ST. MARY’S CITY, Md., May 9, 2025 — St. Mary’s College of Maryland honored 27 senior student-athletes from its baseball and men’s and women’s lacrosse teams in a special grad walk ceremony on May 8. The event, held under the commencement tent, recognized the Seahawks who will miss the college’s 2025 Commencement on May 10 due to their participation in the United East Conference Final Four and NCAA Division III Championship tournaments.
The baseball team will compete in the United East Conference Final Four on May 10 against Penn State Harrisburg at 3 p.m. at Keystone College in La Plume, Pennsylvania. Simultaneously, the women’s lacrosse team will face Haverford College at noon in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship at Salisbury University. The men’s lacrosse team will play No. 2 Salisbury University at 3:30 p.m. in the second round, also at Salisbury’s campus.
The grad walk mirrored the traditional commencement, beginning with “Pomp and Circumstance March” as administrators in regalia processed to the stage, followed by the student-athletes. Family, friends, teammates, faculty, and staff joined the ceremony. President Tuajuanda C. Jordan delivered brief remarks, praising the graduates’ contributions.
“You are the embodiment of the St. Mary’s Way,” Jordan told the graduating Seahawks. “Thank you for your exceptional work. Your achievements that you bring to this day, your competitive efforts on Saturday and your good deeds in the years ahead add to the legacy of St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Congratulations on a job well done.”
Each athlete’s name and major were announced as they crossed the stage to receive congratulations from Jordan and pose for photos. The ceremony, live-streamed like the upcoming commencement, is available via links on the college’s commencement website.
The grad walk ensured the 27 seniors were celebrated despite their absence from the main commencement, set for 10 a.m. on May 10 on the Townhouse Green. The Saturday event, also live-streamed, will gather other graduates, faculty, and guests. The student-athletes’ commitments reflect their success in securing spots in competitive postseason tournaments, highlighting their athletic and academic dedication.
St. Mary’s College, a public liberal arts institution, values the balance of academics and athletics, and the grad walk underscores this commitment. The Seahawks’ participation in the United East Conference and NCAA tournaments marks a significant achievement, with the baseball team advancing to the conference’s Final Four and both lacrosse teams earning NCAA bids. The women’s team begins its postseason journey, while the men’s team, already in the second round, faces a top-ranked opponent.
The grad walk ceremony provided a moment to recognize the seniors’ contributions to the college’s legacy. Their athletic schedules, requiring travel to Pennsylvania and Salisbury, prevented attendance at the main commencement, prompting the college to organize the alternative event. The presence of loved ones and campus community members added to the celebratory atmosphere.
President Jordan’s remarks emphasized the graduates’ embodiment of the college’s values, known as the St. Mary’s Way, which prioritizes leadership, community, and service. The athletes’ achievements, both on the field and in the classroom, contribute to the institution’s reputation as a hub for well-rounded scholars.
The college’s commencement website provides access to both the grad walk and Saturday’s ceremony, ensuring broader community engagement. The live streams allow families and supporters unable to attend in person to share in the milestone. St. Mary’s College continues to support its student-athletes, celebrating their dual roles as competitors and graduates.
