CSM Celebrates 13th Winter Commencement



Video: RADM Michelle Howard gives the Keynote speech at CSM's Winter Commencement.

LA PLATA, Md. (February 9, 2012)—The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) recognized 511 candidates for degrees and certificates during its 13th Winter Commencement held Jan. 12 at the La Plata Campus.

“When you watch our graduates walk across the stage—this is an amazing feat for most of them because most have families, they work, they have a life and they are outstanding students. For them to reach this point is nothing short of incredible,” said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried as he welcomed the family and friends gathered to celebrate 148 of the graduates who participated in the evening ceremony. “What they share—and they share a very important attribute—is the understanding of the importance of a college education.”

CSM awarded 500 associate degrees and 242 certificates: 43 percent of the students receiving awards are from Charles County, 31 percent are from St. Mary’s County and 23 percent are from Calvert County; 3 percent are from outside of the region. Nearly one-quarter of all associate's degree candidates for graduation earned a 3.5 grade point average or higher.

Associate degrees were awarded predominantly in the fields of general studies, business administration, and arts and sciences, while general studies: transfer and advanced and basic accounting topped the list as the most popular certificates. Of the graduates, 67 percent were female. The ages of this winter’s associate’s degree and certificate recipients ranged from 18 to 64.

The most senior candidate for graduation is Susan T. Kruszka, 64, of Waldorf. Kruszka earned an associate’s degree in arts and sciences and an associate’s degree in general studies. “It’s taken a long time,” she said of the academic journey she began in the 1970s.

The youngest candidate for graduation is Alyson Dodson, 18, of Park Hall in St. Mary’s County. Dodson began her studies at CSM as a dual/concurrent homeschool student at the age of 16 and through the years attended classes at all three campuses and the Waldorf Center. She completed the requirements for an associate’s degree in general studies in August and transferred to St. Mary’s College of Maryland where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in anthropology.

CSM’s commencement ceremony also recognized students who earned certificates and letters of recognition.

Sharma Egner, 48, of Waldorf, celebrated achieving the first steps in her path toward an associate’s degree by receiving certificates in office technology and information processing and letters of recognition in computer office skills, clerical assistant, medical transcription and legal transcription. She began taking classes at CSM in 2008 and quickly became more confident in her academic abilities. As a stay-at-home mother who homeschools her children and helps with the family’s business, Egner feels that she is setting a good example. “I’m not just telling my children that education is a good thing—I’m showing them that they can set goals and reach them,” said Egner.

Egner organized her academic workload as stepping stones from letters of recognition to certificates. “I wanted to be able to add my accomplishments to my resume as I work my way to an associate’s degree,” she said, adding that she is on track to earn another certification this spring before reaching the credits she needs for her associate’s degree in general studies at the end of the fall 2012 semester. “I like structure. I can be flexible, but with teaching, school and work I need to be organized and manage my time well,” she said.

CSM’s eighth winter class of nursing students participated in a recognition ceremony earlier in the day. Health Services Chair Dr. Laura Polk presented an Academic Achievement in Nursing Award to Rachel Emerson of Lusby, who graduated with highest honors. Michele Spaulding of Huntingtown received the Achievement in Nursing Award which is given by CSM faculty 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.

Commencement keynote speaker Rear Admiral Michelle Howard, chief of staff to the director for strategic plans and policy, J-5, Joint Staff is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Army’s Command and General Staff College, with a master’s degree in military arts and sciences. In 1999, Howard took command of USS Rushmore, becoming the first African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy. Howard shared a number of personal stories with graduates including one referring to her petite stature. “Life’s success in not about your height. Life’s success is about aspiring to the heights. So how do you manage that successful climb, and how do you overcome the challenges on this journey of life?”

CSM’s Board of Trustees recognized Calvert County residents Donna Wayson and JoAnn Kushner, Charles County residents Jay and Mary Lilly and CSM Foundation Director Al Leandre and his wife Lisa with Trustees’ Distinguished Service Awards for their support of the college.

