CSM Honors its Outstanding Faculty, Alumni, and Supporters at its 66th Commencement

Outstanding College of Southern Maryland (CSM) faculty, alumni, and supporters were recognized and awarded during Friday’s 66 Commencement held at the La Plata Campus.  

There, Professor of Ceramics Alice Yutzy received the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award; Professor of Biological Sciences Margaret Bolton received the Full Time Faculty Excellence Award; Kelly Robertson-Slagle received the Distinguished Alumni Award; and Jacqueline and Dr. Freeman Hrabowksi and the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union both received the Trustees Distinguished Service Award.  

Ceramics Professor Yutzy Receives Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award   

Alice Yutzy has served as an adjunct ceramic professor at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) since 2009, inspiring countless students and colleagues, through the works of clay.   

As a result, her students and peers chose her to receive CSM’s Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award.   

Professor Andrew Wodzianski, who has been with CSM for nearly 18 years, called Yutzy the art and humanities department’s “rock. Specifically, she’s more than just our rock. She’s our rock’s main component – clay. Without Professor Yutzy there would be no ceramics program at the College of Southern Maryland.”   

Yutzy “is a master teacher,” he continued. “A master of her craft, she extends that knowledge to her students, and they in turn produce masterful works. The proof of this cycle is literally on display. Our department has purchased four works from her students that now belong to our CSM permanent collection.”    

Wodzianski called her “a constant and positive presence in my working life.”   

Yutzy began as an adjunct ceramic professor, initially teaching evening classes and later transitioned to daytime courses. She also took on the role of coordinator for the ceramics program.   

In her classes, the ages of the students range from teenagers to octogenarians, with experience levels from beginner to advanced. Assignments in ceramics cover art production, research, art criticism, master of ceramic vocabulary, and practical knowledge such as making clay, glazes, classroom management, and loading the kiln to bake the clay. “I just want to express my appreciation for having you as a professor this year,” one student wrote to Yutzy. “I’ve learned so much and have found a new love for ceramics, which I couldn’t have done without your guidance. I’m sad that this will be my last class with you, but I’ll always cherish the memories that were created.”   

Another student wrote, “This course was my introduction to the art of ceramics. I feel like I have learned so much throughout this course and I really enjoyed the assignments. I was excited to come to class every time and Professor [Yutzy] offered great advice and made the classroom environment very comfortable. Each assignment allowed me to challenge myself creatively and I was able to learn more about the history of ceramics.”   

“I am most proud of imparting the love and joy of working with clay to my students,” Yutzy said. “I always start my first class of the semester sharing with the students my love of clay and the hope that they will fall in love with clay also. Patience and the ability to nurture and encourage each student to express their own voice through working with clay exemplifies my teaching philosophy. It is always a joy to watch each student become acquainted with clay and eventually master basic techniques. Students of all levels in my ceramic classes at the College of Southern Maryland are a joy and an inspiration to teach. It has been my privilege to be their instructor.   

“It has been my true honor to work in the Fine Arts Department at the College of Southern Maryland. My colleagues have been a pleasure and a joy to work with. Each of my colleagues has been an inspiration and an illustration of excellence in the teaching of their respective disciplines. Their support and camaraderie has been integral to my success as a college professor,” she added. 

 CSM Science Professor Bolton is Honored with Full Time Faculty Excellence Award    

 Margaret Bolton, biological sciences professor at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), received the Full Time Excellence Award, nominated by her peers and students. The award honors faculty for outstanding achievement in classroom teaching, contributions to both their department and to the college, professional development, and community commitment.   

Bolton, who has been with CSM for nearly 18 years, has reached many students over her tenure, instilling in them a love for science and medicine.   

“I feel so humbled and honored to be receiving this award from my peers,” Bolton said.  

In her teaching philosophy, she said she is most proud of incorporating a sense of belonging in the classroom. “I work hard to create a sense of belonging in my classrooms and labs by getting to know my students and letting them see the ‘authentic me’ when I teach. We learn to trust one another, which helps us build a sense of community, and creates an environment where students feel free to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow in their understanding of science,” she said.   

On the first day of class, Bolton is sure to learn the names of every one of her students. By the third week of class, students turn in a letter containing their schedule, their fears, their motivations, their academic goals, and any obstacles in their life that may present challenges. With that information, Bolton built her office hours around her students’ schedules and assembled study plans, including any tutoring or study groups needed.   

 In her classroom surveys, many students shared their gratitude and praise for Bolton’s teaching style.   

“She has definitely re-sparked by love for science and medicine,” one student said.   

“She has been an amazing professor. She always goes above and beyond to help students understand the content, and she is exceptionally accommodating when students have situations to deal with outside of class. It is obvious that she genuinely cares about her students and their success, and she’s also just a really nice person,” said another student.   

“Professor Bolton is an exceptional teacher,” said another student. “She is kind and empathetic as well as a great communicator. She desires her students to succeed and does all she can to help her students. She provides office hours and other resources for anyone who wants it. I always looked forward to coming to her class. She is engaging and makes topics interesting even if I was not necessarily interested in the topic at first. I would recommend her to anyone.”   

“I would like to thank my family, friends, and CSM family,” Bolton said of the award. “I would not be where I am today without your love and support. It really does take a village.”   

