KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Years of dedication and hard work will be celebrated this April as servicemembers, family members and civilians walk across the stage at one of the largest military-affiliated commencement ceremonies outside of the United States.

On Saturday, 29 April at 1400, graduates stationed throughout Europe will come together to receive their degrees at the 65th annual University of Maryland University College Europe (UMUC Europe) commencement ceremony at the Ramstein Officers’ Club on Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany.

The ceremony will honor more than 1150 graduates from across Europe, Africa and the Middle East who earned their associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree with UMUC or its partner institutions. Among the graduates are over 60 students who are currently serving in Qatar, Djibouti, and other downrange locations. UMUC will proudly host graduates and their supporters from military communities throughout Europe, as well as an expected 800 guests and visitors from around the world. More than 230 graduates are expected to attend the ceremony in Ramstein.

The graduating class includes active duty military students from the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as family members and civilians stationed abroad. Students graduating in the Class of 2017 have earned degrees in a variety of disciplines, including more than 487 associate’s degrees, 559 bachelor’s degrees and 143 master’s degrees with UMUC, as well as graduates from UMUC’s partner institutions. UMUC honors over 11,550 graduates at ceremonies worldwide.

The keynote speaker for the ceremony this year is Mr. Giles Foden. He is a professor at the University of East Anglia, an adjunct associate professor with UMUC, and a well-known author, who will share words of wisdom and inspiration with the Class of 2017. Mr. Foden is also a former journalist who penned the best-selling novel “The Last King of Scotland,” which won the 1998 Whitbread First Novel Award and was released as an Oscar-winning film in 2006. He is passionate about helping individuals achieve their educational goals and enjoys learning from his students each semester. He currently teaches writing courses in England.

ABOUT UMUC EUROPE

University of Maryland University College and its partner institutions have awarded more than 55,000 degrees in Europe since 1949. In the past academic year, around 15,000 students enrolled with UMUC Europe at one of 50 sites throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East; worldwide, more than 84,000 students enrolled with UMUC.

For 70 years, UMUC has been a leading provider of educational opportunities to the U.S. military and an innovative pioneer in online education and award-winning academic programs such as cybersecurity. To meet the needs of active duty servicemembers, their families and civilians overseas, UMUC’s worldwide programs extend to more than 140 locations in over 20 countries and territories around the globe. UMUC Europe provides access to on-site courses at military installations throughout the command and global access with thousands of online course opportunities. By combining traditional academic values with innovative learning formats, UMUC helps active duty servicemembers, civilians and families worldwide achieve their academic goals. For more information, please visit www.europe.umuc.edu/commencement or contact UMUC Europe at CIV +49-(0)631-534-800.

Note to Editors: Please include the complete name University of Maryland University College Europe (or the acronym UMUC Europe). Abbreviating the name may cause confusion with other University System of Maryland institutions. Thank you.