The following students at the College of Southern Maryland were recognized as
candidates for associate's degrees or certificates at the 13th winter commencement ceremony
held Jan. 12 at the La Plata Campus:

Calvert County

Barstow
Trischana Shemeka Davies

Broomes Island
Kimberly Marie Barnes

Chesapeake Beach
Joshua Thomas Brown
Sarah Rebekah Cattell
Richard Thomas Cox Jr.
Christin Elizabeth Fallin
Jennifer L. Fanton
Monica M. Fellows
Hillary M. Griffie
Aaron Michael Gwynn
Danielle Emma Harrington
Shaun Everett Kline
Michael Steven Martin
William Richard Merkle
Jared William Moret
Robin Elizabeth Norvell
Lisa Marie Serafino
Tara Irene Shumate
Jessica Lynn Snell
Theresa Irene Williams
Tina Marie Williams
Ashley E. Woodell

Dowell
Kim E. Wells

Dunkirk
Dana Elizabeth Adams
Emily Elisabeth Dare
Joseph Michael DeNavas
Nancy Cory Gardner
Alison Toepfer Meador
Jennifer Denise Parkerson
Rebecca Ann Ripple
Dennis M. Staff II

Huntingtown
Christina Nicole Addicott
Heather Leigh Brooks
Jordon M. DeGennaro
Nicole Saundra Fennelly
Cody Tyler Ford
Dennis James Haspert
Jonathan Robert Henderson
Nicholas E. Malay
William Christopher Marshall
Kirsten Michelle Mettam
Carolyn R. Moore
Jeanette Marie Owens
Brian David Pounsberry
Michele D. Spaulding
Megan C. Villano

Lusby
Katie Elizabeth Allen
Belinda Barney
Ashley Michelle Berry
Darren Matthew Bivens
Laura Marie Boswell
Jacklyn Michelle Brock
Alyce Beatrice Brown
Margaret E. Cannon
Mable M. Clay
Christina Marie Close
Rachel Lynn Emerson
Megan Elizabeth Garren
Sharon Marie Green
William Jesse Gross
Amanda Faith Hankins
Wendell D. T. Hicks
Suzanne D. Kerill
Leroy William Klasko, Jr.
Brian Andrew Lauver
Elana F. Masincupp
Ronald William Rambo Jr.
Ashley Nichole Robinson
Courtney Marie Rocco
Renee Joy Saunders
Travis Carlyle Schrader
Kiersten Marie Shea
Brandon W. Simmons
Lonita L. Torney
Jacob Clay Truhlar
Roxanne Nicole Washington
Toni L. Zinn

North Beach
Jenifer Marie Dboneberger
Michelle Leigh Ivkovich
Jessica Lee Scott
Jessica Ann Thomas
Michael Lee Wagner

Owings
Antoinette Marie Andrews
Edward Casey Burtenshaw
Amy Marie Cadmus
Megan Jean Edinger
Monet Marie Hammond
Diana Kay Harris
Catherine B. Leonard
Chin Yon Plaudis
Amanda Valltos
Kevin Voelling

Port Republic
Sarah Cobaugh
Justin McCloud Duvall
Jennifer Lynn Strayer

Prince Frederick
William E. Buckmaster
Samantha Lee Chaffee
Kathryn N. Dobson
Sean Ryan Donahue
Heather Marie Farrell
Stephen Dale Godwin
Tashyra Ashley Jones
Charlene Amber Jones
Kari Ann Marlowe
Jessica E. Middendorf
Kevin Jeffery Miller
Stephanie Amber Morris
Wendy M. Rawlings
Myles J. Ringel-Kane
Tamika Noel Roberts
Michelle D. Young

Saint Leonard
Jennifer Theresa Berry
Nicholas Michael Bowles
Scott Daniel Caudill
Micki Khan Dawson
Matthew H. Fallek
Morgan Ann Harger
Constance Jutta Marcum
Joseph William McGrane
Daniel Pfannenstein

Solomons
Brandon Jacob Milcarzyk
Jennifer Michelle Reid
Simon Stuart Thomas
Antonay Vinette Wright

Charles County
Accokeek
Carmelino P. Balacuit

Bel Alton
Jennifer Ann Foster
Paul Nicholas Sanford

Benedict
Forrest Leonard Freeland III

Brandywine
Melissa Marie Shanks

Bryans Road
Keith L. Carter
Charles Michael Donaldson III
Melissa A. Johnson
Sarah Nicole Kemmerer
Stephanie Kuhn
Lucie S. Lavarn
Kelly D. Lewis
Benjamin Gerd Mrongowius
Mia Jayde Pierre
Adnan Zaheer Qureshi
Juanette O. Sullivan
Jeffrey Allan Sweeney Jr.

