LA PLATA, Md. — The College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees unanimously approved the granting of emeritus status to two retired mathematics faculty members, Professor Thomas Seremet and Professor Susan Strickland, during its July meeting. This recognition highlights their long-term contributions to students, the college, and the mathematics discipline.
The decision followed a thorough review process. Nominations for Seremet and Strickland came from mathematics faculty members Donna Sperry, Robert Farinelli, and Elizabeth Rourke. Peers evaluated the submissions, followed by reviews from the executive cabinet and the board. Awarding emeritus status is a college tradition that acknowledges excellence in scholarship, achievements, and service.
Professor Thomas Seremet started at the College of Southern Maryland as an adjunct mathematics instructor in the 1980s. He became a full-time faculty member shortly after and served as department chair from 1996 to 2006. He continued teaching until his retirement in 2018. In 2009, he received the Faculty Excellence Award.
The Faculty Senate nomination described Seremet as a remarkable educator who taught courses ranging from calculus to practical mathematics for non-STEM students. He developed co-requisite courses that enabled students to complete mathematics requirements efficiently while maintaining academic standards. As chair, he unified the department, promoting collaboration, mutual respect, and professional development through initiatives like the course coordinator model, group conferences, and training in new technologies.
Professor Susan Strickland joined the mathematics department in 2001 and retired in 2019. She earned the Faculty Excellence Award in 2011. Strickland held leadership roles, including course coordinator, faculty advisor, and co-principal investigator for the STEM Scholars program.
Her influence reached beyond the college through involvement in national organizations, such as the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges and the College Board’s Advanced Placement Calculus reader group. She also coordinated the Student Mathematics League for the association.
“Professor Strickland was the embodiment of a student-centered educator,” the CSM Faculty Senate wrote in its nomination. “She strived to help her students, no matter who they were and where they were going, gain an appreciation for mathematics and how it affected their lives.”
“Professor Seremet and Professor Strickland represent the very best qualities of the College of Southern Maryland,” said Dr. Yolanda Wilson, CSM President. “Their unwavering dedication to student success, commitment to academic excellence, and leadership among their peers have made a lasting impact on generations of learners and faculty members. This award stands as a tribute to their enduring legacy and the inspiration they continue to provide to the CSM community.”
The College of Southern Maryland, originally established as Charles County Community College in 1958, expanded to serve St. Mary’s and Calvert counties before adopting its current name in 2000. It operates campuses in La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick, and Hughesville, providing associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training to residents across Southern Maryland.
This emeritus status approval continues a longstanding practice at the college. In 2024, the board conferred the title on retired biology professor Paul Billeter for his 48-year career. A year earlier, in 2023, three professors–Christine Arnold-Lourie, Maria Bryant, and Michelle Simpson–received emeritus status for their service in various disciplines. These honors reflect the institution’s commitment to recognizing faculty who advance education in the region.
Mathematics education at community colleges like CSM plays a key role in preparing students for careers or transfer to four-year institutions. The department offers courses in areas such as algebra, statistics, and calculus, supporting programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Seremet’s innovations in co-requisite models addressed common challenges, allowing more students to progress without extended remedial sequences. Strickland’s national involvement helped align CSM curricula with broader standards, benefiting local learners pursuing advanced studies.
In Southern Maryland, where the college serves as a primary higher education resource, such recognitions underscore the value of dedicated faculty. The board’s July action, detailed in meeting minutes, aligns with ongoing efforts to maintain high academic standards. With fall classes underway, current faculty build on legacies like those of Seremet and Strickland.
The emeritus designation allows retired professors to maintain ties to the college, often through guest lectures or advisory roles. At CSM, this tradition dates back decades, fostering a sense of continuity in a region known for its naval base proximity and growing tech sector. Students from Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties have benefited from the practical, student-focused approach these educators exemplified.
