CUMBERLAND, Md. (Dec. 6, 2023)–Allegany College of Maryland will celebrate student
achievements of its fall 2023 graduating class with Commencement at 7 pm on Friday, December 15. The commencement ceremony will be held in Kirk Arena
of the Physical Education building on the Cumberland campus.
Featured student speakers for the ceremony include Brooke Colledge, Mattesyn Crotts, Hannah McCoy, and Paige Shauf.
- Colledge, of Everett, Pa., graduates with an associate degree in legal studies while simultaneously
earning her high school diploma. Colledge began her studies at ACM as an early college
student during her junior year at the college’s Bedford County Campus. She made the
Dean’s List for three semesters, and she is a scholarship recipient. Colledge served
as president of Omicron Pi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
and vice president of the Student Government Association. She will attend Seton Hill
University as a criminal justice major. Colledge intends to become a medical malpractice
lawyer, with plans to graduate from law school at the age that most individuals enter
law school, thanks to her accelerated academic career. She enjoys riding horses, baking,
and crocheting.
- Crotts, of Cumberland, Md., graduates with an associate degree in teacher education - elementary
education area of concentration. She is a 2021 graduate of Fort Hill High School,
a second-generation ACM student, and the third in her family to enroll in the college’s
teacher education program. She appeared on the Dean’s List three times, and she is
a scholarship recipient. Crotts was encouraged by her own experiences and her advisor’s
urging to pursue education. She will attend Frostburg State University as an early
childhood/elementary education major. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she will
continue at FSU for graduate studies. She is a childcare worker at Kids’ Korner at
Beall Elementary, a classroom volunteer in her mother’s pre-K classroom at Frankfort
Immediate School, and a volunteer for Frostburg’s Storybook Holiday.
- McCoy, of Flintstone, Md., graduates with an associate degree in nursing. She is dual enrolled
at Frostburg State University’s RN to BSN program. McCoy is a 2020 graduate of Fort
Hill High School, a second-generation ACM student, and the second in her family to
speak at their ACM graduation. She was an early college student through ACM and a
scholarship recipient. McCoy has consistently appeared on both ACM and FSU’s Dean’s
Lists. She is an Omicron Pi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
member and an ACM Honors program participant. McCoy found her academic path after
the pandemic altered her original plan. With nursing in her blood—her grandfather
was a nurse, her grandmother is a nurse, and her aunt is an ACM nursing instructor—she
plans to become a labor and delivery nurse.
- Shauf, of Six Mile, Pa., graduates with an associate degree in business administration.
She is a 2022 graduate of Tussey Mountain Middle/High School in Saxton, Pa. Shauf
made the Dean’s List three times while attending ACM, and she is a scholarship recipient.
Her love of ACM led her to serve as an ACM Trojan Ambassador, a student who leads
campus tours, answers questions from prospective students, and helps promote the college.
Shauf completed a semester’s worth of early college courses through ACM and has attended
the college’s Bedford County Campus. She will attend the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary
Science as a funeral service major. After graduating and becoming a licensed mortician,
Shauf plans to own and operate a funeral home within her community.
Cynthia Bambara, the college’s president, will open the commencement ceremony with
a welcome for the candidates for graduation, past graduates in attendance and guests.
Senior Vice President Kurt Hoffman will present the candidates for graduation. Kim
Leonard, chair of the college’s board of trustees, will award diplomas to the graduates.
Commencement Grand Marshal Donna Brunelli, D.O., and Assistant Grand Marshal Robin
Imgrund will lead the faculty processional.
All are welcome to attend the commencement ceremony. Guests are recommended to park
near the Physical Education Building and outdoor track area. The ceremony will be
livestreamed at www.facebook.com/alleganycollegeofmaryland.
Information about Allegany College of Maryland’s fall commencement exercises is available
by contacting Joanna DuVall at 301-784-5288 or visiting www.allegany.edu/graduation.
