Campus News

October 27th, 2026

GC education program grad named Future Outstanding Professional

Oursler, now at FSU, says GC provided important foundation

Frostburg, MD – Frostburg State University student Cole Oursler, who graduated from Garrett College’s education program, has been named a 2026 Future Outstanding Professional by SHAPE Maryland.

“It was a complete surprise,” Oursler said of the award. “I had no idea. It’s just cool to be recognized at that high a level.”

Oursler, who grew up in Berkeley Springs, WV before moving to Swanton, added that “just being from a small town, putting both small towns on the map is pretty cool.”

SHAPE Maryland, founded in 1902, is an organization that serves current and future health and physical education professionals throughout Maryland. The organization provides scholarships and grants along with professional development and networking opportunities for individuals in the health and physical education fields.

Oursler, who is a health and physical education major at FSU, noted his Garrett College education was an outstanding introduction to the education field.

“It was awesome – I loved every minute of it,” Oursler said of the education program at Garrett College, which is led by Professor John Taylor. “He [Dr. Taylor] is one of my favorite professors I’ve ever had.”

"Cole was one of the best physical education/health education majors I have had at Garrett College,” said Dr. Taylor. “He demonstrated a commitment to both quality work and student success. Cole's work with public school students was always a positive experience due to his student-centered approach to teaching."

Oursler, meanwhile, said he appreciated Dr. Taylor’s practical approach to education.

“I feel like we got into the real-world experience of teaching – how to handle certain things going on in the classroom instead of just getting us ready to take the PRAXIS exam,” said Oursler, referencing the series of standardized teacher certification tests used to measure academic skills and subject-specific knowledge of teacher candidates.

Oursler, who is scheduled to graduate from FSU in December 2027, said his love of teaching grew out of a love for coaching.

“My senior year in high school, I took a couple of freshman baseball players under my wing,” recalled Oursler. “I realized, ‘This is cool. I like helping them out.’ I realized I could do that all of the time through teaching. I’ve always liked being able to help others.”