La Plata, MD – On what College of Southern Maryland President Dr. Bradley M. Gottfried “a very joyous occasion,” CSM held its 16th annual Winter Commencement Thursday, Jan. 15 at its La Plata campus.

Gottfried stated that there were 636 candidates for graduation. Two hundred and seven graduates received their degrees at the ceremony.

“The oldest graduate tonight is 70, the youngest is 14,” he declared, adding that students who come to the college from home schooling often enter academic studies early on the community college level.

He noted that there were 85 programs of study represented by the graduates, adding that there were two sets of mother and daughters graduating, along with 17 veterans.

Gottfried said the youngest of the graduates took a class in sign language and became enamoured, and will be attending Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. to become a sign language interpreter.

“Our graduates will become teachers and engineers, you name it, they will be it,” he said.

Gottfried added that while some graduates obtained their degree in four years, the vast majority of CSM students sometimes take anywhere from five to 10 years to realize their dream of graduating.

CSM Graduate and Student Representative Susan Marie Newton, graduating with a degree I early childhood education, told her fellow graduates, “Success in life is not a destination, it is a journey.

“No matter how many times I wanted to give up, my journey continued regardless,” Newton said.

She said that “for 20 years I have started and stopped college, through marriage, raising children, divorce, full and part-time work, a mentor at CSM wouldn’t let me give up.”

She told her classmates to “surround yourself with friends and family, people who are supportive. Let them lift you up when you feel like quitting.”

Commencement Speaker Capt. Ed Nicholson, USN, retired and founder of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing said he had no idea when he went to Walter Reed Army Hospital for cancer treatment that he would find potential, passion and purpose for his life. Nicholson said when he met the many veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, missing limbs that he realized his own illness paled by comparison.

“I saw a young solider in a wheelchair, legs missing, holding a baby,” Nicholson said. “Suddenly my own recovery seemed trivial.”

Nicholson founded the Project Healing Waters organization using his passion—fly fishing—to give veterans a way to rediscover themselves.

“Fulfill your potential,” he told the graduates. “Grow it. Fulfill your passion. It’s the way to a life lived with purpose.”

Michael L. Middleton, chair of the CSM Board of Trustees, presented the college’s Distinguished Service Awards to Linda Leigh, a CSM graduate who lives near the campus, who since 1984 has made it a daily routine to pick up litter around the campus on her morning walks; and former Maryland delegate Johnny Wood, a longtime supporter of the college.

Adjunct Faculty Professor of Mathematics, Physics and Engineering John Warren was presented the annual Faculty Excellence Award by Faculty Senate President Michael R. Green.

Gottfried also recognized five students who had passed in the previous year, and lamented the passing of Professor Bill Montgomery, who taught biology and financial sciences, a 1961 graduate of the former Charles County Community College who returned to make his career there.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com