McDaniel College, founded in 1867 and nationally recognized as one of 40 “Colleges That Change Lives,” is a four-year, independent college of the liberal arts and sciences. Its personalized, interdisciplinary, global curriculum and student-faculty collaboration develop the unique potential in every student.
(see more)McDaniel College, founded in 1867 and nationally recognized as one of 40 “Colleges That Change Lives,” is a four-year, independent college of the liberal arts and sciences. Its personalized, interdisciplinary, global curriculum and student-faculty collaboration develop the unique potential in every student.
McDaniel College Awards Bachelor's Degrees
McDaniel College awarded 380 bachelor's degrees during the college's Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on May 23.

Graduation -
May 29
Harrison Booth and Kaitlyn Herde Receive Senior Awards
Harrison Booth and Kaitlyn Herde were among those who received academic, activity and leadership awards at McDaniel College's Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation on May 22.

Academic Award -
May 28
Jennifer Christine Madison of Reisterstown Receives Senior Award
Jennifer Christine Madison, a Writing & Publishing major from Reisterstown (21136), was among select seniors who received academic, activity and leadership awards at the Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation on May 22.

Academic Award -
May 28

McDaniel College Awards Bachelor's Degrees, as well as Academic, Activity and Leadership Awards
McDaniel College awarded 380 bachelor's degrees during the college's Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on May 23. Select graduating seniors also received academic, activity and leadership awards at the Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation on May 22.

Graduation -
May 28
McDaniel College Graduate Awarded The Edith Farr Ridington Writing Award
Mackenzie R. McCarter of Hagerstown, Maryland, who graduated Summa Cum Laude with departmental honors in Biology and a specialization in Molecular Biology, was the recipient of The Edith Farr Ridington Writing Award. Her research paper titled "Effect of malathion on development of Cassiopea xamachana" won the top writing award.

Graduation -
May 28
McDaniel College Graduate Awarded The Mary Ward Lewis Prize
Margaret A. Riekenberg graduated Summa Cum Laude with majors in Theatre Arts and English from McDaniel College on May 23. She was awarded The Mary Ward Lewis Prize as the outstanding member of the graduating class during McDaniel College's Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation on May 22.

Graduation -
May 28
McDaniel College Graduates Awarded The Argonaut Award
McDaniel College awarded 380 bachelor's degrees during the college's Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on May 23. The Argonaut Award for the highest cumulative GPA during their entire completed courses of study was given to five undergraduates: Rebekah Faith Garrett of Pasadena, Maryland, Jolie A. Gray of Crownsville, Maryland, Jacqueline E. Kuzma of Stafford, Virginia, Elana Kara Petrone of Colonial Heights, Virginia, and Olivia Kathleen Shores of Frederick, Maryland.

Graduation -
May 28
Students Graduate from McDaniel College and Receive The Argonaut Award, as well as Commission as Second Lieutenants
Five undergraduate students earned The Argonaut Award for the highest cumulative GPA during their entire completed courses of study, including: Jolie A. Gray of Crownsville, Maryland, who 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. Elana Kara Petrone of Colonial Heights, Virginia, who 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 Officer after completing the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Graduation -
May 28
Rebekah Faith Garrett of Pasadena Graduates from McDaniel College and Receives The Argonaut Award and Bates Prize
Rebekah Faith Garrett of Pasadena graduates from McDaniel College and receives The Argonaut Award and Bates Prize.

Graduation -
May 28
McDaniel College Graduates Commissioned as Second Lieutenants
Seven McDaniel College graduates received commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army on May 22.

Military Achievement -
May 28
McDaniel College Graduate Rahmel X. Bellebranche of Westminster Commissioned as Second Lieutenant
Rahmel X. Bellebranche of Westminster (21158) was one of seven McDaniel College graduates commissioned May 22 as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Military Achievement -
May 28
Megan Elizabeth Barksdale of Kansas City Awarded The B. Jill Brooks Hodge Professional Development Award during McDaniel College's Graduate Commencement Ceremony
Megan Elizabeth Barksdale of Kansas City (64118) earned a master's degree in Education of the Deaf and received The B. Jill Brooks Hodge Professional Development Award during McDaniel College's Graduate Commencement Ceremony on May 17.

Graduation -
May 28
McDaniel College senior student-athletes inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma national scholar-athlete honor society
Seniors were inducted into the Maryland Pi Chapter of the Chi Alpha Sigma national scholar-athlete honor society at McDaniel College during McDaniel Athletics Senior Celebration on May 21.

