Marcie Delahoz-Mason ’96 and Pete Mason ’98

Why did your child choose McDaniel?

We visited all kinds of campuses and schools, different sizes and locations. At the end, Luke felt extremely comfortable and at home on McDaniel’s campus.

As alumni, how does it feel to have your child attend your alma mater?

I was happy that he picked our school; I loved my time at McDaniel and the college community, and I knew he would be well supported. 

When and why did you decide to join the Parent and Family Council?

We were asked to join during Luke’s first semester the first year. We were happy to support Luke’s time at McDaniel. Marcie had been volunteering for a couple of years to review resumes and provided feedback to students and was also involved on campus in a variety of organizations and activities as an undergraduate. We thought this would be a fantastic opportunity to give back to McDaniel. 

How has the Parent and Family Council helped you be more engaged in your child’s college experience?

As part of the council, we have been able to engage with the administration, provide feedback on student and family experiences, and get insight into the programs and strategic plans of the college. 

What have been your favorite events to attend and/or volunteer at?

We have enjoyed supporting and attending the sports activities on campus like tailgates. We had a fun time during Parent and Family Weekend in 2023, particularly at the tailgate events and hanging out during the football game with other families and our son’s friends. 

Marcie also enjoyed volunteering at admissions events, sharing our experiences as a family and as alumni, answering questions from students and families, and sharing what the McDaniel community is like. 

What do you appreciate about the McDaniel experience from a parent perspective?

We knew Luke was very well supported in the McDaniel community, and if he ran into any issues or barriers, there was always a person or department that would help him. 

What do you like to do in Westminster or on campus when you visit? Are there any places from your time as a student that you have enjoyed “passing down” to your student?

Pete enjoyed playing golf during our visits. We also enjoyed visiting places that were there when we were students, like Maggie’s and Baugher’s. There are a few great places that have opened since we graduated, like RockSalt Grille, O’Lordans, and Island Green that we have enjoyed visiting as a family over the last four years. 

It was also fun to show Luke places that held good memories for us, such as Blanche Ward Hall, the gazebo, and the Preachers dragon cave on campus. 

What is your proudest parent moment during your child’s time at McDaniel?

We all have a great memory of Luke scoring his first collegiate soccer goal against Dickinson and then having an assist, both in the last two mins of the game. It was the first time McDaniel men’s soccer had won against Dickinson since 2006. 

Luke joined the same fraternity as Pete — Phi Delta Theta — and Pete got to be part of his initiation ceremony. 

What is your top advice to parents with soon-to-be college students?

McDaniel is an amazing community — your child will be in great hands and be well supported. 

Encourage your kids to advocate for themselves and seek answers and help on their own; do not jump in with a call or email. Let them go and ask and find the answers and help. 

Make sure they seek out their professors — go to office hours, email them, and ask for help. McDaniel is unique with the access that students have to the faculty. Professors want to help students be successful — they will answer questions, provide resources, connect them to internships and jobs, and all students have to do is ask. Most of them live close by and go to sporting events or other activities around campus to support their students. We loved seeing Dr. Mohamed Esa at Luke’s soccer games.