Alumni News

Alumni Honored at Birthday Convocation

The 2026 George Washington’s Birthday Convocation anchored our celebrations of the country’s 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 Angela Crenshaw ’04, park ranger and 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 work of helping people escape American slavery in secret.

“They both fought tirelessly for the cause of liberty for their entire lives,” 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.”

Before her speech, Crenshaw received the Washington College Award for Excellence. 

“We admire your trailblazing role in conservation and public service and your commitment to making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive for all Marylanders,” said President Bryan Matthews ’75 M’86 P’12 when presenting the award. “Your life and career offer an inspiring model for our students.”

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 McMenamin was a previous Alumni Board president himself, Raleigh shared a few 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