St. Mary’s College of Maryland graduated 429 students with the degree of Bachelor of Arts on Saturday, May 14. The Commencement address was delivered by Kojo Nnamdi, host of WAMU’s “The Kojo Nnamdi Show” and “The Politics Hour.”
In her charge to the Class of 2016, St. Mary’s College President Tuajuanda C. Jordan said, “As you move beyond the banks of this river into the world, my expectation is that you will take your passions, your skills, and the knowledge you have gained in this place to create a more just and humane society for all.”
Nnamdi encouraged the graduates by saying, “As a generation, the Class of 2016 has the tools to solve the world’s problems like no generation before you ever has. … Let the record show you have been declared ‘mission ready.’ Now go out and save the world.”
During the ceremony, honorary doctoral degrees were bestowed on Nnamdi as well John Bohanan, former Maryland delegate, and Gary Kessler, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for Aircraft Programs.
The valedictorian of the graduating class was Matthew Flyr, of Sykesville, Md. A Nitze Scholar and a cross country runner, Flyr was chair of the student conduct board, member of the Ethics Bowl team, and member of Omicron Delta Epsilon and Omicron Delta Kappa. After graduation, Flyr will begin a master’s program in agricultural and resource economics at Colorado State University.
The ceremony program concluded with the school song, “St. Mary’s College of Maryland,” composed by Professor of Music David Froom with lyrics written by Professor of English Jennifer Cognard-Black. The song was led by graduates Carman Condelli, Caroline Davey, Alexandra Kennedy, Jordan McRae, Nadine Postolache, Leslie Roeser, Jaclyn Royer, and Laura Zabriskie.