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The Alumni Council

There is no more impactful way to give back to McDaniel College than to participate on the Alumni Council, the leadership body of McDaniel's Alumni Association. The Alumni Association's Officers comprise the Alumni Council, which provides opportunities for enthusiastic alumni to become more engaged with the College and serve its needs. Alumni Council membership is a privilege, and prospective members must be nominated to be considered.

McDaniel Campus 1942
James Martin Alumni Council President

Your Alumni Council President: James Martin '93

James has been an active volunteer since he joined the President's DEI Advisory Board for the college in 2021.  Before assuming the role as President-elect in June 2022 through the end of May 2023, James sat on the Alumni Council's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee from 2021.  This year he has served as a Fundraising Ambassador on One Hill One Day and volunteered with students for Career Networking through the Center for Experience and Opportunity. James will serve as President through May 31, 2025.

Awards Committee

Committee Description

Each year, the Alumni Association honors individuals who personify the College's tradition of excellence. These honors are determined by the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee meets twice a year to review applicants for the Alumni Association Awards. The Awards Committee is responsible for encouraging alumni nominations for Alumni Association awards, reviewing nominations, and selecting alumni to receive Alumni Association awards. Learn more about our Alumni Association award winners!

Committee Members

Chair: Steve Ports '83 Board Term: June 1, 2021 - May 31, 2024 Alumni College Service Award - 2008, Alumnus of the Year - 2017

Committee Members:

  • Paul Lebo '01 (Alumni Professional Achievement Award - 2005)
  • Frank Kratovil '90 (Alumni Community Service Award - 2001)
  • Kimberly Bloch-Rincan '99

GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Committee

Committee Description

The GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Committee exists to support alumni who have graduated within the last 10 years and encourage them to participate in the activities and operations of the College. They also represent our Graduates of the Last Decade at all Alumni Council meetings to ensure the voice of our newest alumni is not lost during important decision-making. 

Committee Members

Chair: Erin Giles Benevento '15 Board Term: July 1, 2018 - May 31, 2022 Young Alumni College Service Award - 2017

Committee Members:

  • Justin Arter '20
  • Will Giles '18
  • Emily Gross '16

Green Terror Athletics Hall of Fame Committee

Committee Description

The Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Committee is responsible for encouraging alumni nominations for Hall of Fame induction, reviewing nominations and selecting Inductees. The Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Committee is responsible for reviewing nominations to the Hall of Fame, electing members into the Hall of Fame and organizing and conducting Hall of Fame ceremonies. Learn more about our Sports Hall of Fame inductees.

Committee Members

Chair: Marilyn Naas Keane '94, M.S. '97 Board Term: May 1, 2020 - July 31, 2023 (Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 2008)

Committee Members:

  • Sandra Brant Alvey '87 (Alumni Professional Achievement Award - 2012) 
  • Sandy Lagana Bly (Athletic Representative)
  • Kevin Curley (Athletic Representative)
  • Jason Eichelberger (non-voting member)
  • Ryan Legge '00
  • Jill Krebs '02 ( Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 2012, Centennial Conference Silver Anniversary Team Inductee - 2018)
  • James Martin '93 (President of the Alumni Council)
  • Kristin Ramey '05, M.S. '08
  • Dave Seibert '78, M.S. '81 
  • Jeremy Shepherd (Assistant Director of Athletics - Director of Athletics designee)
  • Alexis Watson (Associate Director of Athletics)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Committee Description

The DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee exists to ensure all the College’s alumni are engaged, including marginalized groups and BIPOC alumni.  Establishing opportunities for our alumni to connect with current students, the DEI Committee collaborates with the Office of Alumni Engagement to ensure networking, mentorship, and events.

Committee Members

Chair: James Felton '95 Board Term: February 18, 2020 - May 31, 2023 

Committee Members:

  • Mary Grace Almandrez '02
  • Kimberly Bloch-Rincan '99
  • Jasmin Chavez-Cruz '19 (Young Alumni Award - 2023)
  • Corin Cole '22
  • Tonya Condell ’02
  • Veronica Esteves Dietz '00
  • Diane Drakes '98
  • Lucero Espinal '20
  • Erika Herron Hall '99
  • Mark Hughes ’95
  • Salini Jayamuni '09
  • Lolita Johnson '00
  • Alexaundria Leonard '17
  • Calvin Lineberger '97
  • James Martin '93
  • Walter Scott '16
  • Carl Taylor '01
  • Lynnell McLean Williams '00

Nomination & Governance Committee

Committee Description

The Nomination & Governance Committee exists to nominate alumni to serve as Members-at-Large of the Alumni Council. The Committee also reviews, discusses and recommends changes to the Constitution, Bylaws and standing rules of procedures for Council committees and the structure of the Alumni Council.

Committee Members

Chair: Tim McLister '13 

Board Term: July 1, 2022 - May 31, 2024 

Committee Members:

Alumni Outreach Committee

Committee Description

Our Alumni Network is a coalition of the leaders of affinity groups, heretofore known as “Chapters”. These Chapters are defined by a unifying purpose, or geographic region. The mission of the Alumni Network is to gather alumni with similar interests to promote and support McDaniel College. Chapters facilitate networking between alumni, current and prospective students, parents, faculty and staff, and the community at large. 

