College Awards 430 Candidates for Degrees, Certificates
The College of Southern Maryland celebrated 430 candidates for degrees and certificates during its 52nd spring commencement ceremony held May 12 at the La Plata Campus.
Associate degrees were awarded predominantly in the fields of general studies, nursing and business administration. Most of the certificates were awarded in the areas of general studies: transfer, and basic and advanced accounting.
At the 2011 spring commencement, CSM awarded 482 associate degrees and 198 certificates. Of the candidates for graduation, 70 percent were female; 45.3 percent were from Charles County, 29.8 percent from St. Marys County and 21.2 percent from Calvert County; 3.8 percent were from outside the region. The ages of this springs recipients ranged from 16 to 67.
We recognize that many of you have completed your studies while working, raising families and volunteering in your community, CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried told graduates. You have chosen to make sacrifices in your life now in order to invest in a more promising future. We hope you are forever linked to your college and to your community. This is your alma mater and we take great pride in your accomplishments.
CSMs most senior graduate this spring is Janis L. Jacobs, 67, of Leonardtown, who received her associates degree in nursing. Following a 20-year career in education and a 10-year career in real estate, Jacobs is embarking on a career in nursing. (For more on Jacobs, visit http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringNursing.html)
Olivia A. Wolski, 16, of Dunkirk is CSMs youngest graduate this spring, receiving an associates degree in computer science. Its been a wonderful experience. I cant imagine anywhere else in Southern Maryland that would have given me the opportunity to graduate college at the age of 16, Wolski said. (For more on Wolski, visit http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringGrad.html)
Courtney Sanders graduates with high honors and receives associates degrees in biotechnology and biological sciences. Now, a student studying biochemistry and mathematics at St. Marys College of Maryland (SMCM), Sanders is able to transfer her organic chemistry class credit back to CSM to meet her associates degree requirements. (For more on Sanders, visit http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringGrad.html)
CSMs spring graduation produced the first graduate of the colleges Scholars Program, Ana-Alecia Stauffer, 24, of Hollywood, receiving an associates in arts and sciences. This program is a selective admission program for students who are seeking academic challenges. Stauffer, who graduated from CSM with an associates degree in history in 2007 and who attended the University of Maryland College Park for a semester, returned to CSM while saving funds to continue toward a bachelors degree in history. I didnt want to stop coming to school, said Stauffer, who added that her mentor, Professor Christine Arnold-Lourie, is encouraging her to continue to work toward her ultimate goal of a doctorate in history and a teaching career. She has been wonderful and has been responsible for my love of history. (For more on Stauffer, visit http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringGrad.html)
Several students overcame great obstacles to attend CSM, one of those was Brittany Burks, 21, of Bel Alton, who despite the challenges of living with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, is graduating with an associates degree in art. (For more on Burks, visit http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringGrad.html)
Every one of our graduates has their own story, said Gottfried. Some have struggled, some have excelled, but all graduate with the knowledge that they can succeed anywhere.
The National Anthem was performed by CSM student Jessica Flowers of Mechanicsville. She is a vocal soloist with CSM's Latin Ensemble, “Ritmo Caché,” and a soprano in the CSM Chorale.
The commencement ceremonys student speaker was Student Government Association President Tia Dickerson of Lusby.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Before coming to the event, Hrabowski checked the progress of students who transferred from CSM to UMBC and reported that all 30 have done well in their first year and that 60 percent of those have a 3.0 grade point average. Students, savor this moment, he said, adding If you can make it here you can make it anywhere. (For more on Dr. Hrabowski, visit http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringGrad.html)
An Honorary Degree was presented to Maryland Congressman Steny H. Hoyer by CSM Board of Trustees Chair Mary Krug for his loyalty and friendship to the college.
Congressman Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland is known not only in this region but throughout the country as a strong advocate of policies to strengthen all Americans, said Krug.
