Ten Recognized at Annual George Washington’s Birthday Convocation
Faculty, staff, alumni, and community leaders were honored for their contributions to Chestertown, the Eastern Shore, and Washington College.
Director of the Maryland Park Service Ranger Angela Crenshaw '04 looks at President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12 as he presents her with the Washington College Award for Excellence.
Held between the Coast-to-Coast Toast and the Birthday Ball, the 2026 George Washington’s Birthday Convocation anchored celebrations of our first president with a reminder of how the Washington College community continues to live up to his example of civic engagement, leadership, and service.
The keynote address by Ranger Angela Crenshaw ’04, director of the Maryland Park Service, drew a standing ovation from the crowd in Decker Theatre. Her speech shared her educational and professional journey before finishing with reflections on her “shero” Harriet Tubman. Crenshaw quoted from a letter Frederick Douglass sent to Tubman noting that while he had advocated for freedom publicly and to acclaim from a large public, she had done the secretive work of helping people escape American slavery.
“They both fought tirelessly for the cause of liberty for their entire lives. You all are here because you are driven, passionate, and want to excel. You all will do wonderful things, otherwise you wouldn’t be here,” Crenshaw said. “My challenge to you is this, whether you fight in the light of day like Douglass or in the darkness of night like Tubman, fight for what you believe and value. Support each other. Speak for those who do not have a voice. Be there for your colleagues. Uplift those who are around you. Shine a light on people who are doing meaningful work. Amplify the voices of those who have worthy thoughts and inspirational words to share.”
You can watch Crenshaw’s full speech on the College’s YouTube channel.
Challenging the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members in attendance to redouble their work for the public good was something of a theme of the Birthday Convocation, which Interim President Bryan Matthews ’75 M ’86 P’12 opened by remembering the late Nate Smith, an emeritus professor who had taught at the College for 41 years and served as a leader in official and unofficial ways. Early in his tenure at Washington, Smith was a key figure in pushing for the racial integration of the College.
“Ask yourselves how you model not only intellectual leadership, but moral leadership. How can you steward Washington’s values and stand as a quiet force for excellence? How will you leave your legacy here?” Matthews said. “Considering our past, we can create a better future, for Washington College and for our country.”
Chairman of the Board of Visitors and Governors Rick Wheeler ’86 also pointed to Smith as an exemplar of the College’s values, and while President of the Student Government Association Zach Tipton ’27 invoked the nation’s 250th anniversary this year as a reason for the audience to consider the College’s history and how to carry on its legacy.
The Birthday Convocation also saw the awarding of five awards to 10 different people who have been important to the College and the larger Chestertown community. Before her speech, Crenshaw received the Washington College Award for Excellence from President Matthews.
“We admire your trailblazing role in conservation and public service and your commitment to making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive for all Marylanders. Your life and career offer an inspiring model for our students,” Matthews said when presenting the award. “This award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their fields and to society, and we believe your leadership and dedication to public service—particularly your work advancing environmental stewardship, equity, and education through the Maryland Park Service—reflect the very spirit of this recognition.”
Provost Kiho Kim presented the 2026 Cromwell Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation in Teaching Award to Professor Shaun Ramsey of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science for his “innovative pedagogy that creates the opportunity for students who may not otherwise imagine themselves as game designers to find a sense of belonging in that field.”
Matthews presented two President’s Medals for 2026, to environmental nonprofit ShoreRivers and to John Schratwieser, executive director of the Kent Cultural Alliance, for their contributions to the Eastern Shore and their support and partnership with Washington College students, faculty, and staff.
Three staff members received the Joseph L. Holt Distinguished Service Award for their devoted work at the College: Assistant Dean of Advising and Academic Advocacy Hilary Bateman, Executive Director of the Center for Career Development Nanette Cooley, and Sports Fields Manager John Ruth.
The Washington College Alumni Board recognized three people with the Alumni Service Award, presented by board president Eddie Raleigh ’08.
Myrt Gaines ’78, a member of the Board of Visitors and Governors, was recognized as “a steadfast leader, volunteer, and ambassador for Washington College,” and Raleigh noted the impact of his support for the athletics program in particular.
Pat McMenamin ’87 and Debbie Kirkpatrick McMenamin ’88 were the other two award winners, honored for “their decades of service, enthusiasm, and generosity.” After noting that Pat has previously filled the role of Alumni Board president himself, Raleigh shared a few brief words about the couple’s continuing service.
“Pat and Debbie remain active participants at reunions, athletics events, regional programs, and alumni-admissions initiatives,” Raleigh said. “Their shared dedication makes them exceptionally deserving recipients of the Alumni Service Award.”
— Mark Jolly-Van Bodegraven