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Towson University Graduate Turns Family Tragedy Into Message of Hope at Commencement
TOWSON, Maryland — Towson University graduate Alphonso Faltz Jr. took the stage at SECU Arena to deliver a powerful commencement address to the Class of 2026, sharing how he turned profound personal tragedy into a lifelong message of resilience, purpose, and hope.
Faltz, affectionately known on campus as "Zo," reflected on two devastating milestones that reshaped his life as a teenager. In May 2018, his grandmother was killed in a car accident. Less than a year later, in March 2019, his 29-year-old brother, Chaz, was found dead in Baltimore's Inner Harbor after going missing for 77 days following a bartending shift. Faltz was only 15 years old when he lost those he considered his two best friends and foundational anchors.
Rather than letting the grief define him, Faltz used the memory of his loved ones to propel his academic and personal achievements. During his time at Towson, he became the university's homecoming king, served as president of the Rhythm Step Team, and authored a motivational poetry book titled "What they don't tell you, Vol 1, real talk, no filter," which reached a number one new release ranking on Amazon. Faltz noted that he takes it upon himself to carry his brother's memory forward and fulfill the potential his brother never got to realize.
Graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology, Faltz plans to return to Towson University next year to pursue a master's degree in counseling psychology. His ultimate goal is to provide essential mental health services to adolescents, young adults, and athletes. Closing his speech to cheers from his fellow Tigers, Faltz reminded his classmates that they are inherently tenacious and capable of conquering any obstacle ahead of them.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
May 25, 2026
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