University of Baltimore Leads Celebration of Acclaimed Alumnus on 'Bob Parsons Day'
December 22, 2021
Contact: Office of Advancement and External Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott proclaimed Dec. 20, 2021 as Bob Parsons Day in Baltimore, in recognition of the acclaimed University of Baltimore alumnus, who returned to campus on that day to deliver a keynote speech for the institution's Fall 2021 Commencement.
Bob Parsons, B.S. '75, D.H.L. '08, is a Baltimore native, Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran, and a nationally recognized entrepreneur. He is celebrated for founding the web services giant GoDaddy, one of the most successful companies to come out of the original e-commerce era, and later as Founder and CEO of the global golf brand, PXG.
Parsons, who co-leads The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, has been a strong supporter of his alma mater for well over a decade. The Bob Parsons Scholarship Fund is the single largest donation to a scholarship program in the history of The University of Baltimore, and UBalt's Veterans Center and the Veterans Advocacy Clinic in the School of Law both bear his name. All told, his support of the institution exceeds $10 million.
UBalt President Kurt L. Schmoke and staff members worked with city officials to secure the proclamation for Parsons. Schmoke delivered the recognition to Parsons while both were on stage during the Commencement ceremony in the Lyric, a historic theater adjacent to the University's midtown campus. Graduates from Fall 2021 received their diplomas during the morning event, while those from Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 received theirs in an afternoon event. Parsons spoke at both ceremonies. For the past two years, the University has postponed its usual in-person Commencement due to pandemic restrictions, instead conducting an online version of the ceremony. The latter three classes were invited back so they too could experience a more public acknowledgement of their achievement.
"It was great to see the city help us in sharing Mr. Parsons' amazing life story as a proud citizen of Baltimore," Schmoke said. "To have him come back and speak to our graduates was a real honor. From now on, members of four UBalt classes will remember this as Bob Parsons Day in Baltimore—the day when a true son of Baltimore returned to his hometown to be celebrated for all he has done."
Mayor Scott's proclamation from the city reads as follows:
"Whereas, Bob Parsons, an esteemed alumnus of the University of Baltimore, a recipient of an honorary doctoral degree from the University and a reliable friend to all who are affiliated with this historic institution; and
"Whereas, Bob Parsons has supported the education and lifelong endeavors of the University's veteran and active-military students, through the center and legal clinic bearing his name; and
"Whereas, Mr. Parsons has, through a scholarship fund dedicated to undergraduate students at the University, each of whom is deserving of the kind of essential assistance for which The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is well known and widely loved; and
"Whereas, Mr. Parsons has demonstrated, time and again, what it means to be a proud native of Baltimore and a graduate of the University of Baltimore, the City of Baltimore would like to recognize him for his legacy of care, respect, and dignity for each and every human being.
"Therefore, I, Brandon M. Scott, Mayor of the City of Baltimore, do hereby proclaim December 20, 2021 as 'BOB PARSONS DAY' in Baltimore, and encourage all residents to join in the celebration."
President Schmoke presented Parsons with a framed copy of the proclamation during the ceremony. In the latter's speech, Parsons encouraged the graduates to devote themselves to doing the things they love, with a belief in hard work, discipline, and self-confidence.
"Do something that you love to do," he told the audience. "Remember: When you love something, it tells you all its secrets, and you're always willing to work harder at it."