McDaniel College graduates the Class of 2025
Among family and friends, 380 bachelor’s candidates crossed the stage to receive their degrees on Friday, May 23, during McDaniel College’s 155th Commencement ceremony. Military and business leader Linda L. Singh addressed the graduating class, talking to them about power, resilience, self-care, and leaning into the uncertainty of the world. An Honorary Doctor of Public Service was also awarded to former U.S. Representative C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger.
Cheered on by family and friends, 380 bachelor’s candidates crossed the stage in the Robert Joshua Gill Center to receive their degrees on May 23. President Julia Jasken welcomed the Class of 2025 and their guests.
"Class of 2025, your journey to this moment is nothing short of extraordinary. You completed high school in the midst of a global pandemic, entered college during a time of profound uncertainty, and navigated a world that was still finding its way," Jasken said. "And yet, here you are: resilient, determined, and ready. You carry with you not only the lessons of the past, but the tools that shape the future."
From six countries and 16 states and the District of Columbia, the graduates completed studies in 35 programs, the most popular of which were Biology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Kinesiology, and Psychology. One student is graduating with three majors. Eighteen members of the Class of 2025 are legacy graduates, meaning that a parent, stepparent, or a grandparent also graduated from the Hill, and graduates ranged in age from 19 years old to 45 years old.
This class is full of global citizens, with more than 40 students having studied abroad for a semester or a Jan Term; two of those students studied abroad multiple times. The most popular destination was a Jan Term trip to Greece, followed by the college’s campus in Budapest, Hungary. Six students also received the designation of Global Fellows on their diplomas, indicating their completion of the program designed to enhance students’ understanding of global issues, develop heightened intercultural competency, and cultivate the skills and attitudes important to leading successful lives in a global context. The fourth class of National Security Fellows also crossed the stage, with three students having completed the program that provides them with robust knowledge, skills, and experience in national security.
"You are digital natives and innovators, advocates and allies, and above all, a generation determined to make meaning," Jasken continued. "Today, we honor not just your accomplishments, but also your spirit."
President Jasken then welcomed Linda L. Singh, the first African American and first woman adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, to address the graduates. She is also the founder of Kaleidoscope Affect LLC, a firm providing leadership development, management consulting, and strategic advisory services.
“Graduation is not the end of learning. It's the beginning of a different kind of education,” Singh told the graduates. “The world moves fast — sometimes way too fast. But what will set you apart is your willingness to be curious. To ask questions. To seek out knowledge not just for personal gain — but for the greater good.”
Linda L. Singh was the graduation speaker for the Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony.
She reinforced that each graduate’s voice, perspective, and story matters and encouraged them to share those unique aspects of themselves with the world.
“In a world filled with noise, use your voice not just to be heard, but to create change. To advocate. To uplift. To change and challenge what needs to be changed,” Singh said. “Because when you combine learning with purpose, and your voice with intention … you become unstoppable.”
In a world filled with noise, use your voice not just to be heard, but to create change. To advocate. To uplift. To change and challenge what needs to be changed. - Linda Singh
Singh went on to share the image that has guided her through the most difficult moments of her life: lava. Telling the graduates how lava curves, bends, and keeps moving with purpose, she encouraged the graduates to approach the question of “what’s next” as if they are lava themselves.
“Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep flowing. Show up for yourself. Show up for your community. Show up when it's hard. Show up when no one notices,” Singh said. “Because the world needs your glow — and it needs the one-of-a-kind brilliance only you can bring.”
During the ceremony, the Edith Farr Ridington Writing Award was presented to Mackenzie R. McCarter, a Biology major from Hagerstown, Maryland. The Argonaut Award for the highest cumulative grade point average in the class was given to five graduates: Rebekah Faith Garrett, a Sociology major from Pasadena, Maryland; Jolie A. Gray, a Business Administration major from Crownsville, Maryland; Jacqueline E. Kuzma, a Mathematics major from Stafford, Virginia; Elana Kara Petrone, an English major from Colonial Heights, Virginia; and Olivia Kathleen Shores, a Political Science major from Frederick, Maryland. Read the full write-ups about each of these graduates below.
