Dear Parents,
With the end of the semester upon us, we’ve collected the most important information about advising, registration, Commencement, and other exciting end-of-year events at St. Mary’s College of Maryland!
Advising & Registration
Academic Advising Day will take place on Tuesday, March 29, and registration for all degree-seeking students will open on Wednesday, March 30. Encourage your student to connect with their academic adviser to discuss their plans for coursework in fall 2022.
Registration for summer courses is currently open through Friday, May 13. Summer courses provide a great opportunity for students to stay on track for graduation. Check out this year’s summer course offerings.
Upcoming Events
This Friday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Michael P. O’Brien Athletics and Recreation Center, St. Mary’s College will host comedian Reese Waters during the annual Twain Lecture Series on American Humor and Culture. Waters has forged a career in comedy, sports and broadcasting with appearances on Good Morning America, NPR, Comedy Central, TNT, ESPN, WUSA 9 and more. Advance reservations are required for the Twain Lecture Series, and ticket prices are $10 for general admission.
On Saturday, April 9, the student-run Programs Board will host its annual World Carnival featuring free activities and live entertainment. The Office of Alumni Relations will also host Spring Break-a-Sweat on Saturday, April 9 featuring alumni reunion games against the current volleyball, field hockey, basketball and soccer teams.
Lastly, Bay to Bay Service Days will be held throughout the month of April, which is National Volunteer Month. Students, families and friends are invited to perform an act of service in their community or join one of the many group projects around D.C. and Maryland.
College News
On Friday, February 25 during the State of the College address, President Tuajuanda C. Jordan premiered the new campus fight song, “Fly High Mighty Seahawks.” The song was composed by Mary Purtilo ’23 and performed by the PING vocal ensemble, and was one of 13 entries to the College’s fight song competition launched in September 2021.
Skipper Leo Boucher ‘23 (West River, Md./South River) was one of eight collegiate sailors picked to represent the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) in the bi-annual ICSA – British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA) Tour this upcoming summer (July 15-August 9) in England. The two-time ICSA Men's Singlehanded National Champion (2019 and 2021), Boucher is the eighth Seahawk sailor to be selected for the ICSA-BUSA Tour as sailor. He joins Mark Ivey '99 (1997), Justin Law '08 (2005), Jesse Kirkland '10 (2009), Joshua Greenslade '13 (2013), Mayumi 'Mimi' Roller '13 (2013), Mackenzie Cooper '17 (2017), and Carolyn Smith '17 (2017).
Commencement
Commencement is fast approaching on Saturday, May 14. The Commencement website has been updated with details about ordering caps and gowns, the ceremony, and moving out of the residence halls, among other items. If your student is experiencing a financial hold, this will impede their ability to participate in Commencement and receive their diplomas. Please reach out to the Business Office at (240) 895-4306 to address any financial holds.
As part of the end-of-year festivities, your student can take part in the annual Lavender Graduation on Friday, April 29 from 3 -5 p.m. Lavender Graduation is a celebration specifically for graduating seniors in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Parents are also invited to attend the Awards Convocation on Friday, April 22 from 3 - 4 p.m. in the Michael P. O’Brien Athletics and Recreation Center.
COVID-19 Information
After consulting with the St. Mary’s County Health Department, St. Mary’s College relaxed its mask mandates for indoor events on Tuesday, March 1. Masks are still required in all classrooms, laboratories and studio spaces regardless of vaccination status but are otherwise optional in indoor spaces. The continued wearing of masks in small, congested spaces is strongly suggested. Your student can request two free KN95 masks from their resident assistants.
You and your student can stay up to date on resources and recommendations for keeping our campus healthy and safe by visiting the Spring 2022 Reopening webpage. If your student needs to report a positive COVID-19 test, they can do so through the Wellness Center.