Graduation
Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Seniors will receive their flowers and boutonnieres before sitting for their class picture, so prompt arrival by 10:00 is imperative. A livestream of the ceremony will be made available via our Facebook and YouTube Pages. As it is an outdoor, tented event, there is potential that unsuitable weather (thunder) could postpone the ceremony by several minutes to several hours, as necessary. We understand the impact this can have on your plans for the day, so thank you for your patience should we need to navigate the weather together. Should the weather make an outdoor ceremony impossible, the event would be held in the Field House, with limited seating capacity.
Michael J. (Mike) Sosulski, Ph.D. is currently the 31st President of Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. He took office in September 2021, after serving as Provost at Wofford College in South Carolina for five years.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER 2024:
Michael J. Sosulski, Ph.D.
Michael J. (Mike) Sosulski, Ph.D. is currently the 31st President of Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. He took office in September 2021, after serving as Provost at Wofford College in South Carolina for five years.
In his short time at the College, he has implemented a number of initiatives that expanded quality and improved recognition of Washington as Maryland’s premier small college. He pushed forward a $20 million investment in renovations of residence halls, improved Wi-Fi quality and access, secured a new dining services partner improving the quality of the dining experience, created a new senior leadership post of Associate Provost of Diversity and Inclusion, and approved the addition of golf, cross country, and track and field as new sports for men and women. He also helped steward the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the College—$50 million from the Hodson Trust dedicated to financial support for students.
A seasoned leader in academic and student affairs, financial stewardship, and change management, Sosulski, has established a strategic vision for Washington College that has already improved ties with Chestertown and other Eastern Shore communities, implemented new, innovative academic initiatives, and enhanced student life on campus. Under Sosulski’s leadership, Washington is planning expansion of its campus facilities and the launch of the largest fundraising campaign the institution has undertaken in advance of celebrating the 250th anniversary of Washington College.
During his tenure at Wofford, Sosulski was instrumental in the redesign and reconstruction of a range of vibrant academic spaces, the appointment of the first academic Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and leading comprehensive work to strengthen shared governance.
At Wofford, Sosulski was also a full Professor of German. Prior to that, he was with Kalamazoo College where he held positions first as an Assistant Professor of German and eventually as Associate Professor, Department Chair in German Studies, and Associate Provost. He earned his B.S. in German from Georgetown University and went on to receive an M.A. followed by a Ph.D. in Germanic Studies from The University of Chicago.