CSM Names Robertson-Slagle as Distinguished Alumni for 2025   

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) and CSM Foundation have named Kelly Robertson-Slagle as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding success and distinction in a chosen field or profession, a strong commitment to the community and charitable outreach, and continued interest and service to CSM.   

Robertson-Slagle graduated from CSM in 1995 with an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration and Management Development. Today, she is the director of the Charles County Economic Development department.   

Her family also has deep ties with CSM.   

“As a regional economic developer, I’ve seen firsthand how CSM drives entrepreneurship, workforce development, and regional growth,” Robertson-Slagle said. “Supporting this impactful institution comes easy — because its influence is real, lasting, and deeply personal. To be recognized by such a transformative community partner is both an incredible honor and a truly humbling experience.”  

“With over 25 years of experience in economic development, Kelly has established a remarkable career marked by innovation and leadership,” Samantha Stratchko, chair of the CSM Alumni Committee, wrote in her nomination.   

“A lifelong resident of Charles County, Kelly exemplifies the values of leadership, service, and excellence that define the CSM community,” Stratchko continued.   

In November 2021, Robertson-Slagle was appointed as the director of economic development for Charles County, becoming the first woman to hold the position. In that role, she  leads a 12-person department, focused on attracting capital investment, creating diverse employment opportunities, and advancing agricultural and business growth across Southern Maryland.   

Before becoming the economic director of Charles County, Robertson-Slagle served for 15 years in the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, rising to the role of director there.   

She also held leadership positions with the Maryland Small Business Development Center and the Maryland Department of Commerce, where she championed initiatives to support local entrepreneurs and drive statewide economic progress. Her efforts have built strong bridges between communities and key regional, state, and federal development agencies.  

Robertson-Slagle’s educational journey began at CSM and continued at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. She is an alumna of Leadership Maryland, Leadership Southern Maryland, and the NACo High Performance Leadership Academy. In 2022, she earned her Master Economic Development Practitioner (MEDP) Certification from the University of Southern Mississippi.  

Despite her many accolades, Kelly remains deeply rooted in the values she embraced at CSM, Stratchko wrote. She and her husband Jeff — whom she met in a CSM math class in 1992 — are both proud members of the Class of 1995. Together, they’ve built a life grounded in family, community, and service.   

Her children then continued their education at CSM. “Our son, Tyler, pursued his associate’s degree here, and our daughter Morgan got an early start through dual enrollment while still in high school,” she said.   

“My brother, Will, also attended CSM right after high school but ultimately chose to enter the workforce. I’m proud to say that nearly three decades later, he returned to finish what he started and earned his associate’s degree. That’s just one example of why I’m such a strong supporter of this incredible institution — CSM meets you where you are and offers opportunities at every stage of life,” she said.   

“Kelly continues to give back to the institution that helped shape her path. In 2012, she helped establish the Captain Billy Robertson Endowment Fund at CSM in memory of her grandfather. For the past five years, she has served on the CSM Foundation Board of Directors, playing a key role in securing partnerships and resources to support the college and its students. Through her philanthropy and advocacy, Kelly’s legacy continues to empower future generations at CSM,” Stratchko wrote.  

 CSM Awards Hrabowskis and Educational Systems Federal Credit Union for Distinguished Service to the College    

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) bestowed its highest honor – the Distinguished Service Award – to two awardees for their extraordinary service to the community college.   

Jacqueline and Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, and Educational Systems Federal Credit Union were both named to receive the Distinguished Service Award. Each year, the CSM Board of Trustees awards this honor to individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses that provide exceptional support in helping the college achieve its mission and goals.   

Through the Jacqueline and Freeman Hrabowski Charitable Giving Fund, which assists students and community across the region, the couple established the Dexter K. Bordes Scholarship Endowment at CSM in memory of their brother-in-law, Dexter Bordes. He died in 2024 after courageously fighting cancer for 13 years. He served on the CSM Foundation Board of Directors from 2019-2024.   

Freeman Hrabowski, president emeritus of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, donated his time and talents delivering remarks at CSM’s first Master Leadership Class to executive, senior, and student leaders on Jan. 29.   

In total the Hrabowskis have given $100,000 to the CSM Foundation.   

Since 2005, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union has been a loyal supporter and advocate of CSM, supporting faculty, staff, and student initiatives.   

In November 2023, the credit union presented the CSM Foundation with a gift of $100,000 as part of a renewed partnership agreement that has the long-standing partner of CSM investing even more in the college’s students, faculty, staff, and college-wide initiatives.   

As part of the renewed agreement, the credit union has committed to collaborate with each CSM campus to support a variety of programs, including offering financial consultations with certified credit union financial counselors; providing financial education seminars; engaging in speaking and mentorship programs; and sponsoring various college initiatives.   

The credit union has also agreed to support all CSM Foundation events including alumni fundraisers, class registration days, commencement/convocation events, faculty appreciation events, and health and wellness fairs.  

The total giving from Educational Systems Federal Credit Union to the CSM Foundation is $155,379.   

All of these efforts are in addition to ESFCU Support Education Foundation’s partnership with CSM, which already includes offering a $3,000 annual scholarship to students; the annual faculty excellence awards; the annual $1,000 Maurice Erly Professional Development Award to college faculty; and the annual Warming Hearts and Hands event.