Campus News

May 12th, 2026

DeBaugh looks to lighten things up

Garrett College student athlete selected as commencement speaker

College commencements can be emotional affairs, bringing tears to the eyes of students and family members.

Except not on Liam DeBaugh’s watch.

"I want to tell a little bit of my story," said DeBaugh, selected by Garrett College’s faculty to serve as the student speaker at Saturday’s 10:30 a.m. commencement. "I want to keep it simple, keep it light, and try to make some people laugh."

The Annapolis resident, who won a state wrestling title at Broadneck High School, went 19-17 wrestling for Frostburg State University as a freshman during the 2023-24 academic year. He then left FSU, spent a semester at Anne Arundel Community College, and did a stint as a construction worker before determining his true calling.

"I just decided I wanted to become a teacher," explained DeBaugh, adding a friend who attended Garrett College encouraged him to enroll at GC.

"It’s been nothing but the best," DeBaugh said of his Garrett experience. "From the professors to the coaches to all of the people I’ve met, it’s been a great experience."

DeBaugh, who will receive an Associate of Arts in General Studies, helped Garrett College’s wrestling team win this year’s NJCAA Gulf Atlantic District team championship. He finished fourth at 197 pounds in the district, earning a national tournament berth and helping him land a wrestling scholarship to Ferrum (VA) College.

GC head wrestling coach David Wingate said DeBaugh "fell back in love with the sport" and also recommitted to his academics.

"He understood what it meant to be an accomplished student athlete, not just an athlete," said Wingate. "He’s got a really good scholarship to Ferrum – and he wouldn’t have gotten that if he wasn’t doing the right things on and off the mat. He’s a great kid."

Assistant Professor of English Tracy Reese said she was impressed with how DeBaugh approached her Communications 101 class.

"Instead of pursuing a grade, he pursued growth – an increasingly rare quality in any college student in the age of AI," said Reese.

"Liam’s energy in the classroom reminds us that authentic curiosity and hard work make a leader more than natural skill," added Reese. "When those characteristics are combined with natural skill, that results in the sorts of students – the sorts of people – who are up to the tasks of both facing and forming the future."

DeBaugh, who will be majoring in political science and history, still hopes to become a teacher after finishing his bachelor’s degree. Dr. John Taylor, professor of education at Garrett College, believes DeBaugh will be outstanding in his chosen profession.

"Some students have natural teaching skills, and that is exactly what I saw in Liam when he first presented in my class," said Dr. Taylor. "His flow, as well as knowledge base of his topic, were impressive. The skills he demonstrated were those of a more experienced teacher."

Olivia Beitzel, an assistant professor of mathematics at GC, said DeBaugh "brought a great energy to my statistics class."

"He had a heart for learning and a sincere kindness toward every student he worked with," said Beitzel. "I am so excited to see what the future holds for him as he moves on to this next chapter."

Notes: Saturday’s commencement will take place in the Morin Family Gymnasium in the Edwards Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex (CARC).