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More than 1,300 Hawks Soar into the Future Following CSM’s 66th Commencement
It was a proud, reflective, and exciting day for College of Southern Maryland (CSM) as its faculty, staff, supporters, and community cheered for hundreds of its student graduates at the 66th Commencement exercises on May 9 held at the La Plata Campus.
This year, 1,364 CSM students earned degrees or certificates, receiving 820 associate degrees, and 1,118 certificates in a total of 1,938 awards in 81 programs of study.
“Today is a celebration – a momentous occasion marking the achievements, the dedication and the resilience of an extraordinary group of students who will soon enter their communities as CSM graduates and proud Hawk Alum,” CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson said at the first ceremony of the day for the School of Liberal Arts. “We are thrilled to have you here to share in this special moment and bear witness to this memorable day,” she said.
“You have achieved something truly remarkable,” she continued. “Your class has earned an impressive number of degrees and certifications, with 1,364 candidates receiving a total of 1,938 awards – each one represents the determination, growth, and an unwavering belief in what’s possible.”
The youngest CSM graduate “is just 17 years old, and our most seasoned graduate is 69 years young, and it reminds us that it’s never too early – or too late – to pursue your goals,” Wilson said.
“And for those of you graduating with honors – 29 percent of you have received an honor designation – we applaud your academic excellence and the hard work it took to achieve it. Well done!” she added.
Following Wilson’s remarks, George Bedell, President of the CSM Faculty Senate, shared his thoughts with graduates on the value of a lifetime of learning. CSM Board of Trustees Chair Shawn B. Coates then continued speaker introductions, including student graduate speeches.
Jacqueline Henderson Carson graduated from CSM on Friday with an associate degree in Art at the age of 60, she told the audience. She had already earned a bachelor’s degree from Emerson College in 1986, but returned to community college at CSM two years ago to pursue her lifelong passion in arts, instilled from her mother at an early age.
“Earning my degree has helped me improve my skills and to gain more confidence in my artistic abilities,” she said.
She shared advice to her fellow graduates. “Do something that makes you happy, no matter your skill level, because if you want to be really good at something you have to be willing to be really bad at it. Improvement takes time and patience,” she shared.
“Try to do your best. Things may not work out the way you want them to, but there are a lot of opportunities out there and you don’t always know where they will come from or where they will lead you,” she said.
During the ceremony for CSM’s School of STEM and Professional Studies, Delphine Emmanuelle Fonke shared her story with her fellow graduates. An Early College student, Fonke is a senior at Westlake High School, where she played girls’ varsity basketball and varsity lacrosse. Earning her Associate Degree of Applied Science, Business Management, Fonke is next heading to St. Mary’s College of Maryland on a full scholarship to continue her studies.
She said during her time at CSM her confidence only increased. She used to dread public speaking, but she took a class on it with Professor Sarah Merranko and afterward understood the importance and value of communication skills in all walks of life.
“CSM didn’t just prepare us academically, it has prepared us as people,” Fonke said. “We learned how to be independent, how to persevere, how to ask for help, and how to lift others up along the way. We became more than just students. We became leaders, thinkers, creators, and friends.”
She advised her classmates following graduation, “Take everything you’ve gained here – every skill, every friendship, every lesson, and use it. Don’t let these sit neglected on a shelf. Apply what you have gained. Challenge yourself. Speak up, even when you’re scared. Go after what scares you a little, because that’s where growth awaits. And most importantly, show up, not just for others, but for yourself.
“Whether you’re transferring to a four-year university, entering the workforce, developing yourself for greater career enhancement, or figuring it all out, know that you are capable. You’ve already proven that. You’ve overcome so much to be here today. Let me remind you, every time you doubt yourself, that you can absolutely do hard things,” she concluded.
CSM students, faculty, and staff took time during the School of Professional and Technical Studies Commencement to remember student Demarley Martin.
Wilson called Martin “a remarkable student, a brilliant mind, and a kind spirit — whose presence left a lasting impact on our College of Southern Maryland community.”
Demarley started with CSM as a dual enrollment student while attending Westlake High School, graduating in 2021. He joined CSM full-time that fall and pursued his Associate of Science in Engineering with focus and passion, Wilson said. In Fall 2024, he successfully completed his degree, earning a 3.32 GPA a testament to his dedication and intellectual curiosity. “Today, we proudly recognize that achievement with the posthumous conferral of his degree,” Wilson said.
