Vice Admiral Dr. Jerome M. Adams to Address Graduates at May 24 Ceremony
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will recognize candidates for degrees and certificates during its 59th Annual Spring Commencement Ceremony May 24 at the La Plata Campus. U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Dr. Jerome M. Adams, a Southern Maryland native, will provide the keynote address.
Adams, the 20th Surgeon General of the United States, grew up in Mechanicsville and graduated from Chopticon High School. He has bachelor’s degrees in both biochemistry and psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, a master of public health degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. He was sworn into his current office September 5, 2017.
Adams is a board-certified anesthesiologist and served as Indiana State Health Commissioner from 2014 to 2017. He was also an associate professor of clinical anesthesia at Indiana University School of Medicine and a staff anesthesiologist at Eskenazi Health, where he was chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
He has served in leadership positions at a number of professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Association and the Indiana Society of Anesthesiologists. He is the immediate past chair of the Professional Diversity Committee for the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
Adams’ motto as Surgeon General is “better health through better partnerships.” As Surgeon General, he said he is committed to maintaining strong relationships with the public health community and forging new partnerships with non-traditional partners, including business and law enforcement.
As Surgeon General, Adams oversees the operations of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which has approximately 6,500 uniformed health officers who serve in nearly 800 locations around the world to promote, protect and advance the health and safety of the nation and the world.
CSM Spring Commencement Schedule
CSM’s spring commencement activities will begin the evening of May 23 with the annual Honors Reception to honor those students whose academic work in specific areas of study is meritorious. Each academic division views this event as an opportunity to recognize promising students. The reception is by invitation only to those being recognized and their guests.
A nurses’ recognition program will be held at 1 p.m., May 24 in the Physical Education (PE) Building, with a reception immediately following on the upper level.
The college’s commencement ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., May 24 on the Administration Building (AD) lawn. Guests are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony. A reception will follow the ceremony in BI Building, Room BI-113/113E.
Rain location for commencement is the PE Building and tickets are required. Students have been provided tickets for guests to use in the event of inclement weather. Should the event occur indoors, overflow seating will be available in the Fine Arts Center (FA) where guests may watch the ceremony via broadcast in the Fine Arts Theatre.
Should activities be moved indoors, CSM will conduct bag checks at the PE Building and FA Center. All individuals may be subject to a bag check before entry. CSM Public Safety officials encourage guests to leave large secondary bags, diaper bags and backpacks in their vehicles or at home as these will be subject to the bag check process at the door.
Administrative offices at the La Plata Campus will be closed beginning at 3:30 p.m. for commencement although the buildings will be open and facilities will be available for guests and graduates.
The La Plata Campus College Store will be open until 7:30 p.m. A bookstore tent will have flowers, balloons and refreshments for sale.
Due to commencement activities, the PE Building at the La Plata Campus will be closed for fitness and aquatics activities on May 24.
Normal operations will continue at CSM’s other campuses.
Please note that CSM is a smoke-free campus. All tobacco and vapor-producing products are prohibited everywhere on CSM property, including all parking lots and in personal vehicles.
CSM’s campuses are accessible to patrons with disabilities. Sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired will be available at commencement. Guests who require additional assistance are asked to contact the academic support/ADA coordinator at 301-934-7614 or glennisd@csmd.edu.
For information on commencement, email graduation@csmd.edu or visit www.csmd.edu/commencement.
Calendar
CSM 2018 Spring Commencement. 6 p.m., May 24. College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, Administration Building Lawn, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata. The College of Southern Maryland will recognize its spring graduates. Guests are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Rain location, Physical Education Center (PE Building) with additional seating in the Fine Arts Center; tickets are required to the PE Building; however, tickets are not required to the Fine Arts Building (FA), where the ceremony will be broadcast in the event of inclement weather, but seats are limited. All guests are subject to a bag check before entry. Nursing recognition will occur at 1 p.m., May 24, in the PE Building. graduation@csmd.edu, www.csmd.edu/commencement