my.CSMD
Students Take the Stage May 9, 2025, for CSM’s 66th Commencement Ceremony
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will recognize 1,364 candidates for 820 degrees and 1,118 certificates during its 66th Spring Commencement May 9 at the Physical Education Building at the La Plata Campus.
The CSM School of Liberal Arts commencement will begin at 9 a.m. and Jacqueline Henderson Carson, of Calvert County, will address her class. Carson, is receiving her associate degree in Arts and Sciences with highest honors. While at CSM, she was involved with the college’s art club and participated in the CSM Annual Student Juried Art Exhibition in 2024 and 2025.
The School of STEM and Professional Studies commencement will begin at 1 p.m. and Delphine Emmanuelle Damen Fonke of Charles County will address classmates. Fonke is receiving her Associate Degree of Applied Science, Business Management, with highest honors. Attending CSM for two years as an Early College student, she is a senior at Westlake High School where she played girls varsity basketball and varsity lacrosse.
The School of Health Sciences commencement will begin at 5 p.m. and Kara Jade Novak of Calvert County will give remarks. Novak is receiving her Associate Degree of Applied Science: Pre-Professional Health Science with highest honors. She plans to continue her education in the fall at the University of Maryland College Park.
Of the students being celebrated, 568 are from Charles County (42 percent), 391 are from St. Mary’s County (29 percent), 341 are from Calvert County (25 percent), and 64 are from outside the region. Sixty-five percent of the graduates are women and 35% are men. Nearly 29 percent of the students graduated with honors. Most degrees were awarded in arts and sciences at 27 percent, followed by nursing at 12 percent, business management at 10.5 percent, cybersecurity at 6.2 percent, and business administration at 4.5 percent. The top certificates obtained were in general studies transfer at 78 percent, with the remaining awarded in business management, cybersecurity technology, and accounting. This year’s graduates range in age from 17 to 69.
CSM Spring Commencement Schedule
CSM’s Spring Commencement activities take place at the Physical Education Center (PE Building) at the La Plata Campus. CSM holds three commencement ceremonies on the same day to align with the college’s schools. On May 9, the schedule of ceremonies will be:
- School of Liberal Arts at 9 a.m.
- School of Professional and Technical Studies 1 p.m.
- School of Science and Health at 5 p.m.
Tickets are required for entry and guests are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the ceremonies.
The safety of CSM students, guests, and employees is of utmost importance. CSM will conduct bag checks at commencement, and all individuals may be subject to a bag check before entry. CSM Public Safety officials encourage guests to leave large secondary bags, diaper bags, and backpacks in their vehicles or at home.
The only permitted bags to commencement will be small clutch bags, no larger than 4.5” x 6.5,” clear tote bags, no larger than 12” x 6” x 12,” and plastic storage bags (1-gallon, clear bag).
Small medical and/or parenting bags will be permitted on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to increased security screening.
For more information about commencement visit https://www.csmd.edu/csmgrad2025/index.html.
A livestream of the ceremony will be available at https://www.csmd.edu/csmgrad2025/index.html. A video of each commencement will also be available on the college's YouTube channel following the events.