With new environmental and sustainability initiatives taking root here at McDaniel — such as the annual Earth Day Fair, projects at the McDaniel Environmental Center, a redeveloped campus garden, and a newly renovated greenhouse — the time is finally right for a seed library to come to campus. Thanks to years-long effort and collaboration between Elly Engle, her students, and members of both the McDaniel and the Westminster communities, McDaniel’s Little Free Seed Library has officially launched.
Among family and friends, 388 bachelor’s candidates crossed the stage to receive their degrees on Saturday, May 23, during McDaniel College’s 156th Commencement ceremony. Robert Pick ’92, P’25, current McDaniel College Trustee and executive vice president and chief information officer for Tokio Marine North America, addressed the graduating class, talking to them about the twists and turns of professional life, the value of a liberal arts education, and the adaptability required to take advantage of opportunity. An Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree was also awarded to Dr. Péter Sótonyi, rector of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest, Hungary.
All 720 of them. A diverse group, they have 34 different undergraduate majors and are from 17 graduate programs. They traveled from 29 countries and 30 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Want to know more? Top majors? How many are College Scholars? What was the most popular study abroad destination? Read on!
McDaniel College celebrates its 156th Commencement for the Class of 2026 on Saturday, May 23. The graduate ceremony begins at 10 a.m., followed by the undergraduate ceremony at 2 p.m. Both ceremonies take place in the college’s Gill Center. A livestream is available online at mcdaniel.edu/commencement.
McDaniel’s Class of 2026 is compassionate, bold, and ambitious. Through their time on the Hill, they’ve grown into confident leaders who craft their own opportunities while simultaneously guiding their peers.
Two seniors majoring in Biology, Kaitlyn Braun and Anna Kale, presented at the 2026 Benthic Ecology Meeting in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Anna Kale, who is also majoring in Environmental Studies, was awarded "Best Student Poster Presentation," among other undergraduate and master's students, as well as Ph.D. candidates.
McDaniel’s delegation of nine students represented Ireland in the National Model United Nations (NMUN) 2026 conference held April 6-10 in New York City. Two of the McDaniel students also received the "Outstanding Position Paper" award.
McDaniel College announces new majors in Astrophysics, Astronomy, and Engineering Mechanics to begin fall 2027. Incoming fall 2026 students will have the opportunity to be able to declare one of these new programs as their major in their sophomore year.
News, experts, trends, research, interesting classes and fascinating people. It’s all here at McDaniel College – let us help you find what you’re looking for.
For media requests, contact the Office of Communications and Marketing:
Cheryl Knauer
Director of Public Relations cknauer@mcdaniel.edu Office: 410-857-2294 Cell: 443-487-1645
External Filming/Photography Policy
McDaniel College will consider requests from individuals and organizations who want to film or photograph any of the college’s properties and main campus.
Please complete the McDaniel College Filming/Photography request.