Bryantown
Cali Rose Tucker

Charlotte Hall
Megan Leigh Cooksey
Laura Jeanette Durner
Kelly Victoria Gerrie
Mary Geneva Yates

Cobb Island
Kimberly Shawna Johnston

Hughesville
Whitney B. Burch
Kimberly Jane Deavers
Constantinos S. Galiatsatos
Morgan P. Griffiths
Steven Michael Grinder
Carla C. Hall
Melissa Rachel Reyes Kang
Christopher J. Kreilick
Kathryn A. Kreilick
Harold P. De Lauder
Hannah Mae Montgomery
Sabrina Earlene Richards
Christopher Joseph Santiago
David Lee Windsor Jr.

Indian Head
Rashaunda K. Bowman
Crystal L. Butler
Mary Ellen Chapman
Brenda Cruz
Stephen William Galvin
Adrienne Christina Hines
Joshua James Lisi
Courtney Rae Lough
Jessica N. Luttrell
Miriam Aguilar Rincon
James Edward Wareham

Issue
Kristin M. Lake

La Plata
Olayemi Ayabode Adedoja
Danielle Marie Bailey
Ariel Marie Baker
Angel Annelis Negroni Borandi
Donald O. Butler III
Christopher Patrick Chapman
Marie A. Clarke
John Michael Crawford
Crystal Marie Cromwell
Mary Ann Douglass
David Downs Jr.
William Francis Fitzpatrick III
Steven W. Fugate
Susan Gage Gilson
Alyssa Rochelle Helland
Michelle Cathryn Henderson
Kathryn Hupp
Vernell P. Jones
Kelly Keelan
Jacob A. Kiessling
Lindsay Brooke Longshore
Melinda Mellott
Lissa Nackley
Amanda Michele Norris
Jessica Lynn Osborne
Denise L. Perillo
Tamera Lynn Porter
Constance Renea Righter
Mark Bennett Rose
Derek Aaron Smoot Jr.
Rose M. Spriggs
Nereida Tellechea
Kiersten Renee' Thompson
Madeleine C. Walter
Veronica Dacey Weimert
Mary Katherine Welch
John Darren Yates Jr.

Marbury
Whitney Paige Muenze

Mechanicsville
Terri L. Buckler

Nanjemoy
Tiffany M. Burch
Andrew Furr
Kodie LeAnne Hayes
Farrah Y. Proctor-Darbo

Newburg
Benjamin Joshua King Buchanan
Lisa Ann Golway
Robin L. Long

Pomfret
Sarah N. Cave
Sonya J. Kegg
Sarah B. Toribio
Meredith Makensey Wagner

Port Tobacco
Rikki L. Blanchard
Camila Gimenez Fraiz

Swan Point
Melissa Gomez
Lindsey Michelle Gregor

Waldorf
Daniel A. Adedeji
Jennifer L. Akowskey
Karen Lorena Amaya
Sarah C. Arneson
Jennifer A. Austin
Helen Marie Banting
India Mahogany Barnes
Anthony James Barrell
Breanna Simone' Beckham
Kyle O. Beuchert
Michael R. Bowersox
Kara Elizabeth Bracey
Britni Andrea Briscoe
Jasmine D. Britt
Andrea Linette Brower
Tiera Latrice Buchanan
Michael F. Burger
Mary A. Butler
Jordan Alexandra Chapman
Richard Travess Conway
Damonica L. David
Paul-Michael Davis
Sabine Dorestal
Sharma L. Egner
Christopher Henry Elliott
Menen Zipporah Emanuel
Shannon F. Fletcher
Reginald Andrew Forbes
Atlas Andrew Ford
Sarah Elizabeth Gesl-Spencer
Dana Nicole Gillum
Tammi Terril Gordon
Patrick Leo Greer
William David Grimes
Jacquelyn Gabrielle Grissett
Neil Hawkins
Kimberly Ann Hemsley
Dea'Junea Sylvia Hodge
Alan C. Hovis
Tawanya Nicole Hutchins
Nasear N. Jones
Terrance Carlyle Key
Richard A. Leigh
Melva L. Massey
Leslie A. McBroom
Chelsea Mignon McLaughlin
Barbara Ann McShea
Alisha Z. Mills
Elijah M. Muriuki
Jeremy Richard Neff
Dylan A. O'Brien
William J. Panitz
Robert H. Polis
Brittany Danielle Price
Snezana Racic
Michelle Lynne Ramos
Sarah Catherine Reed
Michael Vernon Rhoades
Shireen Richardson
Diondrea M. Ricks
Jeannie Cecilia Riley
Sara Rose Rzechula
Beenish Safdar
Tyvese Christine Savoy
Homer V. Sepnio
Brian Joseph Shallue
Michelle Simonds
Amy Bailey Smith
Julie Mae Smith
Sarah Catherine Smith
Alberta E. Sollers
Djoulde Sow
Randolph L. Sullivan
Betty Jane Tennison
LaQunda J. Taylor
Alvin Pernell Thomas II
Marcus E. Thomas
Lea Nicole Kinsey Thompson
Christel Linette Tibbs
Heather A. Tolson
Diana L. Tomasello
Jacqueline Z. Vasquez
Jennifer Jean Wagner
Richard E. Watson
Benjamin J. Weeks
Courtney Nicole Michelle Witt

