23 newly minted teachers ready to bring fresh ideas to schools in Southern Maryland and other areas graduated June 28 with St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degrees.

President Jane Margaret O’Brien made opening remarks and presented the graduates with their degrees at the commencement ceremony in St. Mary’s Hall. Dr. Lawrence Leak gave the commencement address. Leak is a College trustee and recently retired chief academic officer of University of Maryland University College. He is also vice chairman of the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission.

In noting that this is the second class of M.A.T. candidates to graduate, O’Brien applauded the 2008 class, saying, “I know you admire the faculty deeply. I know the expectations are very high, as is the academic rigor asked of you.”

Paul Michael Christian, a resident of Lusby, Maryland, gave the student address. Noting that “none of us got here alone,” Christian thanked his professors, in particular Ardith Harle, assistant professor of educational studies, and Teresa Field, associate professor and department chair.

Special appreciation was shown during the ceremony to Dallas Plugge Dean (’60) for her establishment of the Dallas P. Dean Teacher-Education Award. She created the scholarship to encourage students to teach. Dean, who graduated from St. Mary’s Junior College and, in 1962, American University, taught fifth grade in the public schools her entire career. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded a M.A.T. student, based on need and meritorious achievement as decided by the College’s Educational Studies Department. Christian is the 2008 scholarship recipient. Harle presented Dean with an award certificate and an angel pin in thanks for her long-standing support.

The following students were awarded the M.A.T. degree:

Amanda Alonso-Valenteen, of Mercersburg, Pa.
Jessica Marie Baker, of Gaithersburg, Md.
Katherine Hemsley Barnes, of Wayne, Pa.
Cali M. Chase, of Myersville, Md.
Paul Christian, of Lusby, Md.
Barry Erb, of Pottstown, Pa.
Ashley Fussell, of Millersville, Md.
Kendra Leigh Hildreth, of New Windsor, Md.
Jessica Erin Jolliffe, of Hughesville, Md.
Michelle Alice Mason, of Tall Timbers, Md.
Clare Dudley McLean, of Arlington, Va.
Melissa Karen Molitor, of Lexington Park, Md.
Jeannie Elizabeth Monico, of Lusby, Md.
Sharlitta Novella Myrick, of Upper Marlboro, Md.
Samantha Elizabeth Parisi, of Island Heights, N.J.
Melissa Autumn Puzak, of Arnold, Md.
Gabrielle Michelle Sivak, of Lexington Park, Md.
Kelly LaRose Rohacek, of Lusby, Md.
Robert B. Schou, of Annapolis, Md.
Jaclyn Michelle Summer, of Hampstead, Md.
Vanessa Lyn Vizcarrondo, of Harwood, Md.
Derek Drew Willard, of Leonardtown, Md.
Shannon A. Williams, of Baltimore, Md.