Committee Members

Chair: Kittie DeLuca Pain '00 Board Term: May 31, 2021 - May 31, 2024 

Committee Members:

  • Maureen Carroll Martin '86 (College Service Award - 2003) (vice-chair)
  • Jacob McCurry '09, M.S. '13
  • Kristy Costa Rothermel '06 (Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 2016, Centennial Conference Silver Anniversary Team Inductee - 2018)
  • Laura Russell '87, M.S. '99 (College Service Award - 2001)
  • Julie Sanders '97
  • Samantha Schlitzer '07
  • Mark Titus '92 (Community Service Award - 2004)
  • Tyler Wilson '95

Green and Gold Committee

Committee Description

The Green and Gold Committee is a coalition of alumni participants and supporters of athletic teams at Western Maryland/McDaniel College. The Committee will organize alumni athletes in support and promotion of McDaniel’s athletic programs, sponsor or promote events for athletes, such as networking or celebrating current or prior team successes and expand awareness of and support for McDaniel College and its programs. 

Committee Members

Chair: Kristin Ramey '05, M.S. '08 Board Term: February 18, 2021 - May 31, 2024 

Committee Members:

  • Justin Arter '20 (Tennis)
  • Suzy Banister '17 (Field Hockey)
  • Julie Backof Boden '98 (Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 2009, Centennial Conference Silver Anniversary Team Inductee - 2018) (Softball)
  • Matt Cahill '10, M.S. '12 (Football)
  • Jessica Rouse Custer '02, M.S. '07 (Volleyball)
  • Lindsey Farrell '19 (Lacrosse, Soccer) 
  • Brett Foelber '08 (Basketball) (vice-chair)
  • Kelsey Franklin Goretsas '12 (Basketball)
  • Jim Heilman '17 (Cross Country, Track)
  • Kevin Keane '20 (Golf)
  • Kelsey Kirkman '19 (Golf)
  • Zach Kronick ’16, M.S. '19 (Baseball)
  • Bob Laffey '03 (Baseball)
  • Tom Lapato '99 (Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 2020) (Football)
  • Elise O'Meara Merlo '14 (Tennis)
  • Tyler Naunton '17 (Soccer)
  • Kelly Novak '20 (Lacrosse)
  • Stephanie McPherson Powell '03 (Basketball, Track)
  • Teron Powell '02 (Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 2012) (Football, Basketball, Track)
  • Reaiah Rutherford '20 (Tennis)
  • KR Schultz '10 (Lacrosse)
  • Emma Duesterhaus Whitehill '14 (Swimming)

WMC Heritage Society

Committee Description

The WMC Heritage Society of the Alumni Council is responsible for engaging alumni in the life of the College, supporting Academic Programming through funding and mentorship, endowing funds to support the preservation of campus historic buildings and student scholarships and supporting College events, especially those that celebrate the history and traditions of the College. The WMC Heritage Society motto is "Honor the past and embrace the future."

Committee Members

Chair: Corynne Courpas '76 Board Term: June 1, 2023 - present (Alumni College Service Award - 2014)

Committee Members:

  • Dottie Beck '64
  • Debi Lanius Cameron '75 (College Service Award - 1990)
  • Miles Cole '67 ( Community Service Award - 2009)
  • Ralph Frith '84 (College Service Award - 2007)
  • Don Hobart '62 (College Service Award - 2013, Alumnus of the Year - 2016)
  • James Lightner '59 (College Service Award - 1984, Alumnus of the Year - 1998, Trustee Alumni Award - 2002)
  • Sherry Fischer Manning '65 (Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 1992, Professional Achievement Award - 2004)
  • C. Victor McTeer '69, Hon. LL.D. (Community Service Award - 2009, Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 1993)
  • Bev Schott Myers '60
  • Jon Myers '61
  • Alex Ober '63, MEd '69 (Alumnus of the Year - 2020, College Service Award - 2018, Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 2010)
  • Lee Primm '89 (Community Service Award - 2015)
  • Don Rembert '61  (College Service Award - 2016)
  • Judith Ellis Rembert '60
  • Carolyn Seaman Scott '67 (College Service Award - 1987, Alumna of the Year - 1997)
  • Debbie Dale Seidel '84
  • Sally Stanfield '78 (Green Terror Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - 1998)
  • Beth Heckert Tevis '77, M.Ed. '84 (Community Service Award - 2017)
  • Rhea Ireland Wiles '61
  • Tony Wiles '61
  • Pat Welk Wolf '60
  • Carroll "Splinter" Yingling '68
  • Pamela Zappardino '71 (College Service Award - 2006, Alumna of the Year - 2007)

Alumni Awards Celebration

Our annual celebrations of our most dedicated and impactful alumni.

Student on computer in hammock on campus.

Engaging Future Alumni Student Alumni Council Developing Alumni Ties

The Student Alumni Council (SAC) connects and engages current students with College alumni. SAC is a student committee of the Alumni Council comprised of students from all majors, backgrounds, and personalities who love McDaniel and enjoy being part of an organization that truly does a little bit of everything! SAC hosts programs that promote and foster student and alumni interactions, educate about philanthropy, share College traditions, encourage school pride, and establish a relationship with the Hill that will last a lifetime!