McDaniel College announces Commencement speakers for the 2025 undergraduate and graduate ceremonies. Military and business leader Linda L. Singh serves as the speaker for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 23, while Associate Professor of Counseling Simeon K. Schlossberg will provide remarks during the Graduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17. Both ceremonies take place in Gill Center. More information is available at mcdaniel.edu/Commencement.
D’Jaris Coles-White, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is the inaugural program director for the developing Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. The program has received approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and is expected to launch in spring 2027, pending approval by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
McDaniel celebrated 20 new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) who participated in the college's first cohort of a three-semester graduate course sequence, developed as part of a $1.8 million Teacher Collaborative Grant from the Maryland State Department of Education. All of those enrolled currently teach in Carroll County Public Schools and achieved an impressive 83% achievement rate, above the 71% current pass rate for National Board Certification.
While McDaniel College offers a robust slate of graduate programs, students can also enroll at partner institutions to propel their undergraduate career into the graduate realm. Two recent graduates — Jani Pierre ’23 and Brennan Rouse ’23 — took the opportunity to pursue accelerated master’s degrees using the foundations they developed at McDaniel.
Cathy Felmlee Shanholtz, OTD, M.Ed., OTR/L, CLA, joins McDaniel as the inaugural program director for the developing Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. The program, which has received approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), is expected to begin in summer 2026, pending approval by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
McDaniel College's Education programs have been awarded five-year initial accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Diane D. Walsh, assistant professor of Counseling, was recently recognized by the Maryland Counseling Association with a Presidential Certificate of Appreciation. Here, Walsh shares about her creative approaches to counselor education, her research interests, and her dedication to the counseling community.
Brian Thompson M.S. ’15, who graduated from McDaniel with a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and an Administrator I Certificate, is the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year for Carroll County Public Schools, making him eligible to be chosen as the 2025 Maryland Teacher of the Year.
Among family and friends, 407 bachelor’s candidates crossed the stage to receive their degrees on Saturday, May 18, during McDaniel College’s 154th Commencement ceremony. Higher education leader Freeman A. Hrabowski III addressed the graduating class encouraging them to never stop learning and to be confident in who they are, and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service was awarded to local business leader and philanthropist Greg W. Kahlert.
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.
