Introducing West Liberty University’s Fall Class of 2018 Provided December 15, 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 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment.