UHD President Loren J. Blanchard

Greetings, UHD Faculty.

The University of Houston-Downtown's Commencement ceremony is only a few weeks away, and I'm sure you share the same enthusiasm I have for this special event. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, our students have persevered and earned their degrees, and now is the time to celebrate their successes … especially in the wake of such unique challenges.

This marks the first in-person Commencement ceremony since UHD was impacted by COVID-19 in March 2020. To that end, the group we will commemorate is composed of students who graduated in 2020 or 2021 yet never received the opportunity for a traditional ceremony to signify their achievements.

We have all experienced the significant sense of fulfillment that earning a college diploma brings. The Commencement ceremonies on August 14 will be our chance to honor this milestone alongside the graduates, their families and loved ones. Finally, we can gather in the same space … as a University community … and take stock of this moment.

This is also a day to recognize you. This momentous occasion is made possible thanks to your collective hard work as a faculty to maintain a superior level of teaching and student engagement despite uncertain and often-changing circumstances. The students who will attend Commencement are the product of your efforts, and by joining them, you, too, can be acknowledged for the unwavering support you provided in order for them to reach this goal.

As such, I would like to ask you, as UHD faculty, to participate in our August 2021 Commencement in support of our graduates. The first ceremony for College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and University College will begin at 9 a.m. The second ceremony for Marilyn Davies College of Business and College of Sciences and Technology will begin at 2 p.m. Both ceremonies will take place at NRG Stadium.

Additionally, we will hold a reception starting one hour before each ceremony, and I look forward to spending some time with you before the formalities begin. It will be my first chance to meet some of you face-to-face, and this will provide a great opportunity to informally introduce myself and get to know you better.

Faculty who wish to attend will receive a free parking pass. To ensure UHD has enough time to procure and disburse the parking passes, I ask faculty to complete an RSVP Form by Friday, July 23 at 5 p.m. For faculty who have completed the form by the deadline, the passes will be available August 2 - 11. Parking instructions and details about check-in will accompany the parking ticket. If you have questions, please refer to the Commencement Planning Team at uhdgraduation@uhd.edu.

Thank you for the work you have been doing this summer, and I look forward to seeing you on August 14.

Sincerely,

Loren J. Blanchard, Ph.D.
President, University of Houston-Downtown