The Faculty Excellence Award was presented to Mathematics Professor Susan R. Strickland by CSM Faculty Senate President and Economics Professor Michael Green. (For more on Strickland, visit http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringGrad.html)
During the nursing recognition ceremony held earlier in the day, Rachel Eaby of White Plains received the Academic Achievement in Nursing Award, given to the graduate with the highest grade point average in the nursing class. Sarah Istvan of Prince Frederick was awarded the Achievement in Nursing Award, presented to the graduate who demonstrates academic achievement, clinical competence, community service and leadership potential.
At the colleges May 11 Honors Convocation, 16 students were recognized for achieving highest honors (3.9-4.0 GPA), 28 for high honors (3.75-3.89 GPA) and
59 for honors (3.5 to 3.74 GPA). (For more on Honors Convocation including departmental awards, visit http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11Springhonors.html)
For graduation photos, visit http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringGrad.html.
Since the college opened its doors in 1958, there have been more than 18,600 graduates and thousands other students who have taken courses at the colleges three campuses or via distance education opportunities.
The following students were recognized as candidates for associates degrees or certificates at the spring commencement ceremony.
Calvert County
Chesapeake Beach
Nicholas Robert Bourassa
Crystal Marie Friend
Crystal Angela Harding
Shelby Anne Corin Matullo
Julie Caroline Ridgeway
Katelyn Joy Snyder
Deale
Stephen E. Stanton, Jr.
Dunkirk
Kimberly A. Bowlsbey
Derek Lee Carter
Rachael Christine Clark
Amy Heather Jones
Kendyl Paige Sunderland
Olivia Anne Wolski
Huntingtown
Carl M. Ball
Travis C. Bugarski
Jennifer M. Crocker
Jordan Lynne Fears
Harry Frank
Bryan M. Gravener
Kristy Lee Hill
Ashlee Nichole Hilton
Santa Barbaro Iannone
Katelyn Marie Johnson
Anthony M. Langer
Rachel Alexandria Manning
Becky Mattera
Cecilia Lynn Mixon
Christina Lin Ohler
Lauren Marlene Perry
Dana Leigh Plater
Christine M. Sharpe
Lusby
Ashley Naomi Hermena Adams
Katie Eileen Brown
Jasmine Nicole Brown
Ashley Caldwell
Amy Elizabeth Felsher
Sherry Ann Foltz
Nicole Charlene Frey
Trinette Carol Garner
Kelsey Sara Gieseler
Dallas Faye Harris
Wendell D. T. Hicks
John Bernard Holman III
Jennifer Lynn Ireland
Michael A. Jones
Mary Catherine Kavades
Jordan Nicholas Kron
Jennifer A. Magee
Michael Martocci
Chelsea Noel McCloskey
Justine Elizabeth Reimer
Laniqua Z. Richardson
Natasha Melissa Robey
Allen Clifton Robinson, Jr.
Victoria Lyn Roy
Courtney Y. Sanders
Jennifer Ann Seymour
Susan Lynn Spindler
Jeffrey O'Brian Sullivan
Heath Saad Tabet
Thaddeus Stephen Wright
Samuel Joseph Wright
Aaron Justin Zell
North Beach
Sabrina Lynn Duvall
Owings
Holly Jean Crouse
Michael Joseph Gray
Heather Marie Murvin
Xiu Lian Tse
Deborah Ann Wendolek
Port Republic
Kristina Ganyon
Jennifer Nicole Graf
Ember Smootz
Jennifer Louise Sodero
Prince Frederick
Logan Andrew Alderman
Meghan Noelle Bonner
Jenna Paige Fansler
Mark R. Fields
Alexis Nicole Frost
Sarah Elizabeth Istvan
KaLynn M. Johnson
Patrice Wyetta Robinson
Lindsey Marie Shaner
Joshua Sean Meyers Struble
Vicki Lee Swann
Saint Leonard
Shirley A. Bean
Casey Marie Beavers
Lee J. Bell
Stacey Marie Haynes
Lorraine Rhodes Joyner
Ashley Marie Loy
Sterling D. Myers