Meet this year’s Distinguished Senior, Liam Carls ’23
As the winner of the Distinguished Senior Award, Liam Carls ’23 will give the senior class address during Commencement weekend.
Liam, a physics major with a cumulative GPA of 3.98, has been actively involved in space science research as a member of the Carthage Microgravity Team. He also serves as president of the Society of Physics Students chapter.
The Distinguished Senior Award recognizes high academic achievement, service to the campus community, leadership in student organizations, and active engagement beyond the campus. This year’s recipient drew praise from faculty nominators for his wider impact.
“At the heart of Liam’s work here at Carthage has been his unwavering passion for sustainability,” said Professor Neil Scharnick, who announced Liam as the award winner.
As a campus sustainability intern for the past two academic years, Liam worked to manage recycling processes, repurpose electronics, and promote environmentally friendly habits. In spring 2022, he and other like-minded students launched the Sustainability Summit, a now-annual community event that features expert speakers and organizational booths.
Liam has minors in mathematics as well as meteorology and climatology. As a freshman, he competed as a libero for the Firebirds’ NCAA Division III volleyball program.
After graduation, Liam will begin a master’s program in applied physics at the University of Oregon. He plans to focus on battery storage technology and clean energy generation.
The senior address will take place Friday, May 26, during the Commencement ceremony in A. F. Siebert Chapel. Graduating seniors selected Nina Weisling, assistant professor of education, to give the faculty remarks.
Each graduate is allotted two tickets for guests to attend the ceremony, which opens a weekend of activities. For those who cannot attend in-person, a live stream will be available.