Commencement 2025
Campus News
May 17th, 2025
Warne urges GC grads to embrace the journey
Speaker is one of 5 students to share highest academic honor
Five members of Garrett College's Class of 2025 finished with a perfect 4.0 Grade-Point Average (GPA) with at least 60 credits completed at GC. Pictured, left to right, are Garrett College Chief Academic Officer Christa Bowser, 4.0 students Ellen Buckingham, Paxton Patronas, Easton Rhoten, Natalie Warne, and Aiyana Yoder, and Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap.
Peter Skylstad was named Professor Emeritus as part of Garrett College’s 2025 Commencement on Saturday. Skylstad spent 21 years on the Garrett College faculty in the Natural Resources & Wildlife Technology program. Pictured, left to right, are Garrett College Board of Trustees Chair Jason Rush, Skylstad, GC President Dr. Richard Midcap, and GC Chief Academic Officer Professor Christa Bowser.
Perfection is usually pretty uncommon.
Garrett College's 2025 commencement exercises proved to be an exception.
Five members of the 129-person Class of 2025 finished with a perfect 4.0 Grade-Point Average (GPA) with at least 60 credits completed at GC. The quintet – Ellen Buckingham, Paxton Patronas, Easton Rhoten, Natalie Warne, and Aiyana Yoder – shared the commencement award for Highest Grade-Point Average.
One of the highest GPA award recipients – Warne – was also selected by the Garrett College faculty to serve as student speaker at commencement. She urged her fellow graduates to value their respective pathways as much as their ultimate destinations.
"We often say, 'I can't wait,' because our dreams are big and our hopes are high," said Warne, who is matriculating to Frostburg State University in the fall to prepare to become a science teacher. "And that's a good thing – in fact, it's those very dreams that drive us to work hard and make things happen."
Warne, however, cautioned classmates to "take a moment to slow down and appreciate the journey – because the path you take toward your dreams is just as meaningful as the destination."
Warne reached back in time, invoking one of the giants of 1980s cinematography, to reinforce her point.
"As Ferris Bueller said, 'Life moves pretty fast,' " said Warne. " 'If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.' "
Warne said Garrett College graduates should especially embrace Bueller's message.
"Garrett College is an exceptional place to learn because Garrett County is an exceptional place to live," said Warne. "Take advantage of every moment here. Picnic at the state park. Jump into the cold lake. Hike in the mountains. And get lost on back roads without a destination in mind.
"Because years from now, when you think back on this time," said Warne, "it won't just be the classes or the grades you remember, but the moments you lived."
Warne also advised her fellow graduates to "be thankful for the people who have made your moments special." People at the top of her list included parents Holly and Mike Warne, sister Olivia Warne, GC Professor of Education John Taylor, GC Assistant Professor of Chemistry Joel Bostic, and the Garrett College women's soccer team, which she called her "second family on and off the field."
Musulyn Pinney was recognized for being named to the All-State Academic Team by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Aiyana Yoder was named the 2025 George G. Edwards Outstanding Transfer Student, and Alex Hostutler was named the 2025 Wendell R. Beitzel Outstanding Career Advancement Student.
Pinney and Buckingham shared the 2025 Dr. Stephen J. Herman Leadership and Excellence Award, and Johnna Collins claimed the 2025 Dr. Lillian R. Mitchell Inspiration and Excellence Award.
Three baseball players – Patronas, Rhoten, and Ethan Sebold – shared the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year award. Warne (women's soccer) and Yoder (women's volleyball) shared Female Scholar Athlete of the Year honors.
Garrett College also honored Peter Skylstad, a retired faculty member, as Professor Emeritus for Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology.
Class of 2025 by the numbers
- Degrees: 60 Associate of Arts, 39 Associate of Applied Science, five Associate of Arts in Teaching, 13 Associate of Science, and 12 certificates
- Average GPA: 3.33
- Garrett County Scholarship Program: 65 students, funded at $321,919 by Garrett County Government
- Fun Facts: 58 of the 65 GCSP recipients first utilized the GCSP as High School Dual Enrolled students; the youngest graduate is 17 and the oldest graduate is 42; six of the graduates are international students (one each from Spain, Liberia, and Zimbabwe, and three from Canada)
A collection of photos from Garrett College's 2025 are available to view here.
