McDaniel celebrates 152nd Commencement on Saturday, May 21

McDaniel College celebrates its 152nd Commencement for the Class of 2022 on Saturday, May 21. 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 with masks required for all attendees as a health and safety precaution. A live stream of both ceremonies will also be available online at www.mcdaniel.edu/commencement.

McDaniel College celebrates its 152nd Commencement for the Class of 2022 on Saturday, May 21. Nearly 600 graduate and undergraduate degrees are expected to be awarded during two ceremonies.

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 with masks required for all attendees as a health and safety precaution. A live stream of both ceremonies will also be available online at www.mcdaniel.edu/commencement.

Dan Rodricks, longtime columnist with The Baltimore Sun and award-winning journalist, provides remarks and will receive an honorary Doctor of Journalism degree during the graduate ceremony.

Also during the graduate commencement ceremony, The B. Jill Brooks Hodge Professional Development Award is given to a graduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence with a strong compassion for individuals with special needs and an interest in serving the deaf or disabled.

Undergraduate commencement speaker is Michelle Poler, author and social entrepreneur. Poler is the founder of Hello Fears, a social movement empowering millions to step outside of their comfort zone and tap into their full potential. She is also the creator of the project 100 Days Without Fear. A sought-after speaker, she has been featured on NBC’s The Today Show, Forbes, CBS, CNN, among others.

In addition, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree will be awarded during the undergraduate ceremony to Jeff Rosenberg, former director of NPR Worldwide.

Winners of two undergraduate awards are revealed during the undergraduate commencement ceremony. The Argonaut Award to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade-point average and The Edith Farr Ridington Writing Award to the graduating senior who writes the best paper are presented.

Three faculty awards are also given during the undergraduate commencement ceremony. The Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes inspired classroom work and dedication to students and the Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant to further excellence in teaching. The Shelton Adjunct Faculty Award is given to an adjunct faculty member whose teaching demonstrates a commitment to excellence and genuine care for students.

Commencement Ceremony Instructions

Graduate Commencement Ceremony:
Click here for additional Graduate Ceremony instructions.
• Students assemble at McDaniel’s Baker Memorial Chapel at 9 a.m. (Note: rain location is Old Gill Gym)
• Procession begins at 9:45 a.m. from Baker Memorial Chapel to Gill Center. (In case of rain, students proceed to Gill Center from Old Gill Gym.)

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony:
Click here for additional Undergraduate Ceremony instructions.
• Students assemble at McDaniel’s Baker Memorial Chapel at 1 p.m. (Note: rain location is Old Gill Gym)
• Procession begins at 1:45 p.m. from Baker Memorial Chapel to Gill Center. (In case of rain, students proceed to Gill Center from Old Gill Gym.)
• Immediately following the undergraduate ceremony, the new graduates have the opportunity to ring the Old Main bell located in Memorial Plaza signaling the completion of their degrees. (Students also ring the bell as freshmen on move-in day.)

In conjunction with Commencement, several events take place on Friday, May 20:

• Six graduating seniors from McDaniel are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during the Green Terror Battalion Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 3 p.m. in Baker Memorial Chapel. Maj. Gen. Antonio V. Munera, commanding general of the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, is the guest speaker.

• At 6 p.m., graduating seniors will process through Ward Memorial Arch to WMC Alumni Hall prior to the Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation at 6:30 p.m., where graduating seniors receive academic, activity and leadership awards, including The Bates Prize for the most outstanding male graduating senior and The Mary Ward Lewis Prize for the most outstanding female graduating senior.

#McDaniel22 Spirit Kit

Help us celebrate the Class of 2022 throughout the week, leading up to their Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 21!

Cheer on our graduates by sharing photos or messages using #McDaniel22. Tag us in your senior photos, decorated mortarboards, senior shout outs, and more. Plus, don’t forget to update your profiles and cover photos with our celebratory graphics!