Last year was one for the history books. 2025 was a year spent celebrating, remembering, reflecting and preparing for the future of The University of Baltimore.
The more people we spoke with about the University’s first 100 years, the clearer it became—our alumni are our greatest legacy. They are what we’re most proud of and always will be. They are our greatest achievement, our greatest resource, our greatest source of strength and our biggest inspiration. Each of our alumni is unique. Each of their stories is unique, with different casts, plots, chapters, themes and endings. But regardless of where they came from or where they went after their time at UBalt, and regardless of the jobs or titles they held, there is one common trait that every University of Baltimore graduate shares—each left an undeniable, indelible mark on this institution. Their contributions add to the impact of the ones that came before and will, in turn, shape the ones that come after.
Just a couple of weeks ago, as the Class of 2026 was being handed their diplomas, I realized I wasn’t just proud of everyone who crossed the stage, I was grateful.
Grateful that it was our students who showed up and did the work.
Grateful that it is our alumni out there doing good and giving back.
Grateful that it is our community whose contributions will forge the next generation of learners, leaders, educators, innovators, entrepreneurs, mentors, helpers, protectors, creators, builders, givers, servers, doers and, pardon the pun, bee-ers.
Would that we had the time and space to tell each of their stories! Still, we can share some here and rest easy knowing that our graduates are equipped to tell their own through their words and deeds.
In another hundred years, I’m sure members of the University’s Bicentennial committee will take delight in unearthing this issue of our magazine along with others from decades past. But, having just been in their shoes, I’m also confident it won’t take a written record for our
posterity to appreciate the impact of our legacy. We certainly didn’t.
We feel it every day.
Sincerely,
Kurt L. Schmoke
President, The University of Baltimore