St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the National Public Honors College, graduated 386 students with Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees on Saturday, May 10, outdoors on the campus’ Townhouse Green.
U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md., 8th), the Ranking Member on the House Committee on the Judiciary, delivered the keynote address. In his message, Raskin spoke of the current challenges to American democracy while kindling hope for the "other path" awaiting the graduates: "...the path of democracy and freedom, human rights, the rule of law, literature, education, research and art," he said. "And I can't prepare you for that path in two minutes, but that's all right, because the last four years of your time at St. Mary's have been your real preparation for this moment, because you embody the St. Mary's Way."
Raskin received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, presented by President Tuajuanda C. Jordan, accompanied by Board of Trustees Chair John J. Bell ’95.
In her final address, presiding over a commencement ceremony at St. Mary’s College, President Jordan reminded the class of 2025 of what they had accomplished together. "In the spirit of the St. Mary's Way, you have persevered through the challenges of the past few years with tenacity, patience and focus, balanced so importantly with a bit of fun," she said. "We trust your journey with us has given you the leadership tools necessary to have productive careers and exemplary lives displayed with grace and humility."
Bell also delivered a short message to the graduates. "As an alumnus, I remember what it felt like to sit in those front rows, filled with excitement about my path ahead," he stated. "And now three decades later, I feel that same sense of hope and possibilities standing before the Class of 2025."
The College’s newest alumni heard from one of the five class valedictorians: Devon Gorel, Robert Koontz, Morgan Kresslein, Sam Parizek and Alaina Sievert. Parizek was selected to address the class via lottery. Parizek charged his classmates to respond with kindness to the unprecedented times in the world they were about to enter. "[A]n unwavering and unflinching commitment to kindness is an unwavering and unflinching commitment to the values of this school, to the values of a liberal education, to the values of humanity," he stated. "Our position is not solely reactive or passive, but is brimming with agency, waiting to be energized and employed. I would suggest then that we proceed in our lives, in this nebulous world, not on autopilot, but through conscious engagement, emphasizing action, even amidst rampant inaction, and kindness."
President Jordan recognized four faculty who retired this year: Beth Charlebois, professor of English; Sandy Ganzell, professor of mathematics; Walter Hill, professor of political science and Andrew S. Koch, professor of chemistry. Together, the four represent over 100 collective years of teaching students.
The commencement was live-streamed on the College’s website, and that recording is available for view there.
About the Valedictorians
Devon Gorel is a double major in computer science and mathematics. He will be starting a career as a software engineer at Microsoft this July. Gorel is a member and captain of the varsity tennis team, as well as a member of the climbing club.
Robert Koontz is a Marine Science major. He is a 13-year Navy veteran with prior jobs in submarine sonar principles, recruiting, and weather forecasting. Future prospects involve pursuing jobs at Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory and will be moving to Tennessee with his wife and 2 dogs.
Morgan Kresslein is a neuroscience and biology double major and part of Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Beta Beta, Nu Rho Psi, and Chi Alpha Sigma honors societies. A member of the women’s soccer team and two-time recipient of the United East Elite 20 Award for her academics, Kresslein plans to pursue a Master’s degree in genetic counseling. While at SMCM, she was a tutor, a teaching assistant, and participated in directed research in genetics.
Sam Parizek is a Political Science and English double major. A former member of the the Washington Program, having interned under Rep. Steny Hoyer, and a Peer Tutor at the Writing Center, Parizek is looking to enter local politics and later pursue a graduate degree.
Alayna Sievert is a mathematics major and an educational studies minor. She is a captain of the women’s varsity volleyball team and a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. She was a teacher’s assistant and received the Mattie M. Key Mathematics Award and the Algebra Prize. After graduating in 3 years, Sievert will begin teaching high school mathematics in Calvert County, where she hopes to coach volleyball and softball as well.