Welcome
Amanda Rose Gilroy
Carol Lynn Luskey

White Plains
Alicia Corinne Beale
Kevin Thomas Brannan
April Diane Burroughs
Casey J. Davis
D'Andre Matthew Gibbs
Angelina Marie O'Leary
Michele Denise Corley
Kelli Michelle Davis
Hassan El Sayed
Zachary Andrew Gromen
Nicole Marie Grusholt
Joshua A. Harkelroad
Nayeli Villarreal Hernandez
Patricia Lynn Johnson-Madden
Sandra Ivette Richardson
Felicia A. Spruill
Lateisha Nicole Thompson

Prince George's County
Accokeek
Thomas X. Green
Patrice I. Irick

Bowie
Amy Marie King

Brandywine
Nicole C. Bradshaw
Lori Lynn Goldsmith

Capitol Heights
Saundra E. Brown

Cheltenham
Deborah A. Araujo

Clinton
Olubunmi Temitope Adeleke
Stephanie Marie Chappell
Omar Irvin

Fort Washington
Maya Sharell Banks
Christina A. Brown
Christopher Patrick Chapman
Claudell Immanuel Clarence Ellis
Davis U. Luceriaga

Laurel
Chasity N. Williams

Silver Spring
Deborah S. Goodwin
Alissa Sophia Paulena Mam

Upper Marlboro
Malik Lawrence Bob
Zackary A. Casey

St. Mary's County
Abell
Erin Marie Cornelius

Avenue
Justin Earl Bowlds
Donald Joseph Morgan III
Maryann Genevieve St. Clair

Bushwood
Emily Mical Arnold
Christopher J. Gustafson

California
Daniel R. Budzenski
Jane Clare Burke
Steven A. Elgersma
Alicia D. Evans
Rebecca L. Hysell
Victor Alfred Menard Jr.
Cynthia D. Nash
Alyssa N. Perna
Erica Jennette Shanks
Ashley Arlene Sharf
Ashley Lauren Taylor
Joel Anthony Wathen
Nicole Lane Wilson
Jonathan Russell Wise

Callaway
Cody Ray Blanton
Trista R. Keller
Brittney Kayelani Vincent

Charlotte Hall
Zachary S. Bongianino
Colleen Marie Cord
Marlyna J. Croson
Brett T. Garner
David Earle Gerrie Jr.

Clements
Sherri Anne Gray
Kari Anne Guy

Compton
Jeffrey Allan Mead

Dameron
Misty Dawn Lallande
Erin Nichole Wingo

Great Mills
Mirna Aurich
Carlos S. Brooks
Diosdado Bie David
Gordon Anthony Mason
Casey Jo Mellott
Robert Gordon Montgomery
Robert Timothy Rowand

Hollywood
Christopher Lee Coogan
Caitlin Jayne Crosby
Sean Thomas Crowley
Robert William Darrah
Ashley Elizabeth Dean
Owen M. Denham II
Christina deVos
Mary Carla Emory
Emily Maguire Ford
Rebecca Sue White Humpal
Bradley W. Mattingly
Johnny R. Mills
Randall P. Nelson
Justin S. Noonan
Brandon Mark Nueslein
Megan Lynn Nueslein
Kasey Taylor Russell
Ashley Lynn Sellner
Stephanie Michelle Short
Emily Renee Springer
Grace Ann Stewart
Stacey Lynn Stone
Jessica Nicole Whitehurst

