The College of Southern Maryland celebrated 430 candidates for degrees
and certificates during its 52nd spring commencement ceremony held May
12 at the La Plata Campus.

Associate degrees were awarded predominantly in the fields of general
studies, nursing and business administration. Most of the certificates
were awarded in the areas of general studies: transfer, and basic and
advanced accounting.

At the 2011 spring commencement, CSM awarded 482 associate degrees and
198 certificates. Of the candidates for graduation, 70 percent were
female; 45.3 percent were from Charles County, 29.8 percent from St.
Mary’s County and 21.2 percent from Calvert County; 3.8 percent were
from outside the region. The ages of this spring’s recipients ranged
from 16 to 67.

“We recognize that many of you have completed your studies while
working, raising families and volunteering in your community,” CSM
President Dr. Brad Gottfried told graduates. “You have chosen to make
sacrifices in your life now in order to invest in a more promising
future. We hope you are forever linked to your college and to your
community. This is your alma mater and we take great pride in your
accomplishments.”

CSM’s most senior graduate this spring is Janis L. Jacobs, 67, of
Leonardtown, who received her associate’s degree in nursing. Following
a 20-year career in education and a 10-year career in real estate,
Jacobs is embarking on a career in nursing. (For more on Jacobs, visit
http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringNursing.html)

Olivia A. Wolski, 16, of Dunkirk is CSM’s youngest graduate this
spring, receiving an associate’s degree in computer science. “It’s
been a wonderful experience. I can’t imagine anywhere else in Southern
Maryland that would have given me the opportunity to graduate college at
the age of 16,” Wolski said. (For more on Wolski, visit
http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringGrad.html)

Courtney Sanders graduates with high honors and receives associate’s
degrees in biotechnology and biological sciences. Now, a student
studying biochemistry and mathematics at St. Mary’s College of
Maryland (SMCM), Sanders is able to transfer her organic chemistry class
credit back to CSM to meet her associate’s degree requirements. (For
more on Sanders, visit
http://www.csmd.edu/News/MediaResources/11SpringGrad.html)

CSM’s spring graduation produced the first graduate of the
college’s Scholars Program, Ana-Alecia Stauffer, 24, of Hollywood,
receiving an associate’s in arts and sciences. This program is a
selective admission program for students who are seeking academic
challenges. Stauffer, who graduated from CSM with an associate’s
degree in history in 2007 and who attended the University of Maryland
College Park for a semester, returned to CSM while saving funds to
continue toward a bachelor’s degree in history. “I didn’t want to
stop coming to school,” said Stauffer, who added that her mentor,
Professor Christine Arnold-Lourie, is encouraging her to continue to
work toward her ultimate goal of a doctorate in history and a teaching
career. “She has been wonderful and has been responsible for my love
of history.” (For more on Stauffer, visit
http://www