In addition to celebrating the Class of 2025, two faculty members were recognized for their election to emeritus status. Debra Lemke, professor of Sociology, retired after 31 years teaching at the college and Catherine Orzolek-Kronner ’86, professor of Social Work, retired after 26 years.
One faculty award was also presented at the ceremony. Professor of Kinesiology Jennifer McKenzie ’01, Ph.D., was awarded the 2025 Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award. Read the full write-up below.
After being officially welcomed into the Alumni Association by Retired Col. James Martin Jr. ’93 and singing the Alma Mater for the first time as alumni, the new graduates were invited to ring Old Main bell, just as they did as new students on the Hill during Orientation.
Alumni Council President Retired Col. James Martin Jr. ’93 welcomes the graduates to the Alumni Association.
A student from the Class of 2025 "rings out" following the Commencement Ceremony.
The Edith Farr Ridington Writing Award
Established by the college’s Phi Beta Kappa Chapter in 1990 to honor Edith Farr Ridington, long-time member of the faculty and charter member and historian of the Delta of Maryland Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. The award goes to a graduating senior whose capstone paper is deemed outstanding. In the tradition of the liberal arts, the paper must make a contribution to knowledge and understanding of past, present, or future human concerns. The topic of the paper may be in any field and may employ any methodology appropriate to academic discourse.
President Jasken poses with the winner of the Edith Farr Ridington Writing Award, Mackenzie R. McCarter.
The Edith Farr Ridington Writing Award for the best senior paper was awarded to Mackenzie R. McCarter of Hagerstown, Maryland.
McCarter, a College Scholar, graduates summa cum laude with departmental honors in Biology. Her research paper, “Effect of malathion on development of Cassiopea xamachana,” won the top writing award.
The paper resulted from research McCarter conducted with mentorship from Assistant Professor of Biology Allison Kerwin during the Student-Faculty Collaborative Summer Research Program. Their lab work involved analyzing how insecticides used to target mosquitos in the Florida Keys affect the development of the upside-down jellyfish, Cassiopea xamachana.
McCarter’s paper focuses on how the insecticide Malathion affects juvenile upside-down jellyfish polyps. According to Biology Department Chair Holly Martinson, “Notably, the discussion of the paper identified several different mechanisms that could have contributed to the results and suggested creative next steps to resolve those possibilities. This paper was of professional quality and clearly articulated the context, results, and future directions for the project.”
“This research has shown that insecticides that make their way into waterways have an impact on jellyfish metamorphosis, suggesting that insecticide exposure also affects other cnidarians such as tropical corals,” McCarter writes. The paper’s conclusion suggests that the study findings could be used for coral conservation efforts by encouraging the use of ecologically friendly pesticides.
“Having an opportunity to dive into research experiences has been incredible — whether through literature review papers or performing hands-on research, I’ve learned that there is so much potential in research,” she shares in her Class of 2025 Senior Profile.
During her time on the Hill, McCarter was a laboratory assistant for four years in the Biology Department and a laboratory teaching assistant for General Chemistry I and II, Molecular Biology, and Principles of Biology.
In addition to the Honors Program, McCarter is a member of Beta Beta Beta, Gamma Sigma Epsilon (Chemistry Honors Society), Phi Alpha Theta (History Honors Society), Omicron Delta Kappa, and Trumpeters.
The Argonaut Award
Established in 1971 and awarded to the graduating senior(s) with the highest grade point average in the class. It was originally given by the Argonaut Society, founded in 1935 to honor the college’s most accomplished students. Although the society last inducted members in 1979, the year that the college obtained its Phi Beta Kappa Chapter, its memory has been retained by the continued inclusion of the Argonaut Award in the Commencement Ceremony.
Recipients of The Argonaut Award pose on stage with Bruce H. Preston '75, chair of the Board of Trustees, and President Julia Jasken.
This year, five graduating seniors were recipients of The Argonaut Award:
- Rebekah Faith Garrett of Pasadena, Maryland, graduates summa cum laude with departmental honors in Sociology and minors in Gender Studies and Psychology. Garrett is a College Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa. Garrett was also awarded The Bates Prize as the graduating class member who has made the best record during their undergraduate course, The Maria Leonard Senior Book Award, The Vox Magna Clara (A Strong Clear Voice) Award, and The Phi Delta Gamma Award for graduate study at the May 22 Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation. Garrett will be attending the University of Baltimore School of Law beginning in fall 2025.
