Graduates, Academic Achievement Honored
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) recognized 511 candidates for degrees and certificates during its 13th Winter Commencement held Jan. 12 at the La Plata Campus.
When you watch our graduates walk across the stagethis is an amazing feat for most of them because most have families, they work, they have a life and they are outstanding students. For them to reach this point is nothing short of incredible, said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried as he welcomed the family and friends gathered to celebrate 148 of the graduates who participated in the evening ceremony. What they shareand they share a very important attributeis the understanding of the importance of a college education.
CSM awarded 500 associate degrees and 242 certificates: 43 percent of the students receiving awards are from Charles County, 31 percent are from St. Marys County and 23 percent are from Calvert County; 3 percent are from outside of the region. Nearly one-quarter of all associate's degree candidates for graduation earned a 3.5 grade point average or higher.
Associate degrees were awarded predominantly in the fields of general studies, business administration, and arts and sciences, while general studies: transfer and advanced and basic accounting topped the list as the most popular certificates. Of the graduates, 67 percent were female. The ages of this winters associates degree and certificate recipients ranged from 18 to 64.
The most senior candidate for graduation is Susan T. Kruszka, 64, of Waldorf.
Kruszka earned an associates degree in arts and sciences and an associates degree in general studies. Its taken a long time, she said of the academic journey she began in the 1970s. For Kruszkas complete story, visit http://bit.ly/Af4zyn.
The youngest candidate for graduation is Alyson Dodson, 18, of Park Hall in St. Marys County. Dodson began her studies at CSM as a dual/concurrent homeschool student at the age of 16 and through the years attended classes at all three campuses and the Waldorf Center. She completed the requirements for an associates degree in general studies in August and transferred to St. Marys College of Maryland where she is pursuing a bachelors degree in anthropology. For Dodsons complete story, visit http://bit.ly/Af4zyn.
CSMs commencement ceremony also recognized students who earned certificates and letters of recognition.
Sharma Egner, 48, of Waldorf, celebrated achieving the first steps in her path toward an associates degree by receiving certificates in office technology and information processing and letters of recognition in computer office skills, clerical assistant, medical transcription and legal transcription. She began taking classes at CSM in 2008 and quickly became more confident in her academic abilities. As a stay-at-home mother who homeschools her children and helps with the familys business, Egner feels that she is setting a good example. Im not just telling my children that education is a good thingIm showing them that they can set goals and reach them, said Egner.
Egner organized her academic workload as stepping stones from letters of recognition to certificates. I wanted to be able to add my accomplishments to my resume as I work my way to an associates degree, she said, adding that she is on track to earn another certification this spring before reaching the credits she needs for her associates degree in general studies at the end of the fall 2012 semester. I like structure. I can be flexible, but with teaching, school and work I need to be organized and manage my time well, she said.
CSMs eighth winter class of nursing students participated in a recognition ceremony earlier in the day. Health Services Chair Dr. Laura Polk presented an Academic Achievement in Nursing Award to Rachel Emerson of Lusby, who graduated with highest honors. Michele Spaulding of Huntingtown received the Achievement in Nursing Award which is given by CSM faculty to a student who has demonstrated advanced clinical competence, service and dedication to the community, leadership within and outside of the classroom, and academic excellence. For more on the Nursing Recognition Ceremony, visit http://bit.ly/yiOeAF.
Commencement keynote speaker Rear Admiral Michelle Howard, chief of staff to the director for strategic plans and policy, J-5, Joint Staff is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Armys Command and General Staff College, with a masters degree in military arts and sciences. In 1999, Howard took command of USS Rushmore, becoming the first African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy. Howard shared a number of personal stories with graduates including one referring to her petite stature. Lifes success in not about your height. Lifes success is about aspiring to the heights. So how do you manage that successful climb, and how do you overcome the challenges on this journey of life? For Howards story, visit http://bit.ly/yiOeAF.
For more on RADM Howard, visit http://bit.ly/zOTY7V.
CSMs Board of Trustees recognized Calvert County residents Donna Wayson and JoAnn Kushner, Charles County residents Jay and Mary Lilly and CSM Foundation Director Al Leandre and his wife Lisa with Trustees Distinguished Service Awards for their support of the college. For more on the Distinguished Service Award recipients, visit http://bit.ly/zu4LKW.
The following students were recognized as candidates for associates degrees or certificates at the commencement ceremony: (See attached listing)
For information about the college, call 301-934-7765 or 301-870-2309, 240-725-5499 or 443-550-6199, Ext. 7765 or visit www.csmd.edu.
For photos and additional stories from commencement, visit http://bit.ly/yiOeAF. For captions, see attached listing.
CSM 13th Winter Commencement Graduate Candidates
The following students at the College of Southern Maryland were recognized as
candidates for associates degrees or certificates at the 13th winter commencement ceremony
held Jan. 12 at the La Plata Campus:
Calvert County
Barstow
Trischana Shemeka Davies
Broomes Island
Kimberly Marie Barnes
Chesapeake Beach
Joshua Thomas Brown
Sarah Rebekah Cattell
Richard Thomas Cox Jr.
Christin Elizabeth Fallin
Jennifer L. Fanton
Monica M. Fellows
Hillary M. Griffie
Aaron Michael Gwynn
Danielle Emma Harrington
Shaun Everett Kline
Michael Steven Martin
William Richard Merkle
Jared William Moret
Robin Elizabeth Norvell
Lisa Marie Serafino
Tara Irene Shumate
Jessica Lynn Snell
Theresa Irene Williams
Tina Marie Williams
Ashley E. Woodell
Dowell
Kim E. Wells
Dunkirk
Dana Elizabeth Adams
Emily Elisabeth Dare
Joseph Michael DeNavas
Nancy Cory Gardner
Alison Toepfer Meador
Jennifer Denise Parkerson
Rebecca Ann Ripple
Dennis M. Staff II
Huntingtown
Christina Nicole Addicott
Heather Leigh Brooks
Jordon M. DeGennaro
Nicole Saundra Fennelly
Cody Tyler Ford
Dennis James Haspert
Jonathan Robert Henderson
Nicholas E. Malay
William Christopher Marshall
Kirsten Michelle Mettam
Carolyn R. Moore
Jeanette Marie Owens
Brian David Pounsberry
Michele D. Spaulding
Megan C. Villano
Lusby
Katie Elizabeth Allen
Belinda Barney
Ashley Michelle Berry
Darren Matthew Bivens
Laura Marie Boswell
Jacklyn Michelle Brock
Alyce Beatrice Brown
Margaret E. Cannon
Mable M. Clay
Christina Marie Close
Rachel Lynn Emerson
Megan Elizabeth Garren
Sharon Marie Green
William Jesse Gross
Amanda Faith Hankins
Wendell D. T. Hicks
Suzanne D. Kerill
Leroy William Klasko, Jr.
Brian Andrew Lauver
Elana F. Masincupp
Ronald William Rambo Jr.