“Those who had the privilege of teaching Demarley speak of him with admiration and deep respect,” Wilson continued. “One professor recalled Demarley as one of the most dedicated and respectful students in their Calculus-Based Physics courses. Even while facing personal health challenges, Demarley remained committed to his studies, ensuring that no assessment went unfinished. His enthusiasm for physics was infectious, inspiring both his peers and his professors.”
His family came to the stage to receive his posthumous Associate of Science degree in Engineering.
Kara Novak was the featured student speaker for the School of Health Sciences commencement where she shared her experience at CSM. “I was able to complete my degree much more efficiently thanks to CSM’s dual enrollment program and their acceptance of my advanced placement credits from high school,” she shared. “I started my degree having already 21 credits.”
With an associate’s degree in Pre-Professional Health Sciences, she next plans to transfer to University of Maryland to pursue a bachelor’s degree in physiology and neurobiology.
During the commencement exercises, CSM presented awards to Margaret Bolton, professor of science, for the Full Time Faculty Excellence Award; to Professor of Ceramics Alice Yutzy for the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award; to Jacqueline and Dr. Freeman Hrabowski and Educational Systems Federal Credit Union for the Trustee Distinguished Service Award; and to Kelly Robertson-Slagle for the Distinguished Alumni Award.
In her concluding remarks to graduates, President Wilson said, “So today, we celebrate not just a graduation, but a transformation. You have exhibited strength of mind, strength of heart, and strength of will, and because of that, you – have inspired us.
“So, congratulations Class of 2025! Move forth boldly, always act justly, and lead with head, humility, and heart. We believe in you, are so very proud of you, and cannot wait to see what your bright futures will hold!” Wilson concluded.
To see photos of the Commencement exercise, visit https://csmphoto.zenfolio.com/25maygrad.
To see videos of the ceremonies visit https://www.csmd.edu/csmgrad2025/index.html.
CSM Students Graduating with Honors, High Honors and Highest Honors:
Accounting: Advanced
Alec Xavier Viar Estravez
Accounting: Basic
Alec Xavier Viar Estravez
Abigail Frances Vanecko
Business Management
Halie R. Caperones
Lorenzo Cappa Layla Rose Carrino
Lydia Creola Chandler
Joel Escobar Orozco
Delphine Emmanuelle Damen Fonke
Tahj Georges-Giovanni Franco
Kiera Divinity Gnotsavath
Carla Denise Jones
Kyle Philip Kost
Niya Allyah Lewis
Higinio Martinez, IV
Alexis G. Milam
Aliyah R. Nichols
Nishtha Sanjay Patel
Naiyanna Carmen Proctor
Kaylee M. Putnam
Kristabelle Amaris Agullana Salazar
Chloe Jarde Stanford
Eli O. Stevens
Cadence Merie Tolbert
Gabrielle Sophia Turner
Joleen Choulin Wang
Trinity Elise Watford
Mark Franklin White II
Criminal Justice
Jakob C. Getsinger
Lakisia Lynette Washington
Cybersecurity
William Fleitz
Robert Garcia
Data Science
David Mac Bailey
Digital Marketing Management
DaShawn N. Rustin
Drafting
Peter John Santoro
Electronics Technology
Kathryn E. Baker
Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic
Kasey Marrie Mentzer
General Studies
Amber Michelle Bias
Genna Carmela Bucklew
Ryan Jacob Burnett
Logan H. Campbell
Nicole L. Carron
Echo River Soliel Collins
Laura Elizabeth Comey
Alexander B. Crofcheck
Javier A. Delgado Campbell
Kaydance Edgeman
Noah Elliott
Kleyah Milian Fairley
Avaya Michele Fields
Kiley Brianne Fitzpatrick
Aniya Giselle Gaskins
Quinn Isabella-Leigh Grant
Leah Hayes
Isabel Marie Jefferson
William Kaylor
Ange Gabriella K. Dassi
Hailey Annabelle Lizotte
Erica Anne Martin
Jerbauri Rosevelt McFadden
Kaylee Ann Overby
Kayla Patz
Brigham Peterson
Grace Eleanor Piatt
Brooke Marie Portzen
Aliya Queen
Hannah Ray
Daniel Thomas Renzi
Aaliyah C. Roach
DaShawn Rustin
Lauren Riley Sanders
Kennedi Natoria Scott
Leo Morgan Shifflett
Malina Chasity Silver
Taylor N. Skillin
Rebecca Lynn Spring
Sara Jane Tawney
Nevaeh Tashay Thomas
Christopher Edward Thumm
Matthew D. Traquair
Zaire-Alexander Eugene Walker
Renico Reagan Williams, Jr.
