Introducing West Liberty University’s Fall Class of 2018

West Liberty University graduates changed a rainy December day into a sunny moment as they celebrated fall commencement at 11 a.m., Dec. 15. President Stephen Greiner presided over the ceremony held in the Academic, Sport and Recreation Complex.

Graduating student speaker Meagan Ford, from Silver Spring, Md., provided student reflections. She earned an accounting degree from the Gary E. West College of Business and graduated with the highest grade point average in the College of Business.

“I chose West Lib because I went to a large high school and I wanted to be at a college where I would meet people and not just be one in a crowd. West Lib provided me with many opportunities to try things that I never would have tried at a large university. My freshman year, I managed the softball team, I wrote for the school paper, and I joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes,” she said.

Ford went on to talk more about individual tasks she took on during her time as a student and her growth in her faith. She hopes to continue her path of learning and making the most of new opportunities after commencement.

“I encourage you, too, to reflect on how you have grown over your time here at West Lib. To boldly approach the doors of opportunity and continue your journey of personal growth,” she said.

President Greiner then introduced president and CEO of WesBanco Todd F. Clossin as commencement speaker and conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Clossin spoke on ethics, beginning by sharing the fact that his nickname is Boy Scout because he makes a practice of trying to do what is right according to his values, both professionally and personally. He stated that his values aren’t unique and are especially important in difficult circumstances.

“The line between right and wrong is often blurred … but when you have a solid set of ethics, life’s decisions aren’t that tough,” he said. “Many powerful people make bad decisions though due to situational ethics.”

Clossin gave examples of situational ethics and then gave a bit of advice:

“Make every professional decision as if it will be written on the front page of the newspaper. If you conduct yourself in this manner, you’ll sleep well at night and be an example to others,” he suggested.

“Don’t be tempted by the situation. Remember tough times don’t create character, they reveal it.”

He also took time to discuss the importance of emotional intelligence and suggested the students may want to read the book, “The Leadership Challenge” by Kouzes and Posner.

Clossin further added that empathy is required to be a good leader and discussed leadership styles.

One last bit of advice he had for the Class of 2018 was each of them should create their own personal mission statement, consisting of six words only. He shared his which is “enjoying the journey is the goal.”

“Congratulations. You have a first-rate education, that no one can take away from you. Keep learning … and enjoy your journey both professional and personally.”

Commencement music was provided by the WLU Concert Band under the direction of Professor Patrick Garrett with soloist Elizabeth E. Conley.

New to the ceremony was the addition of the Main Street Bank video board, a 9-foot by 16-foot screen with LED 4K (ultra high definition) technology, offering a live feed of the ceremony.

One hundred and forty graduates were included in the fall commencement class and a reception for graduates, guests and families immediately followed the ceremony and was held in the College Union.

Masters degree candidates by hometown (or country) are as follows:

WEST VIRGINIA

Cameron: Joseph R. Hooker

Follansbee: Stacie Leigh Groch, Stephanie Nicole Silver

Masontown: Patrick J. Henry Jr.

McMechen: Kayla Marie Eikleberry

Morgantown: Allison Renee Shafer

Moundsville: Brittany L. Poplawski, Rebecca Ann Stoffel

Triadelphia: Kayla Renee Henderson

Valley Grove: Amber Loew

Weirton: Corliss McGee Brown, Paul R. Buffington, Jordan Elizabeth Davidson, Molly Ann Kopa, Nicole Irene Serafine

West Liberty: Lukas O’Connor, Katlynn Elaine Talkington

Wheeling: Olayemi Anifaloyin, Louis M. Bator, Amanda S. Crews, Kristin Marie Patterson, Alex Michael Rader, Stephanie M. Stauver, Amy R. Whipkey

OHIO

Aurora: Brian Wells

East Liverpool: Kyde Lynn Kelly

Freeport: Suzanne Denise Howells

St. Clairsville: James D. Hill, Rosemarie C. Rockaway

Shadyside: Nikki Jo Butts

Toronto: Laura Michelle Thornton

Westerville: Kierra Kaezanna Simpson

PENNSYLVANIA

Clinton: Jason E. Zimmer

Houston: Tanner William Sutton

Pittsburgh: Temitope Maria Oduwaiye

INTERNATIONAL

INDIA:  Neha Handa. ISRAEL: Nur Masarwa

NIGERIA:  Adetola Jacob Adegbesan

Undergraduate degree candidates by hometown are as follows:

WEST VIRGINIA

Augusta: Tyler M. Corbin

Beech Bottom: Jamie Paulette Shaffer

Bethany: Ashley E. Sherman

Cairo: Chance Michael Haugh

Cameron: Josie Kathryn Garland, Carrie A. Paith

Dallas: Theresa A. Smith

Follansbee: Heath R. Hildreth, Raleigh B. Mason, Sasha M. Phillips, Noah Teaff, Savannah R. Wohnhas

