree. You’re going to talk about the way you made this place better. You’re going to talk about the campus organization you started. You’re going to talk not about the awards you received – but the work that earned you the award. You’re going to talk about how you were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at one of America’s great HBCU’s, and how you used that opportunity for good.”

“Our administration increased funding for HBCUs by nearly 60% – and today, we have invested $1.34 billion towards Maryland’s historically black colleges and universities – including UMES. We have made real progress. But I want to be clear: We are only just getting started. And I want to say, right here and right now, that I am going to be back on the Eastern Shore on Juneteenth to announce the next chapter of our work to end the racial wealth gap in Maryland. It’s only right that we continue this story here, on the Shore. The birthplace of Harriet Tubman, the birthplace of Frederick Douglass, and the home of one of our state’s great heirlooms: The University of Maryland, Eastern Shore.”

“Class of 2025: If there’s one thing I know, it’s this: The ones who obsess over answering ‘what will you do?’ are often the ones who lose sight of answering ‘what did you do?’ The ones who stay focused on answering ‘what did you do’ are the ones who will never waver in their convictions, and will always continue the work.”

“So when someone asks you: ‘What are you going to do with that degree!?’ It’s ok if you don’t have a good response for them. Because when you look back many years from now, you aren’t going to say to yourself: ‘I wish I were more certain about what I wanted to do right out of school.’ You’re going to say: ‘I’m proud of what I accomplished.’ And you know who else will be proud? Each and every one of us.”

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is one of Maryland’s four historically black colleges and universities, and the home of five schools: Agricultural and Natural Sciences; Business and Technology; Education, Social Sciences and the Arts; Graduate Studies; and Pharmacy and Health Professions.