Leonardtown
Sarah Christina Arneson
Jennifer Rose Bates
Brittany Nicole Bell
Michael Cole
Paige E. Fletcher
Ashley Marie Halsey
Victoria Marie Hamlet
Michael L. Higley
Justin Robert Hollander
Harry Jackson III
Rebecca L. Knight
Audrey Lightfoot
Kacey Lynn Lloyd
Lisa Anne Maggio
Karla A. Mooney
Asma Mubashar
Brittany Marie Owen
Paul Joseph Passfeld
Steven Joseph Potter
Thomas Ashton Rio
Heather Michelle Schrader
Garrett Lance Strzok
Brandie Lee Winters

Lexington Park
Ryan J. Barickman
Jean Davis Campbell
Alicia Shante-Marie Carter
Aylene G. Cruz
William John Dagenhart
Terry A. Dart
Tia M. Deloatch
Nicole Elizabeth-Susanne George
Kyle Robert Henry
Carissa Nicole Humphrey
Rasheeda J. Jones
Andrew S. Kelly
John F. Miller
Juan Gerard Mojica
Vy Khanh Nguyen
Laura K. Pasik
Amanda Lynn Pilkerton
Katherine Ann Prescher
Kathleen S. Preston
Tammy R. Price
Austin Michael Samblanet
Brenda Denise Sanders
Nathaniel Chatwin Seevers
Tomica L. Scriber
Reva J. Smith
Tara S. St. Marie
Charlie-Marie Coulby Stamm
Christa Lynn Stamper
Kasey M. Standal
Kathleen Rose Stark
Teresa Amber Tucker
Christopher Wayne Wilson
Katelyn Brooke Woods

Mechanicsville
Erika Lynn Beach
Kimberly Michelle Beachy
Jessica Ann Breeden
Kayla Elise Bryant
Terri L. Buckler
Marquita Marie Coates
Angela Caitlin Cook
Rachael Michele Copsey
Jacqueline Mary Courville
Jennifer Lee Dixon
Melissa A. Edwards
Jennifer R. Gardiner
Heather R. Gilbert
Steele Gladston, Jr.
Nicole Elizabeth Godwin
Catherine Elizabeth Hancock
Melanie Erinn Hardy
Danielle R. Hardy
Nichole A. Higgins
Lisa Lynn Hill
Erin Karnbach
Theresa M. Konen
Tiffany Leigh Lawrence
Allen J. Lyon
Timothy S. Meyer
Eleanor M. Moreland
Randi L. Morse
Jason A. Newcomb
Sara Katherine Oliver
Jaymie Lyn Phipps
Patricia D. Pullen
Jamie Marie Rader
Brian P. Rodrigues
Shanon Lorain Roulette
Patricia Anne Smith
Ashly Nicole Tayman
Karen Leigh Tippett
Kristen Titus
Jason Edgar Tominack
Mark Davis Tominack
Danielle L. Tyrrell
Hannah Marie Wetzel
Sharon Marie Wilkerson
Autumn Hope Wood
Melaney Dawn Wood
Alexandra Marie Zaremba

Park Hall
Alyson Caroline Dodson
Heather Lynne Russell

Patuxent River
Jessica Nicole Simmons

Ridge
Christopher Wayne Wilson

Saint Inigoes
Brian Michael McKnight

Out of Region
Baltimore
Serina Hoff
Tara Nicole Stringer
John R. Sherouse

Damascus
Faith M. Hayes

Deale
Stephen Eugene Stanton Jr.

Hanover
Tanisha N. Lynch

Lothian
Jennifer D. Ellis

Towson
Payal Mukesh Amin

Smithsburg
Susan B. Bailey

Out of State
National City, Calif.
Jamie L. Salanguit

Bogota, Columbia
Ana Carolina Leguizamo B.

Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
Diana Elizabeth Rodgers

West Palm Beach, Fla.
William Earl Tyler II

Greenville, NC
Natasha Mary Terry

Southern Pines, NC
Damian Abell Blake

Coalport, Penn.
Melisa A. Peacock

Fairfax, Va.
Jennifer Nicole Oliver

Mt. Holly, Va.
Ashley C. Farmer

Norfolk, Va.
Megan Christine Stangl

Sandstone, Va.
Ashley Hanford Thompson

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