CSM Students Awarded Degrees, Certificates
57th Spring Commencement Held May 19
Hundreds of students crossed the stage on May 19, 2016, to receive their degrees and certificates during the spring commencement ceremony at the College of Southern Maryland‘s La Plata campus. All told, the college awarded 560 candidates for 882 degrees and certificates – the largest spring graduating class ever.
“When you think about our nation, and the melting pot that is our nation, think about community colleges because we are where America comes — all ages, so many nationalities, races, individuals who have special challenges — they come to our college because they know that we can help them to be successful. I’d like to believe that it’s not just the low cost, not just the convenience, it’s that we care deeply about [our students],” CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried said.
The college awarded 602 associate degrees and 280 certificates. Forty percent of students who received awards were from Charles County, 33 percent were from St. Mary’s County, and 21 percent were from Calvert County, with 6 percent from outside Southern Maryland.
Most associate degrees were awarded in general studies, nursing, arts and sciences, and business administration, while general studies: transfer, and general studies accounting: basic and advanced were the most predominant certificates. Women made up 65 percent of the graduates. The graduates ranged in age from 17 to 63 years old.
Student speaker James Edward “Eddie” Bowie, 33, of Hughesville told his fellow graduates, “No matter where you started, no matter how long it took you to get here, no matter how many twists, turns and bumps you faced along the way, congratulations.”
Bowie started his academic career at High Point University right after high school but did not finish his degree. He worked for a while with his father in their fresh produce distribution business, worked at a golf course, and had several jobs as a waiter before he decided that he wanted a career that would offer him a more promising future.
He chose engineering. He enrolled in CSM and worked his way from developmental math to Calculus II. He was accepted into CSM’s STEM Scholar Program, then worked as a physics lab student assistant and has been accepted into a very competitive summer internship with the US Navy. He will continue to study mechanical engineering at the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland in the fall.
Nursing Recognition Ceremony
Student Ana C. Malini of Great Mills was recognized with the Academic Achievement in Nursing Award, given to the graduate with the highest grade point average in the nursing class, during the nursing recognition ceremony earlier in the day. Samuel A. Griffith of California received the Achievement in Nursing Award, presented to the graduate who demonstrates community service, academic achievement, leadership potential, and clinical competence. The nursing program graduated 58 students this spring.
For photos from the ceremony, visit the photo website.
For more about the College of Southern Maryland, visit their Leader member page.