- Jolie A. Gray of Crownsville, Maryland, graduates summa cum laude with departmental honors in Business Administration and a minor in Sociology. A member of the Green Terror Battalion, Gray received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during McDaniel’s May 22 Commissioning Ceremony and was recognized with the Lieutenant General (R) Otto Guenther Leadership Award, which annually goes to the commissioning cadet who best exemplifies the character, morals, leadership, and lifelong dedication, both to the U.S. Army and to their alma mater. She also received The Maria Leonard Senior Book Award at the May 22 Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation. She will serve in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Military Intelligence Officer, assigned to the 741st Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland.
- Jacqueline E. Kuzma of Stafford, Virginia, graduates summa cum laude with a Mathematics major and a Secondary Education minor. Kuzma is a College Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa. During the May 22 Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation, Kuzma received The Maria Leonard Senior Book Award and The Dr. Clyde A. Spicer Award for the outstanding graduating senior in mathematics
- Elana Kara Petrone of Colonial Heights, Virginia, graduates summa cum laude with departmental honors in English. A College Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa, Petrone was a member of the Green Terror Battalion and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during McDaniel’s May 22 Commissioning Ceremony. Petrone also received The Makosky Award for Excellence in English at the May 22 Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation. Petrone, a three-year Advanced Designee Scholarship cadet, will serve in an active-duty position as an Adjutant General Office after completing the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
- Olivia Kathleen Shores of Frederick, Maryland, graduates summa cum laude with departmental honors in Political Science and minors in Criminal Justice and English. Shores was a College Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa. During the May 22 Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation, Shores received The Maria Leonard Senior Book Award and The Robert Joseph Weber Award for Excellence in Political Science and International Studies.
The Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award
The Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes inspired classroom work and dedication to students. Established in 1995 through the generosity of Charles E. Moore Jr. ’71 and Carol Hoerichs Moore ’70, the award memorializes the beloved faculty member Ira G. Zepp ’52, Hon. L.H.D. ’15, who taught in the Department of Religious Studies until his retirement in 1994.
Jennifer McKenzie '01, recipient of the Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award, poses with President Jasken.
The 2025 Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award was presented to Professor of Kinesiology Jennifer McKenzie ’01, a certified strength and conditioning specialist who is an encouraging advocate for Kinesiology students. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Exercise Science (now Kinesiology) from McDaniel College in 2001. She completed a Master of Arts in Kinesiology in 2003 and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology in 2008, both from the University of Maryland, College Park.
McKenzie is a dedicated and accomplished educator, scholar, and leader in the field of Kinesiology with a long-standing commitment to McDaniel. Her career spans nearly two decades of service at her alma mater in both faculty and administrative roles, including serving on numerous faculty committees as well as department chair and co-director of the Human Performance Labs. Currently, McKenzie teaches Fitness Walking, Introduction to Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology Lab, and Writing in Kinesiology.
She has played a key role in academic advising, student recruitment, curriculum development, and faculty mentoring. McKenzie has secured multiple internal research and teaching grants, often collaborating with students and colleagues, and actively participates in professional development through national conferences and institutional trainings.
As a campus leader, she has served on numerous search committees and college-wide initiatives, including Phi Beta Kappa and diversity-focused programming. McKenzie has played a significant role in supporting internships and independent studies at McDaniel. From spring 2009 to 2011, she mentored Exercise Science capstone projects, and as co-director of the Human Performance Labs since 2009 and chair of the Kinesiology Department from 2016 to 2021, she has played a key role in the course structures that support hands-on learning experiences.
McKenzie’s involvement in donor-funded Student-Faculty Collaborative Summer Research projects for more than a decade further reflects her dedication to mentoring students in independent academic work.
Recognized for her engaged teaching and service, she has also been a recipient of the Charles A. Boehlke Jr. Engaged Faculty Fellows Award and was named Green Terror of the Month in 2018.
