Davis & Elkins College students who completed their undergraduate academic careers in the summer and fall semesters were honored in a special ceremony Tuesday. Words of praise for their perseverance and confidence in their futures were echoed in speeches in Myles Center for the Arts Senate Commons.
Keynote speaker Dr. David Turner, professor of history emeritus, commended the students for continuing their education through the pandemic.
“You had quite a bit happen with COVID while you were working to get your degree,” Turner told the students. “You could say it was like going somewhere on a trip and the road gave out. You should take special pride in this achievement because you adapted. You got there.”
Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood thanked the students for their hard work and dedication, and their families and the College faculty for guidance and support in helping the future graduates realize their dreams. He also invited the students to reflect on their experiences at D&E.
“Pause tonight to think of the experiences you have undergone, the information you have learned, the myriad of people you have encountered, the faculty that have nurtured you, the struggles you have faced and overcome, and the mountaintops to which you have ascended,” Wood said. “Reflect for just a moment and consider the transformation you have experienced that makes you a different person … a more complete person … than you were when you first applied to this College and walked on the hallowed grounds of this campus.
“Tonight, we celebrate a destination, but it is important to not forget the journey. The journey is where life is lived,” Wood said.
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and alumnus David Cutlip ’77 expressed congratulations from Trustees as the students embark on a new journey.
“At times, your journey may be challenging, and you may come to turns in the road you did not expect, but I am confident that you are prepared for a journey that will be both successful and prosperous,” Cutlip said. “And though this evening’s ceremony may soon be forgotten, I trust that your time spent here on the campus with your fellow students, our faculty and the D&E support staff will long be remembered. As someone who graduated from this very same campus nearly 45 years ago, I hope that your memories of this place are as special as those that I hold – for this is a very special place.”
Students honored at the ceremony were: Jennifer Wimer Barkley of Harman, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Heather Bennett of Ronceverte, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Shannon Bolton of Philippi, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Hailey Cogar of Belington, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Kasey Corley of Elkins, Bachelor of Arts in psychology and human services; Susie Corley of Belington, Bachelor of Arts in child and family studies and Associate in Science in education; DaLee Cramer of Reedsville, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Sarah Figueroa of Napier, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Talladaga Flanagan of Fairmont, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Tristen Furby of Belington, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Maxwell Ginsberg of Fairfax, Virginia, Bachelor of Arts in psychology and human services; Richard Glemawu of Thornton, Colorado, Bachelor of Arts in criminology; Kelsey Hart of Belington, Associate in Science in business; Angelina Horan of Lothian, Maryland, Bachelor of Science in marketing; Lauren Logana of Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Lourdes Moreno of Killeen, Texas, Bachelor of Science in sport management; Robert Mothershead of Richmond, Virginia, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Obert Mulyadi of Semarang, Indonesia, Bachelor of Arts in hospitality and tourism management; Matthew Nelson of Woodbridge, Virginia, Bachelor of Arts in criminology and Associate in Science in business; Marlana Pennington of Junior, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Bethany Riggleman of Elkins, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; McKinley Scott of Gastonia, North Carolina, Bachelor of Science in physical education pre-k-adult; Sora Sekiguchi of Chiba Prefecture, Japan, Bachelor of Arts in hospitality and tourism management; Mackenzie Smegal of Marysville, Ohio, Bachelor of Science in biology; Madeline Stevenson of Severn, Maryland, Bachelor of Arts in psychology and human services; Heather Turley of Charleston, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Erica White of Kerens, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Jamie Wine of Heaters, Bachelor of Arts in psychology and human services; and Sydney Wright of Philippi, Bachelor of Science in nursing.
Obert Mulyadi of Semarang, Indonesia, center, the highest-ranking student, receives a certificate of recognition from D&E President Chris A. Wood, left, and a wood plaque embossed with the College seal from Board of Trustees Vice Chair David Cutlip.
Davis & Elkins College Professor of History Emeritus Dr. David Turner addresses soon-to-be graduates and their guests in a special ceremony in Myles Center for the Arts.
