Lieutenant Commander Lauren T. Baguley, USN

Lieutenant Commander Lauren T. Baguley, USN - Class of 2010

2025 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee

Career Achievements 

From the pool to the bridge of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Lieutenant Commander Lauren T. Baguley’s journey has always been anchored in water. She began playing water polo in sixth grade and carried her love for the sport through high school, college, and beyond.

“Learning to swim in the environment that Hudsonville provided fostered my passion for the water while instilling lessons that shaped my future. The many hours spent in the pool honed my patience, discipline, and focus—qualities that continue to serve me in the Navy.”

A 2014 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Commander Baguley earned a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography and received her commission into the U.S. Navy. While at the Academy, she was a four-year varsity athlete and served as Team Captain of the Women’s Swimming Team. She later earned a Master of Science in Operational Meteorology and Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School. Her postgraduate athletic achievements include selection for the World Military Championship Swim Team, with a competitive history of top-ranked performances in backstroke and freestyle events.

Professionally, Commander Baguley has been recognized with numerous military honors, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. She has deployed with two Task Force Naval Special Warfare units and recently served as officer of the deck aboard the USS George Washington, overseeing tactical weapons systems and ship maneuvering. She humbly credits the sailors and airmen she led for keeping operations running smoothly. In October 2025, she joined Vice Presidents and Members of Congress on a long list of prestigious awardees of the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Award.

One standout moment in her career was navigating the George Washington through the Straits of Magellan—an unforgettable and intense experience. Collaborating with multiple South American nations to secure safe passage through regional waters was both a tactical and diplomatic exercise in international partnership.

Her formative years were shaped by Hudsonville educators who sparked her passions and resilience. She fondly remembers Mrs. Myrmel at Bauer Elementary, whose love of reading led Commander Baguley to one of her lifelong favorites, The Phantom Tollbooth (Juster, 1961). Mr. Marc Beemer inspired

perseverance beyond academic setbacks and brought history to life through immersive simulations. And Mrs. Lauren (Munoz) Jenkins, her Spanish teacher, provided the language and cultural skills that later helped Commander Baguley navigate diverse countries during deployment.

Today, Commander Baguley resides in Bremerton, Washington, where she enjoys swimming, reading, and sunny adventures with her dog, Finley. Whether coaching or supporting water polo programs, her dedication to the water—and the values it instilled in her—remains steadfast.