CSM Seeks Nominations for Distinguished Alumni Award

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Alumni and Friends Connection is currently accepting nominations for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. This award honors former students who have distinguished themselves through outstanding professional achievements, exemplary service to the community and/or exceptional service to CSM.

“We have more than 30,000 alumni, many of whom are doing phenomenal work in our Southern Maryland communities,” said Toni Kruszka, CSM’s alumni and donor relations manager. “This award puts a spotlight on their ongoing contributions and lets everyone know our alumni’s accomplishments remain CSM’s brightest points of pride.”

Nominations are invited from alumni, faculty, staff, trustees and the community. Alumni may also nominate themselves or others. A selection committee comprised of alumni will review all applications and the award will be presented at 2023 Spring Commencement May 12.

The recipient of last year’s inaugural award was Jehnell Linkins ’83, the pre-engineering program coordinator at CSM and an adjunct faculty member. She provides informal help and mentorship to struggling students, creates opportunities for students to serve the community, sponsors activities aimed at increasing the number of underrepresented populations entering STEM careers, and runs the nonprofit organization Crohn’s Glitter and Girls, Inc.

“Your service and what you give to others is like your rent for being here on earth,” Linkins said. “When you give, you get it back ten-fold."

Nominees for the Distinguished Alumni Award must have attended CSM with a minimum of 25 credit hours or have graduated with a degree or certificate; provided exceptional service to CSM through volunteerism or financial support; demonstrated exemplary service to the community; or demonstrated personal or professional achievements in their field.

“We look forward to reading the nominations and learning about how CSM alumni are making a difference in the community,” said Kruszka.

Nominations and supplementary materials can be submitted at https://www.csmd.edu/foundation/alumni/distinguished-alumni-award1.html.

The CSM Alumni and Friends Connection serves as a vehicle for alumni and friends of CSM to maintain a lifelong partnership in its educational and cultural programs and to provide a link between the college and the community it serves. Join today at https://www.csmd.edu/foundation/alumni/join.html.