Sydney Rose Wolf
Graphic Design
Taylor N. Skillin
Health Sciences
Loralei Eden Osterhouse
Human Services: Alcohol and Drug Counseling
David L. Childs
Shelitha Fullwood
Shara Quincyona Nolan
Human Services: Mental Health Technician
Kelsea Mishelle Hancock
Kara Anne Wagner
Medical Coding Specialist
Yvonne R. Hill
Pharmacy Technician
Loralei Eden Osterhouse
Photography
Isabelle Renee Garcia
Accounting
Bailey Bowie
Alec Xavier Viar Estravez
Jonas David Schommer
Art
Zariah Ira Gray
Arts and Sciences
Grace E. Adams
Lauren Caroline Allie
Cody Allen Alvey
Olivia Becraft
Lily Grace Bennear
Jesse Lynn Betz
Wiktor Mariusz Blachowicz
Aaliyah N. Blackmon
John David Tristan Boley
Elizabeth Ann Bowling
Genna Carmela Bucklew
Sara Brianne Carson
Kaylee Cordova
Leroy W. Crawford
Merrick O. Davis
Kleyah Milian Fairley
Luke Conrad Garrett
Jakob C. Getsinger
Mason H. Goddard
Starra Dominica Grajales-Murphy
Anais Leah Harley
Garrett W. Heiston
Nicole A. Holley
Isabel Marie Jefferson
LaTisha Marie Jones
Selena Elizabeth Kooy-Bernal
Mya C. Mahaffey
Erica Anne Martin
Katelynn Nicole Maten
Kara Jade Novak
Loralei Eden Osterhouse
Jack B. Rooney
Brittany Ferrari Saunders
Micah J. Savarese
Abigail Kaiulani Schaffer
Jaqrai Louis Smith
Sara Jane Tawney
Erika Gabriella Velasco
Zaire-Alexander Eugene Walker
Sydney A. Warlin-Taylor
Annabelle F. Wick
Sam Zolfaghari
Arts and Sciences: Art
Jacqueline Henderson Carson
Kyle Hunter Kasupski
Amaria McCauley
Baseemah S. Najeeullah
Nea Tucker
Arts and Sciences: Exercise and Sport Science
Kara Reagan Bradbury
Corinne Mathis Dehn
Arts and Sciences: History
Megan A. Mills
Arts and Sciences: Music
Erich A. Donnelly
Arts and Sciences: Social Sciences
Marisabelle Aponte-Martinez
Alainah D’Onofrio
Tracy D. Hurt
George J. Selph
Eric J. Wiggins
Business Administration
Caleb Robert Bean
Carly Rae Eastburn
Jack L. Goodwin
Alyssa M. Henderson
Megan Ann Hinton
Kaelyn Kolberg
Kaylee Ann Overby
Aaliyah C. Roach
Andrew P. Shryock
David J. Thompson
Christopher Edward Thumm
Danielle Leigh Vanbrunt
Sydney Irene Verhaagh
John Clarence Wiegman IV
Nicholas Aiden Wyandt
Business Management
Megumi Anderson
Halie R. Caperones
Layla Rose Carrino
Lydia Creola Chandler
Joel Escobar Orozco
Delphine Emmanuelle Damen Fonke
Tahj Georges-Giovanni Franco
Kiera Divinity Gnotsavath
Megan Ann Hinton
Carla Denise Jones
Caitlyn E. Kaleda
Patrick Thomas. Kapper
Kyle Philip Kost
Niya Allyah Lewis
Hailey M. Lobenstine
Higinio Martinez, IV
Braulio A. Matus
Aliyah R. Nichols
Nishtha Sanjay Patel
Naiyanna Carmen Proctor
Kaylee M. Putnam
Kristabelle Amaris Agullana Salazar
Chloe Jarde Stanford
Eli O. Stevens
Jaelin Nicole Tidwelll
Cadence Merie Tolbert
Gabrielle Sophia Turner
Joleen Choulin Wang
Trinity Elise Watford
Mark Franklin White II
Cloud and Information Technology
Carl Benjamin
Amanda Taylor Sadler
Jopet Salvacion Santos
