from the desk of Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D., President of Coppin State University
May 28, 2026
Dear Eagle Nation,
As we honor the Class of 2026, we also celebrate the collective commitment of the faculty, staff, families, alumni, donors, volunteers, and supporters who helped our graduates reach this important milestone. The joy, energy, and sense of community throughout the ceremony reflected the very best of Coppin State University.
Our graduates leave Coppin prepared to lead, serve, innovate, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and professions. They are a reflection of our mission, our values, and our continued momentum as Baltimore’s Hometown University.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the many individuals and teams whose work behind the scenes made this year’s commencement ceremony such a success. From the commencement planning committee and event production teams to facilities, housekeeping, public safety, transportation, communications, technology support, student affairs, volunteers, faculty marshals, and student leaders. Your professionalism, long hours, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment ensured a memorable experience for our graduates and their families.
I know many members of our campus community worked tirelessly for weeks and months in preparation for this important occasion, often outside of regular responsibilities and without public recognition. I acknowledge and am sincerely grateful for your dedication to Coppin and to our students.
Congratulations once again to the Class of 2026. We are proud of all you have accomplished, and we look forward to the impact you will continue to make in Baltimore and beyond.
Commencement 2026: A Day to Remember
We conferred 339 degrees, including 291 bachelor's, 45 master's, and 3 doctoral, to a graduating class that exemplifies the multicultural, multigenerational cadre of students Coppin attract: the very best of what Coppin produces: first-generation scholars, veterans, working professionals, parents, researchers, and emerging leaders across health sciences, education, business, STEM, liberal arts, and criminal justice.
Our keynote speaker, U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks, gave our graduates a direct and powerful charge: "Go out into the world, take up space, and show up in every room where decisions are being made," she said. Her reinforcing message empowered the class to boldy step into their futures.
This year's ceremony also affirmed something we are deeply proud of at Coppin: our student-athletes continue to lead by example. Coppin State Eagles graduated at a 92 percent rate, surpassing the national average and leading the MEAC conference for the fourth time in the past five years.
This achievement is a credit to our student-athletes, our coaches, our faculty, our academic support team, and a culture that says winning in the classroom matters just as much as winning on the field, the court, or the track. When our students graduate at rates like these, it sends a clear message about who we are: an institution where scholars and champions are made.
Take a moment to see the full graduating class. Every face. Every name. Every Eagle who earned this moment.
View The Video HERE Honoring Our Golden Graduates, Class of 1976
We also paused on Commencement Day to honor a group whose legacy made this moment possible: the Golden Graduate Class of 1976, celebrating 50 years since they walked across our stage.
Alumni like Gloria Anderson Gilliam, Dr. Nancy Lowe Connor, Gregory S. Matthews, and Gus Herrington returned to campus and reminded all of us that the HBCU experience is not just an education in the classroom, but becominga part of a lifelong family, creating a foundation for service, and a commitment to lifting others as you rise.
In the spirit of that commitment, members of the Class of 1976 are raising $25,000 to establish a Foundation Merit Scholarship that will support future Coppin Eagles. Their giving back is exactly the kind of legacy we hope every Coppin graduate continues to build.
Read the full story at
https://www.coppin.edu/news/coppin-state-u...
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Thursday, May 28th 2026 at 4:38PM
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