Jessica Wenyi Chen Earns Degree from St. Mary's College of Maryland

2014 May 27

St. Mary's College of Maryland announces that Jessica Wenyi Chen of Rockville, Maryland, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor of arts degree. Chen graduated with major(s) in English and Asian studies, and minored in music. Chen was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest academic honor society.

The Commencement ceremony, which took place on May 17 2014, featured addresses from St. Mary's College Interim President Ian Newbould and journalist Gwen Ifill. Ifill told the graduating seniors, "Your job is to be lifted by our expectations for you, but not to be smothered by them. ... Be inspired to be the leader that St. Mary's has helped you to become." Ifill was also conferred an honorary doctoral degree during the ceremony.

St. Mary's College of Maryland, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. More than 1,800 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary's River in Southern Maryland.