Carlos Omar Torres
Computer Engineering
DaJuan Robert Butler
Andrew Warren Stancliff
Computer Science
David Mac Bailey
Mark E. Beaulieu
Ava Downing
Ryan Christopher Hulvey
Katelynne Deliliah Janssen
Jakob Dietrich Kunz
Catherine Lynn Roe
Ethan Wasniak
Drew William Youngson
Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Gerarde Blanchette
Jakob C. Getsinger
Krista Rose Kurtz
Katelyn Rae Tkach
Cybersecurity
Nicholas S. Abbotoy
Zeeshan Asim
Kaevon Borders
Hannah Gail Curley
Adam Clark Daugherty
William Fleitz
Jacob Eric Harris
Daniel A. Hunt
Benjamin Jones
Owen Paul Joy
Sheik Abdul Kanu
Dominick Michael Letourneau
Navesh Panta
William R. Scaggs II
Data Science
David Mac Bailey
Digital Media Production
Israel A. Cheatham
Jada Amari Cousins
Early Childhood Development
Heather Nicole Daniels
Emily R. Grace
Early Childhood/Generic Special Education Birth-Grade 3
Aija R. Branson
Alyssa Breann Darago
Rachel Faber
Wendy Golder
Electrical Engineering
Zakaria Ibrahim-Jirair Jabr
Electric Power Technician
Joseph R. Mattingly III
Elementary/Generic Special Education Grades 1-6
Stefanie Lynn Chaney
Aubrey Elizabeth Murphy
Emergency Medical Services
Jajuan Jefferson Cunningham
Elizabeth McWey Shelton
Engineering
Nicole L. Carron
David Andrew Reynolds
Oscar A. Ruiz
Aaron Urena
Patience Anna Yeh
Engineering Technology
Joshua C. Gray
Michael Edward Mack
Elian Cruz Masangya
General Studies: Communication
Cooper Kennedy Cox
Erin Gabrielle Mairs
Stephany Mateo-Hernandez
Brenda Mae Seger
General Studies: Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Ann Bowling
Kiley Brianne Fitzpatrick
Madison N. Frame
Corinne Olivia Mahaffey
Joseph Raymond Robinson, Jr.
Angela Marie Snell
Taylor Renee Williams
Sydney Rose Wolf
General Studies: English
Hope A. Hetrich
Larrissa Wolford
General Studies: Media Studies
DaShawn Rustin
Health Information Management
Michele A.C. Gibson
Krisann Mullican
Human Services
Hudaa Hannan Butt
Tiffany Cherie Hawkins
Iesha Patterson
Austin Rincones
Maura Pilar Smith
Megan Lynn Williams
Information Services Technology: Web Developer
Masafa Abdullah
Information Systems
Matthew Katulich
Sukhman Singh
Mathematics and Sciences
Aaliyah N. Blackmon
Rose Elizabeth Garrison
Tyler Mason Rose
Medical Laboratory Technology
Haven L. Kloiber-Hirshman
Fiona Vera Ross
Nursing
Maggie Louise Keicher Barnes
Lesli Bauer
Amber Michelle Bias
Kindle Cummiskey
Abolfazl Dohaei
Nenghui Eddy
Kalin Faith Lee
Meadow C. Mattson
Stephanie Kay Metzger
Angeleen J. Mulero
Barsha Neupane Karki
Kristin Patterson
Kaylin N. Urrego-Gallo
Erika Lynne Wilson
Physical Therapist Assistant
Shannon A. Roberts
Angelica Marie Santolaya
Pre-Professional Health Science
Madison Michelle Jury
Kara Jade Novak
Loralei Eden Osterhouse
Malina Chasity Silver
Michael Bryant Swanson
Psychology
Erika Gabriella Velasco
Sport Management
Zoi McKenzi Whitsett