Frankford: Heather M. Gillespie

Glendale: Marley Elizabeth Keller

Kerens: Dalton M. Bobes

Keyser: David Reid Boden

Lost Creek: Tonya LeeAnn Ables

Martinsburg: Elizabeth Evelyn Conley, Skylar T. Leaton, Sierra Angeline Wilson

Mineral Wells: Katherine Marie Adams

Moundsville: Emily Margaret Artimez, Charles Michael Bursee, William Charles Gorby, Allegra Gossett, Ross Edward Lockhart II, Danielle N. Minder, Kaleigh Danielle Sikora, Craig Allen Vega Jr., Roger Thomas Wells

New Cumberland: Jacklynn Cool, Daniel Elias Morgan, Tyler Warrick

New Martinsville: James R. Powell, Heather Renee Riley, Jacob W. Starkey

Paden City: Victoria Silver Anderson, Carlyn Danielle Slider

Triadelphia: Rebecca Lynn Beiter, Coty Knecht

Valley Grove: Tanner Joshua Och

Weirton: Ashley Boyer, Tyler Jay Conrad, Kayla Hinchee, Kendall Rae Hukill, Amy Elizabeth Marosz, Jake Robert Riccelli

Wellsburg: Caleb Isinghood, Megan L. Lees

Wheeling: Jessica A. Childers, Charli Shea Goodwin, Debra C. Grall, Jessica Haley Hopkins, Sarah L. Jones, Kayla C. Koscevic, Logan Elizabeth Kuhns, John D. Kulpa, Keren Kasongo Lubembo, Melissa Anne McCamic, Robert J. McConnell Jr., Adriana Carolina Parra Gonzalez, Emily Nicole Roe, Gerardo Arturo Sarmiento, Bethani Ann Shackelford, Sydnie Gwen Stewart, Aarian Marshell Stradwick, James R. Tankovits, Emily Jean Toland, Blake Russell Williams, Carrie Jo Yost

OHIO

Bellaire: Teresa Lynn Conners

Bridgeport: Amanda J. Barath, Kyle C. Imer, Amber Millard

Cambridge: Alyssa Y. Bartlett

Clarington: Kari Leigh Dietrich

Crooksville: Jalyn Kay Bolyard

Martins Ferry: Michael A. Lloyd, Courtney Allison Moore, Shelby Moore, Cara Pasco, Laura Elizabeth Schubert

Mingo Junction: Emily Jane Stephens

Rayland: Eric T. Williams

Richmond: Paige Winland

Shadyside: Gregory Thomas Calinger, John N. Ferrelli

St Clairsville: Logan T. Kinney, Gabrielle M. Smolenak

Wellington: Rachel Elizabeth Krems

PENNSYLVANIA

Bridgeville: Benjamin Louis Berkovitz

Pittsburgh: Brianna Renk

West Alexander: Brooke N. Dorsey

Undergraduate degree candidates from other states and countries are as follows:

FLORIDA — Royal Palm Beach: Joseph Angelo Ierulli. Rockledge: Jennifer S. Trikones

MARYLAND — Silver Spring: Meagan Riley Ford

MISSOURI — Springfield: Shannon M. McDermott

TEXAS — Austin: Callaway Morgan Barr

VIRGINIA — Alexandria: Osman Kargbo

TURKMENISTAN — Natalya (Natasha) Muhametzyanova

Summer 2018 Graduates who participated in the December ceremony:

Masters degree candidates by hometown are as follows:

WEST VIRGINIA

Follansbee: Alexis P. Richards

McMechen: Ardell Marie Mayhugh

Parkersburg: Evan J. Fordyce

Ripley: Mitch A. Smith

Wellsburg: Nina Kaye Sparks

OHIO

Belmont: Amanda Nichole Miracle

Bridgeport: Amanda Lynn Blust, Thomas Edward Blust Jr.

East Liverpool: Taryn Elizabeth Eastham

Mount Pleasant: Kalyn Malorie Kelley

Orwell: Erich M. Zirzow

Pickerington: Norman E. Honecker

Shadyside: Danielle Sue Kaluger, Chad R. Wilson

St Clairsville: Rachel Marie Blackwell, Staci Trudo

PENNSYLVANIA

Avella: Evan Donald Midler

Canonsburg: Joshua Owen Six, Joseph L. Tysk

KENTUCKY

Hillsbro: Erin Lucinda Hagan

Undergraduate degree candidates by hometown are as follows:

WEST VIRGINIA

Bethany: Kelsey Anne Nicholes

Friendly: Lisa S. Wood

Moundsville: Laurie Ellen Bumgardner, Emily Nicole Claycomb, Taylor E. Feiock, Melissa A. O’Donnell, Chrystal Ann Webb

Pennsboro: Vincent Kevin Cantrell

Wellsburg: Beth Ann Buchanan

Wheeling: Randall John Dlesk Jr., Zadok Elisha Eniss, Kyle S. Gilson, Megan Christine Griffin, Hannah Olivia Wilson

OHIO

Cleveland: Braxton Gamble

Columbus: Nathaniel Burkes III

Hannibal: Alexandria Adele Fetty, JoAnn L. Taylor

NEW YORK           

North Java: Courtney Elizabeth Carter