Maria Briscoe Croker 1891 (HS)

First Poet Laureate of Maryland

Maria Croker, nee Briscoe, was appointed the first Poet Laureate of Maryland in 1959. She graduated from St. Mary’s Female Seminary in 1891 and then Towson State Teachers College. She published three books of poetry and her poems have appeared in 50 anthologies.

Another Maryland Poet Laureate, Michael Glaser, is an emeritus faculty at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, while National Poet Laureate Lucille Clifton also taught at St. Mary’s.

Lettie Marshall (Dent) Gough 1911

Miss Lettie, photographed here on May Day circa 1911, wearing a plain band in her hair

First Female County-Level School Superintendent in Maryland

[picture caption: Miss Lettie, photographed here on May Day circa 1911, wearing a plain band in her hair]

“Miss Lettie” was the first female county-level Superintendent of Schools in Maryland, serving St. Mary’s County for 30 years from 1928-1957. During the entirety of her tenure, she was the only female superintendent in Maryland. Under her leadership and that of Dr. Robert E. King, Jr.,, the transition to integrated schools did not spark the sometimes violent unrest that plagued other Maryland counties.

Kay Gratton Aldridge ’34 (HS)

Kay Aldridge is seated on the ledge, far right, as a member of the 1934 St. Mary’s basketball squad.

First Celebrity

After graduating from St. Mary’s in 1934, Kay Aldridge began working as a model and appeared on covers of Life, Ladies’ Home Journal, Redbook, and Look, and was named one of the ten most photographed women in the world in 1937. She later played the starring role of Nyoka, the jungle woman, in the popular 1942 movie serial Perils of Nyoka.

Jean Tenney Gray ’34

Jean Tenney introduced archery at St. Mary’s.

First Alumna to Become National Archery Champion

Jean Tenney Gray was the first alumna to be the Women’s National Archery Champion, which she accomplished in both 1937 and 1938. She was Named Maryland’s Ideal Outdoor Girl in 1939 and was later inducted into the American Archery Hall of Fame.

Charles Birch ’35

First Male Graduate from the Junior College Division.

Charles Birch was the first male to graduate from the Junior College Division.

Elizabeth “Liz” Barber ’64

Liz Barber as a student at St. Mary’s Junior College.

First African-American Graduate of St. Mary’s Junior College

Liz Barber was the first African-American graduate of St. Mary’s Junior College. She had the strong support of the Southern Maryland black community though her enrollment introduced a cultural revolution to the College, challenging the entire campus to rethink its approach concerning diversity issues.

Regina Combs Hammett ’64 ’72

A young Regina Combs Hammett (middle) on an outing with her friends, from MSS 015 Regina Hammett papers

First Author of a St. Mary’s County History Book

Regina Hammett, who holds two degrees from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006. She is the author of History of St. Mary’s County, Maryland 1634-1990. About the book, former SMCM President Maggie O’Brien said, “nothing can now be written on any aspect of St. Mary’s County without first checking into Regina Hammett’s book.”

Donny Bryan ’73

Donny Bryan was a basketball player and later a coach; he is now a member of the College’s Board of Trustees.

First African-American Graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Donny Bryan was the first African-American graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland as a four year institution and a stand-out basketball player for the College team, where he was a four-year starter with a career total of 1079 points in 69 games. He went on to become head coach for St. Mary’s while working in Admissions and in the Dean of Students Offices.

Bruce Merritt ’84 and Scott Steele ’81

Bruce Merritt participated in the 1984 and the 1988 Olympics for one-man canoeing. Scott Steele competed in the 1984 Olympics, earning a silver medal in windsurfing.

First Alumni to Be Olympic Athletes

Bruce Merritt won two gold medals and one silver medal in C-1 (one-man) canoeing at the 1978 national championships. Scott Steele qualified for national competition in windsurfing in 1979 along with Monty Spindler ’79. Their interest sparked a windsurfing craze on campus.