Chain reaction

Wright State junior David Baugham plans to use a supply chain management degree and experience in the nonprofit sector to build a career. (Photo by Will Jones)

His experience in the Boy Scouts laid down a career path for David Baugham. In fact, the Wright State University junior was an Eagle Scout, the highest achievement or rank that can be attained in the scouting program.

That background stoked Baugham’s interest in project management. And when he arrived at Wright State, he chose to major in supply chain management, which teaches students in the Raj Soin College of Business how to innovate supply chain design and manage supplies, logistics and inventories for retailers and other organizations.

Baugham is also earning a certification in nonprofit management through Wright State’s Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, which provides training for the next generation of leaders in the social-services sector. He will earn the credential of Certified Nonprofit Professional.

Baugham is also former president of the alliance’s Wright State chapter and was appointed to the student council of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance national organization this year — raising the visibility of the campus program nationally. In January, he will present at a national conference on strategic partnerships.

“What I would like to do is combine my knowledge of supply chain with my love for the social sector and nonprofits and be able to use that to work as a project manager or director of a global relief organization such as the American Red Cross,” said Baugham, whose father founded a nonprofit called Samaritan Outreach, which helps single mothers get back on their feet.

Baugham is active in student leadership. He is former director of academic affairs for the Student Government Association and is currently speaker of the House.

“One thing about Wright State is that if you want to be involved, if you want to be a leader, you can be a leader. The opportunity is definitely there,” said Baugham. “It’s definitely given me confidence.”

Marjorie McLellan, associate professor in the Department of Urban Affairs and Geography, said Baugham is a humble guy who empowers others — and is extraordinarily busy.

“He interned with Good Samaritan Hospital, where he also works,” said McLellan. “I often wonder how he finds time to do all that he does. Perhaps it’s that supply chain management major.”

Baugham and his parents have also worked as simulation patients at Wright State’s Boonshoft School of Medicine, helping train medical students by pretending to be sick patients or their family members.

Baugham was valedictorian of his 11-student graduating class at the Dominion Academy of Dayton, a small private Christian high school that was started by Baugham’s church. He is also an accomplished guitarist who at age 13 picked up “slap guitar” fingerstyle by watching YouTube videos.

“It’s its own thing,” he said of the style. “It can be any genre. It’s percussion with the melody. It sounds like three to five guitars at the same time.”

Baugham was the 2013 winner of the “So You Think You Can Play the Schuster?” regional arts competition, outperforming more than a dozen finalists on the stage of the Dayton theater.

“It was very touching because all of my friends and everyone was there supporting me,” he recalled. “It really felt empowering.”

His prized guitar, a Taylor 910ce, which typically retails for nearly $6,000, was purchased for him by his high school friends from a woman whose late husband had played it and who wanted to hear it played again.

Baugham would later dedicate his CD “Gratitude” to her.

Baugham feels that all of his activities and hobbies are related.

“At heart I believe that each subject — from music theory to business logistics — is interconnected in nurturing a healthy mind and lifestyle,” he said.