Jim & Debbie McGowan

Our son Marty has always been a quiet leader, disciplined and with goals.  Marty is the oldest of our three children so he is our first to go off to college.  When applying to schools, he had his eyes set on some private schools as well as several of the fine Maryland public colleges/universities.   We allowed him to apply to these schools with the understanding the costs was also a factor in the equation.  In the end Marty had it narrowed down to a private school where he offered a top academic scholarship and St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) where he was also offered an academic scholarship.  Upon visiting both schools for a second time, he chose SMCM.  The price was right, the school was ranked high, Marty liked the feel of the school, and it was close enough, yet far enough away, for Marty to spread his wings of independence.

The first weeks of school we didn’t hear much from our son.  Friends in-the-know, who had children in college or past that stage, told us this was a good thing.  We missed him.  I'd find myself setting five places at the table when there were now only four.  Sometimes I’d find myself at the SMCM web site checking the webcam to see if I’d catch a glimpse of our son.  I never did.  The house was surprisingly quieter with the absence of Marty’s fingers dancing across the piano keys.  Marty’s brother, Michael, wrote an English paper referencing his mother’s crazed behavior when his older brother was off at college.   This would take some getting used to. 
We visited Marty for Family Weekend in the Fall and found him happy and content.  He had met some nice new friends, his classes were challenging and he was doing well, and he and his roommate were getting along well.

We are now preparing to send our next son to college.  The process getting there isn’t much different; questions to our son regularly remind us of when Marty was preparing to apply to colleges.  They’re much the same; is your essay done, did you send your SAT/ACT scores, are the deadlines being met?  Michael is also applying to SMCM along with a handful of other state schools.  We have confidence in SMCM because of the experience Marty is having.   It definitely is the right fit for our son, Marty.

SMCM is a small school with a beautiful setting.  We hear stories of kayak rides, pizza deliveries, and the Point.  Granted, we don’t hear details, but we hear enough to know SMCM is an active college community and serene all in one.   Marty’s first year was filled with extracurricular activities like movies and comedy shows.  He attended some world class musical performances, too.  He told us there wasn’t a huge need to leave campus because most things were right there.  He hung out with friends by the water, he captured a volunteer position in the Admissions Office, and he maintained very good grades.  He promotes the college because he knows what it has to offer. 

Marty’s return to SMCM for his sophomore year was to a suite, not a dorm.  Marty enjoyed his summer break, but was ready to return.  We look forward to Marty’s weekly phone call each Sunday evening now (we asked him to phone home at least once a week).  This year there is talk of a study abroad.  We know Marty will do fine and grow from this rich experience.  As for his mom, she will probably grow a little grayer because she likes her children close to home, but in the end she’ll be proud and excited for the adventures and experiences each one will embark upon. 

A friend who has a daughter at SMCM once said he felt his daughter would do better being a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond.  I think he got it right.  SMCM is a small school, and with that,  our son has more opportunity to get individual attention, be a part of the whole experience, and partake in activities he might not at a larger school.  Each child is different and what is right for one might not be right for the next, but for most, I think SMCM is a wonderful place to continue to grow as an individual, to continue to love learning, and to grow from a teen to an adult.   We’re watching it happen before our eyes, and we continue to be amazed with our oldest son.   If grades, interest, and enthusiasm are any indication, Marty is well positioned to continue his studies after SMCM and at the graduate level.  SMCM is helping him spread his wings and we know he will soar into the future with the confidence it takes to make it in today’s society and our hope is that he is always as happy as he seems to be right now and his memories of these years will be memories he holds close to his heart forever. 

Jim and Debbie McGowan
Deb.jim@verizon.net

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