CSM Invites Community to Celebrate President Yolanda Wilson’s Inauguration

Since being named president of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) last year, Dr. Yolanda Wilson has been tirelessly working to set CSM and the entire region on a path of “Going Far, Going Together.” Next week, CSM will celebrate its new president with a series of presidential inauguration events designed to bring together CSM and the broader community to celebrate “community, collaboration, and culture.”

The formal installation of a college or university president is an observance steeped in academic tradition, including the processional and recessional of robed members of the faculty and special guests led by the college marshal, and accompanied by a presidential address. With the installation of Wilson as the investiture centerpiece, CSM will spend the week leading up to the ceremony hosting special events that highlight the tenets of Wilson’s commitment to students, partnerships, inclusion, civic engagement, and service leadership.  

Highlights of the week include demonstrations by faculty and students, tours of CSM’s state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities for impactful conversations about community and service. CSM invites the community to join from March 22-28 at the following events.

Donor/Partnership Recognition Reception. March 22. Invitation only.

Self-Guided Campus Tours. March 25, All day. The public is welcome to visit CSM’s La Plata Campus, Leonardtown Campus, and Prince Frederick Campus. Explore CSM’s facilities and discover the vibrant learning environments at your own pace. Smart phones are required to read QR codes.

CSM Robotics Team Live Demonstration. March 25, 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., La Plata Campus, Francis P. Chiaramonte, M.D. Center for Science and Technology (ST Building), Room 157. Free. Registration encouraged. https://www.csmd.edu/inauguration/rsvp.html

Cybersecurity Lab Tours. March 25, 10-11 a.m., Prince Frederick Campus, John E. Harms Academic Center (Building A), Room 222; and 11 a.m. -12 p.m., Leonardtown Campus Building B, Barbara Ives, CAPT, USNR Cyber Lab (Room 307/308). Learn. Play. The Technology Department will provide a tour of new cybersecurity labs and give hands-on demonstrations. Come see how CSM prepares the future leaders of cybersecurity. Free. Registration encouraged. https://www.csmd.edu/inauguration/rsvp.html

Ritmo Caché Latin Ensemble Concert. March 25, 7:30 p.m. La Plata Campus, Hank Willoughby Foundation Center for the Arts (FA Building), Brad and Linda Gottfried Theater. '¡Primavera!' ~  CSM’s Latin Ensemble will perform a variety of Latin numbers to celebrate the advent of spring and the investiture of Wilson. https://www.csmd.edu/calendar/2024/03/latin-ensemble-concert-mar25.html. Free.

Belonging Matters: Civility to Contribution. March 26, sessions offered at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. La Plata Campus, Center for Business and Industry (BI Building), Chaney Enterprises Conference Room (Room 113/113E). Join us for an engaging event focused on the importance of belonging. Dive into interactive activities and a student discussion panel centered on real-life experiences, fostering meaningful conversations. Light refreshments will be provided. Free and open to all. RSVP preferred; Walk-ins welcome. https://www.csmd.edu/inauguration/rsvp.html

Tour of the Center for Health Sciences. March 26, 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Regional Hughesville Campus. Explore the college’s Center for Health Sciences at the Regional Hughesville Campus with a guided tour. Learn about this state-of-the-art, LEED Silver-certified facility, and the programs offered there.  Discover the specialized laboratory spaces, clinical simulation center, and Student Success Suite. You’ll see firsthand how the incredible support of donors, elected officials, and community partners empowers CSM students to raise the bar on extraordinary patient care. Free and open to all. RSVP preferred. https://www.csmd.edu/inauguration/rsvp.html

Servant Leadership Panel Discussion. March 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Prince Frederick Campus, Building B, Multipurpose Rooms (Rooms 103/104/105). Join us for a Day of Service celebrating servant leadership in Southern Maryland, sponsored by the Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Center for Leadership, the Nonprofit Institute at CSM, and the CSM Foundation. Kick off the day at the Prince Frederick Campus with breakfast and a panel discussion featuring community leaders: Tiffany Barber ’00, Executive Director, Poiema Movement; Christie Burnett, Executive Director, Charles County Charitable Trust; Natalie Cotton ’10, CSM Foundation Board of Directors and Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations, SMECO; Bernie Fowler, Jr., Executive Director, President, Farming 4 Hunger; Dr. David Hupp ’07, Quality Improvement Team Leader, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and volunteer firefighter and EMT with Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department; Jim Malloy, President and CEO, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington. Free. Registration required. https://www.csmd.edu/calendar/2024/03/servant-leadership-panel-discussion.html

Day of Service. March 27, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; 1 – 4 p.m.; or 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Join CSM faculty, staff, and students for a rewarding Day of Service, where we will make a meaningful impact by contributing our time and skills to support our community, fostering positive change and connection. RSVP is required to sign up for a specific service opportunity. 

Hawk’s Hangout Tailgate. March 27, 12 – 4 p.m. La Plata Campus, Physical Education Center (PE Building). Baseball games at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Softball games at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Come hang out with the Hawks for an exciting tailgating party filled with food, beverages (non-alcoholic), fun, and the infectious energy of fans celebrating the CSM Hawks as they take on the Shenandoah University Hornets and the Frederick Community College Cougars! Parking lot. Free.

Investiture Ceremony and Brunch. March 28, Ceremony begins promptly at 10 a.m. La Plata Campus, Physical Education Center (PE Building). The College of Southern Maryland will install its sixth president, Dr. Yolanda Wilson, in a ceremony with full academic regalia and remarks by dignitaries including the CSM Board of Trustees, elected officials, student government, and others. The ceremony will include a presidential address with a reception to follow. Free. Registration required by March 19 COB.

(For more information or to register for any of the above events, visit www.csmd.edu/inauguration/)

Inauguration Ceremony (Delayed Opening). March 28, until 2 p.m. In support of CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson’s Investiture Ceremony, CSM will close all campuses and have a delayed operational opening at 2 p.m. March 28 in order for faculty, staff, and students to attend inauguration festivities. That means that until 2 p.m., March 28, all CSM campuses and buildings will be closed; online classes will continue as scheduled; there will be virtual instruction options available; college services will have limited availability and online self-services will be available via my.csmd.edu.

If you are unable to join in person but would like to celebrate Dr. Wilson's inauguration, please consider donating to the "Help A Hawk" Fund, which provides financial assistance to students who are experiencing financial hardship due to sudden, unexpected, or unforeseen circumstances that impacts their ability to continue their academic education. Donations can be made at https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/adaptive-donor-form/?formId=468ff4b8-ccf2-4acd-9f1b-de60814944a3&envid=p-tNLB4gxAsE6fd0LLeJqkTA&zone=usa.