March 29, 2024

CSM Reception Welcomes Trade Students

Trade Students at CSM

Sixty-six students were welcomed to the Hughesville Campus of the College of Southern Maryland with a reception in the Center for Trades and Energy Training CORE construction lab.

The tradesmen and tradeswomen, considered first-year skilled trade students, are starting CORE construction, Part 1 HVAC, or Part 1 welding classes in pursuit of certifications.

“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate that you have chosen the College of Southern Maryland and our Center for Trades and Energy Training for your career preparation,” CSM President Dr. Maureen Murphy told the crowd before handing out ball caps and cake to the attendees. “The world as we know it, would not exist without your expertise.”

Dr. Murphy shared a report from the National Center for Construction Education and Research that described the nation’s critical need to revitalize the construction industry.

“The backbone of our society rests on the craft professionals who build our hospitals and schools, wire electricity within our homes, and bring us indoor plumbing,” she quoted.

“There has never been a better time to be in the trades,” echoed CSM Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development Dr. Dan Mosser. “The nationwide shortage of skilled craft professionals — carpenters, electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC technicians, and all the trades – exceed 1.5 million positions. Today, skilled trades professionals – craft workers and journeymen alike – earn on average $9,835 more annually than the four-year degree graduate.”

Retired US Navy Master Chief Roy Naraine, 65, of Waldorf said he decided to follow in his sons’ footsteps by attending classes at CSM’s CTET this semester.

The 30,000-square-foot CTET, the first building on the Regional Hughesville Campus, provides residents direct access to specialized training in career fields that have substantial growth potential including welding, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and core carpentry skills.

The “Tip of the Hat” welcome reception capped off a week of celebrations across CSM’s campuses as the institution marks its 60th anniversary during 2018 and its rich history supporting Southern Maryland’s residents and economic development.

“We are your community college, and we see this 60th milestone as being one for everyone in Southern Maryland to share in celebration,” Dr. Murphy said. “The most powerful things happening at community colleges are that entire families are being changed forever and the opportunities just open up.”

Such is the case for first-year skilled trade student Roy Naraine, 65, of Waldorf. After finishing his master’s degree in human resources and management from Webster University last spring thanks to the GI Bill, the retired US Navy master chief with 30 years of active duty said he decided to follow in his sons’ footsteps by attending classes at CSM this semester.

Mr. Naraine’s son Shawn completed the CSM pre-engineering program through the Southern Maryland Engineering Partnership with the Naval Air Warfare Center and the University of Maryland at College Park. Shawn finished a four-year engineering degree in Southern Maryland by completing his first two years of college at CSM and then transferring to the University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering located at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center to complete his final two years of studies. He is now employed with U.S. Naval Air Systems Command.

Mr. Naraine’s son Jonathan, a Marine veteran, also attended CSM and received an associate degree in criminal justice before transferring to the University of Maryland to earn his bachelor’s in the same field.

“This is a lot of fun, and this class keeps me young,” laughed Mr. Naraine. “I go to school with my neighbor’s kids!”

The new students welcomed this semester to CTET’s programs are:

Calvert County

  • Tavarse Chew
  • Garrett Dove
  • William Knott
  • Bryan Rawlings
  • August Rowell
  • Dylan Takemori
  • Robert Taylor
  • Jody Thompson
  • Brendan Truitt
  • Joseph Vasquez
  • James Wilde

Charles County

  • Isaiah Alston
  • Angela Barnes
  • Thomas Berry
  • Stephen Brown
  • Bailee Campbell
  • Derrick Cunningham
  • Brelin Elliott
  • Eric Garcia Sanchez
  • Leonard Gary
  • Tyler Getgen
  • Carolyn Gillespie
  • Marcel Hammond
  • Jordan Hammonds
  • Jahnathian Harrison
  • Matthew Harrison
  • Cameron Hogue
  • Keyshaun Jones
  • Marquel Jones
  • Carroll Laws
  • Clifford Levins
  • James Mason
  • Keith Moss
  • Randall Myers
  • Roy Naraine
  • Cole Pepin
  • Kelvin Proctor
  • Charles Richardson
  • Aminatta Sesay
  • Walter Shaffer
  • Tyler Shotwell
  • Ryan Tamayo
  • Rico Thomas
  • Jacob Winkler

Washington, DC

  • Ben Hailu

St. Mary’s County

  • Ryan Chan
  • Norman Clark
  • George Delozier
  • Alec Dobbins
  • Denise Donavon
  • Cornell Ford
  • Tanner Gilbert
  • Marcus Holt
  • Michael Lyons
  • Michael Mattingly
  • Kelly McGowan
  • Alexander Meath
  • Jeremy Murray
  • Khendall Nasman
  • Tyrone Nolan
  • Kevin Pickeral
  • Edward Pontzer
  • William Scales
  • Johnny Sipes
  • Eliot Willenborg
  • William Wood

The 74-acre Hughesville Campus provides offerings and programs to serve the entire region in a cost-effective and convenient way. The master plan for the regional campus, as designed and presented by Grimm and Parker Architects, is designed to create a sense of community and includes five phases of growth. Learn more about CSM’s Regional Hughesville Campus at the college’s website.

For more about the College of Southern Maryland, visit its Leader member page.

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