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CommunityCollege’s first, last graduates come together
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
 Click here to enlarge this photo Photos courtesy of COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Nina Roth of Lusby was awarded the Achievement in Nursing Award, presented to the graduate who demonstrates academic achievement, clinical competence, community service and leadership potential.
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Since the college opened in 1958, there have been more than 16,000 graduates.
The ceremony culminated in the linking of the first graduate, Welford Bowling of Charlotte Hall, with the college’s latest graduate, Mary Jane Rossi of Leonardtown, both of whom have a passion for education.
Rossi was the last of 208 graduates participating in the ceremony. Receiving an associate’s degree in secondary teacher education and a certificate in general studies transfer, she is a media clerk at Leonardtown Middle School.
The college’s first-ever graduate, Bowling began his studies at the community college on Sept. 17, 1958. His goal was to become a teacher. After receiving his associate’s degree in education, he transferred to Towson. He taught for three years, and then served as a principal for 23 years until 1989 when he retired as the principal for Walter J. Mitchell Elementary.
At the 2008 spring commencement, CSM awarded 406 associate’s degrees and 136 certificates. Of the candidates for graduation, 22 percent from Calvert County.
CSM’s oldest graduate this spring is Sharon Gross, 60, of Port Republic.
‘‘I took courses in the 1960s and Õ70s but I was raising seven children and there just wasn’t enough time to do everything I wanted to do,” said Gross, who returned to college not only to enrich her life but that of others. ‘‘I started Youth of Calvert County, a youth program that brings students into contact with mentors and teachers. Kids come out and participate when there is talent around, so we host concerts and art events that help them learn about us and what we do. I took art, theater and history classes at CSM so I could offer more to these kids,” Gross said.
Gross plans to continue her studies. ‘‘I am still interested in so many topics. I want to take more black history and literature classes, economics, criminal justice. I want to be able to educate these students, help them understand where they came from and the struggles of generations before them.”
Linda Kersnick of North Beach received the Academic Achievement in Nursing Award, given to the graduate with the highest grade point average in the nursing class, and Nina Roth of Lusby was awarded the Achievement in Nursing Award, presented to the graduate who demonstrates academic achievement, clinical competence, community service and leadership potential.
Previously in the Navy for five years, Roth returned to college to prepare for a second career in the healthcare field. She is a recipient of two scholarships — the James T. Mitchell and Grace E. Brown nursing scholarships — as well as a member of Phi Theta Kappa and has been nominated for the All-USA Academic Team.
The keynote speaker was Calvert County Board of County Commissioner’s president Wilson Parran (D), who encouraged graduates to maintain their optimism in times of adversity. ‘‘The feeling of uncertainty cuts across nearly every walk of life,” he told graduates as he listed challenges of rising foreclosures, gas prices, the environment and the Middle East. ‘‘It’s times like these when we must remember there are always times like these.”
Departmental awards were presented to Kristi Mitchell of Huntingtown, Matthew P. Tettimer of Port Republic, Michael Godfrey of Lusby, Susan Bearns of Huntingtown, Charles Mills of Prince Frederick, Chase Windsor of St. Leonard, Jo. E. Proctor of Chesapeake Beach, Samantha Harrison of Lusby and Ute Borland of Lusby.