Honor Society -
May 22
McDaniel College Awards Master's Degrees
McDaniel College awarded 283 master's degrees conferred from 22 programs during the college's Graduate Commencement Ceremony on May 17.

Graduation -
May 27
Transfer Students Enroll at McDaniel College
Transfer students have enrolled at McDaniel College. This list includes students who have deposited as of May 15, 2025.

Enrollment -
May 16
McDaniel College welcomes Class of 2029
Incoming students have enrolled at McDaniel College as members of the Class of 2029. This list includes students who have deposited as of May 15, 2025.

Enrollment -
May 16

McDaniel College seniors presented at Phi Alpha Theta Regional History Honor Society Conference
Seven McDaniel College seniors were invited to present at the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference held April 12.

Academic Award -
May 13
McDaniel College Selects Students as Global Fellows
McDaniel College selects students into the college's Global Fellows program. The Global Fellows program is 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. Students earn a Global Fellow designation on their transcript upon completion of the program.

Achievement (Other) -
May 9
Senior Cinema majors premiered films at McDaniel College's Cinema Showcase
Cinema majors at McDaniel College premiered their original student-produced narrative and documentary films during the annual McDaniel Cinema Showcase. The students wrote, directed, produced, and edited films as the culminating project for their senior capstone. Screenings took place Wednesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 8, at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, Maryland.

Achievement (Other) -
May 9
Students recognized at McDaniel College's Impact Awards
McDaniel College students were recognized at the April 23 Impact Awards. The event highlighted McDaniel students, faculty, and staff for their exemplary efforts and impact on McDaniel's campus outside of the classroom. It was hosted by the Office of Student Engagement as part of the college's Excellence in Leadership Program.

Student Excellence -
May 9

McDaniel College students presented research, scholarship, and creative work during Academic Symposium
McDaniel College's daylong Academic Symposium on Monday, May 5, showcased the original research, scholarship, and creative achievements of McDaniel students, faculty, and staff.

Symposium -
May 8

McDaniel College students inducted into Lambda Pi Eta international honor society in communication
Students were inducted into the Lambda Pi Eta international honor society in communication at McDaniel College.

Honor Society -
May 8

McDaniel College Art majors showcase work in capstone exhibition
Works by Art majors at McDaniel College were highlighted in the first of two capstone exhibitions from April 15-25 in McDaniel's Esther Prangley Rice Gallery in Peterson Hall.
McDaniel College students inducted into Phi Beta Kappa national honor society
On March 30, students were inducted into McDaniel College's Delta of Maryland Chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa national honor society. Founded in 1776, the Phi Beta Kappa Society is the nation's oldest academic honor society.

Honor Society -
May 1
McDaniel College Art majors showcase work in capstone exhibition
Works by Art majors at McDaniel College are highlighted in the second of two capstone exhibitions. The exhibition runs Tuesday, April 29-Friday, May 9, in McDaniel's Esther Prangley Rice Gallery in Peterson Hall.
McDaniel College students inducted into Sigma Tau Delta international honor society in English
Students were inducted April 25 into the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society at McDaniel College.

Honor Society -
May 1

McDaniel College student Jaden Silverman wins People's Choice Award at Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge
Jaden Silverman, a senior American Sign Language major from Manhattan, New York, tied for the $1,000 People's Choice award at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge on April 29 at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, Maryland.

Student Competition -
May 1
McDaniel College student Sana Askari wins $5K top prize at Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge
Sana Askari won the $5,000 top prize for first place at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge on April 29 at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, Maryland. Askari is a junior Political Science, Business Administration, and Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies major.

Student Competition -
May 1

Five McDaniel students competed in the McDaniel College Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge
Five McDaniel College students competed in the McDaniel College Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge on April 29. In addition to the $5,000 top prize, $1,000 was awarded to the People's Choice winner. Plus, all finalists who successfully completed all requirements for participating in the Innovation Challenge were awarded $800.

Student Competition -
May 1
McDaniel College Students Perform in Gospel Choir Concert
McDaniel College students perform in the Gospel Choir Concert on Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in WMC Alumni Hall's Mainstage Theatre at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, Maryland. The Gospel Choir performs traditional and contemporary gospel music, under the direction of Senior Adjunct Lecturer Shelley Ensor.