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The College of Southern Maryland will celebrate its 53rd spring commencement at the La Plata Campus, May 10, with the keynote address to be provided by Dr. Joseph Urgo, president of St. Mary's College of Maryland.

Prior to coming to Southern Maryland, Urgo served as chief academic officer at Hamilton College in upstate New York where he led the faculty and oversaw the College Library, the Registrar’s Office, the Nesbitt-Johnson Writing Center, the Emerson Gallery, Hamilton’s study-away programs, intercollegiate athletics and several other academic support programs and centers. He is a professor of English, and taught courses in American literature while serving as dean of faculty.

Urgo created the position of associate dean for diversity initiatives, improving the recruitment and retention of faculty of color during his time at Hamilton College. He also conducted a series of alumni association meetings around the country, "an evening with the dean of faculty," in cooperation with the Development Office.

A native of Hartford, Conn., Urgo received his bachelor's degree in 1978 from Haverford College with a major in political science. He holds a master's degree from Wesleyan University and a master's and Ph.D. in American civilization from Brown University.  

CSM’s spring commencement activities will begin with an Honors Convocation at 6 p.m. on May 9 on the Administration (AD) lawn. A nurses’ recognition program begins at 1 p.m., May 10 in the Physical Education (PE) Center, with a reception immediately following on the upper level. The college’s commencement ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. on the AD lawn. Rain location will be in the PE Center and tickets are required. Students have been provided tickets for guests to use in the event of inclement weather. A reception will follow the ceremony in the Center for Business and Industry (BI) Building, Room BI-113.

For information on commencement activities, visit http://www.csmd.edu/commencement/.