CSM Grads Celebrate at Winter Commencement
625 Candidates Recognized; Youngest 17, Oldest 72
The College of Southern Maryland saw 625 of its students receive their degrees and certificates at the school’s 17th winter commencement Jan. 21 at the La Plata campus.
There were 608 associate degrees and 309 certificates awarded. Nearly a quarter of the degree candidates earned a 3.5 grade point average or higher.
Most of the associate degrees were awarded for general studies, arts and sciences, business administration, and nursing, while general studies: transfer, criminal justice, and emergency medical services-paramedic topped the list as the most popular certificates. More than 60 percent of the graduates were women; the oldest graduate is 72 and the youngest graduate is 17.
“I’m inspired every time I walk into a classroom, but, especially, when I see the success of our students,” CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried told the audience and graduates. “What really impresses me is that I know that some of our students have come out of high school, come full time and graduate in two or three years. There are others, because of working conditions, because of family obligations, they are taking one or two classes a semester and it may take eight, nine, 10 years to complete their degrees—and that makes their success that much sweeter.”
The Honorable Andrea R.S. Watkins and student speaker Heather Murphy gave some of the highlights of the ceremony with their keynote remarks, and the presentation of a Distinguished Service Award and a Faculty Excellence Award.
The youngest graduate at the winter commencement is Kelly McGowan, 17, of Charlotte Hall. Ms. McGowan started collegiate studies through an early college program at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va. She transferred to CSM and completed a degree in arts and sciences with honors.
CSM afforded Ms. McGowan the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects, including “fun classes” such as ceramics, theater costuming, and botany, and “serious classes” such as astronomy, algebra, Western civilization, and literature, she said.
“CSM was a highly convenient educational institute and my professors definitely brought their ‘A-game’ to it,” Ms. McGowan said.
Following graduation, Ms. McGowan plans to work for a while with her father preparing tax returns in his accounting firm, while also exploring several career paths.
“After tax season is over, I’m going to see if I can try being a bank teller, a veterinarian assistant, or possibly an organic grocery store associate — seeing what I might like to pursue and then working toward a bachelor’s degree in that field. I’m taking a year off to fulfill a deferred childhood staple of ‘poking at 50 million different potential careers until you find one that sticks,’” she said.
Faculty Excellence Award Honoring Adjunct Faculty
The annual Faculty Excellence Award Honoring Adjunct Faculty was presented to Dr. Margaret Dowell of the Communications, Arts and Humanities Division.
“Margaret Dowell is CSM’s best-kept secret. She is an instructional phenomenon with one of the most impressive records of accomplishment I’ve encountered. Three distinctions are important: her scholarship with artists suffering from drug addiction, her dedication of service to the art students of CSM and her personal artistic practice,” said professor Andrew Wodzianski who nominated Dowell for the award.
Nursing Recognition
The 12th winter class of 37 nursing students participated in a recognition ceremony earlier in the day Jan. 21. Health Sciences Chair Dr. Laura Polk presented an Academic Achievement in Nursing Award to Hannah Margaret Arnold of Lexington Park, who graduated with high honors. Christine Nicole Hurry of Clements received the Achievement in Nursing Award which is given 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 photos from commencement and the Nursing Recognition Ceremony, visit the photo site. 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.
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