CSM Class of 2026 to Celebrate Commencement on Friday, May 15

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will recognize 1,190 candidates for 771 degrees and 743 certificates during its 67th Spring Commencement on Friday, May 15 at the Physical Education Center (PE Building) at the La Plata Campus.  

CSM will hold three commencement ceremonies on the same day to align with the college’s schools. the schedule of ceremonies will be: 

• School of Liberal Arts at 9 a.m. 
• School of STEM and Professional Studies at 1 p.m. 
• School of Science and Health at 5 p.m. 

Markala Pharr has been selected as the student speaker for the School of Liberal Arts ceremony. Pharr received her Associate of Arts degree in Psychology in fall 2025, and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Prior to her associate degree, Pharr earned a certificate as a member of the first cohort of Prince Frederick Early College students. While at CSM, Pharr served as President and Secretary of the Student Government Association and was an active member of the Women in Excellence program. She plans to continue her education to earn a doctorate in psychology.

Kaleb Bennett will address the graduating class during the School of STEM and Professional Studies ceremony, having received an Associate of Science Degree in Engineering. Bennett is back in the classroom after receiving a bachelor’s degree in animation in 2017, following new dreams of working in the aerospace industry. During his time at CSM Bennett has been a member of the Models of Excellence program, Engineering Club, and worked as a tutor at the Math Resource Center. He will be attending the University of Maryland in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering.

The final ceremony will feature student speaker Loren Eiland, who is receiving an Associate of Science degree in Nursing. A Navy veteran and mother of two young children, Eiland holds an associate’s degree in general science. She decided to return to college at CSM to follow her dream of being a nurse. She is currently working as an ER nurse at MedStar St. Mary’s and plans to pursue both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing. She hopes this journey will inspire her children to pursue their dreams no matter the challenges.

This year’s graduates represent communities across Southern Maryland, with 535 from Charles County, 324 from St. Mary’s County, 288 from Calvert County, and 42 from outside the region. They range in age from 15 to 72. Sixty-seven percent are women, and 33% are men.

The most popular degrees were awarded in arts and sciences with 24 percent. Nursing is the next popular, followed by business administration, cybersecurity, and pre-professional health.

The most popular certificates were obtained in general studies transfer with 68 percent, followed by cybersecurity, accounting, business management, and health science.

More than 23 percent of the students graduated with honors.

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, as well as a link to a live-stream of each ceremony, visit https://www.csmd.edu/csmgrad2026/index.html