News

McDaniel College announces Commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients for both the 2020 and 2021 ceremonies to be held on Saturday, May 22. The 2020 Commencement Speaker is McDaniel College President Roger N. Casey, the college’s ninth president who is retiring at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. The 2021 Commencement Speakers are Mary Lynn Durham and Bill Roj, both 1970 alumni, who supported the renovation of the college’s new Roj Student Center. The college also shares additional details about Commencement and Commencement-related events.

Dr. Julia Jasken has been selected by the McDaniel College Board of Trustees as the college’s tenth president, effective June 1, 2021. Jasken will be only the second woman president in the college’s history. She has dedicated nearly her entire professional life to higher education and most notably to McDaniel, beginning in the classroom in 2003 as an English professor and most recently has served as the college’s executive vice president and provost.

The Daily Record has selected McDaniel College President Roger N. Casey as a 2020 Icon Honors recipient. Icon Honors awards recognize leaders across Maryland in business, law, politics, and nonprofits for their long-standing commitment to Maryland and significant professional accomplishments through innovation and leadership.

McDaniel College President Roger N. Casey has announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2020–2021 academic year in June 2021. One of the longest-serving college presidents in the State of Maryland, President Casey took office as McDaniel College’s ninth president in July 2010 and oversees McDaniel’s campus in Westminster, Md., as well as the college’s European campus in Budapest, Hungary.

In response to the new federal rule affecting international students, President Casey shared how McDaniel is working with our international students who could be impacted by this decision. "Unlike other institutions, we are fortunate that our current plan for the fall includes a combination of course modality for our undergraduate students," he said. "McDaniel also stands in support of statements issued by our national higher education associations."

McDaniel College is expanding its efforts on behalf of diversity, equity and inclusion. A new McDaniel Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Board will inform a more comprehensive campus-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan and immediately make recommendations on key issues, including the appropriate staffing model to support our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, analysis of data, examination of policies, and support of the Black Lives Matter movement. McDaniel will also develop a clear reporting structure for community members to elevate concerns about discrimination or acts of racial injustice, increase training among student groups, expand our White Accountability Group, establish a Leadership Council for student organizations serving minority or underrepresented students, and review our curriculum to consider expansion of multi-cultural and racial justice course offerings. Additionally, McDaniel will officially be closed and declare a paid employee holiday this Friday, June 19, to celebrate Juneteenth, the traditional day to recognize the end of slavery.

In response to requests from students and alumni, we’d like to share more about efforts taken over the past two years by our campus. Although the College has taken steps to address matters of equity, inclusion, and diversity, we recognize that our work is ongoing. Share your questions and recommendations with us via email at diversity@mcdaniel.edu.

“The fundamental principles of a liberal education and the fundamental First Principles guiding the McDaniel community run absolutely counter to those of racial injustice and discrimination. Our values demand that we call out such injustices, whether they occur in our backyard or in Minnesota, Georgia, or New York. At McDaniel, we cannot and will not tolerate prejudice, bias, or discrimination.”

Cheers, congratulations and the ceremonial ringing of bells poured in from two dozen states and eight countries in virtual celebration of the accomplishments and bright futures of the McDaniel College Class of 2020. Families and friends of the 555 graduates joined in the day-long festivities that included virtual awards ceremonies, a slide show featuring every graduate and departmental receptions — all culminating in the traditional bell ringing and welcome as the newest alumni.

McDaniel will be hosting a Celebration Day for the Class of 2020 on May 23, when we will salute your achievements on what would have been your Commencement day. Virtual events will take place throughout the day, including a Class of 2020 slideshow on the McDaniel College website, virtual senior awards ceremonies, virtual receptions hosted by Academic Departments and Graduate Programs, and a virtual bell ringing ceremony to allow each of you as members of the Class of 2020 to ring-out together to conclude the day.