Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks at UMES Commencement

Reverend Jesse Jackson visited the University of Maryland’s Eastern Shore on Thursday and was the featured speaker at the 2015 UMES’s Summer Commencement. 47 ABC was told 29 students received their doctor of physical therapy degrees some traveling as far as Canada and California.

Reverend Jackson was also honored by UMES President Juliette Bell. Bell gave him a presidential medallion in recognition of her respect for his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

UMES also announced that it is creating two scholarship funds named in honor of the Rev. Jackson’s late mother, Helen Burns Jackson. The idea came about after two UMES administrators gave gifts to the university after coming up with the idea earlier this week when news of her death became public. When the school has enough donations, the money will be awarded to a member of the gospel choir and a member of the concert choir.

The ceremony also doubled as the universities founder’s day celebration. 2015 marks UMES’ 129th anniversary.