Welcome to Spotlight, dedicated to our students with great stories to tell.
We are always looking for amazing students to spotlight for this section of the website. If you have someone you would like to nominate please complete the brief nomination form at westliberty.edu/student-life/spotlightnomination.
THE CURRENT SPOTLIGHT STUDENTS ARE…….
Stacy Sumner is a May 2014 graduate of WLU majoring in Criminal Justice. Stacy will graduate with top academic honors, as she has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her academic career. Her academic success has led to may scholarship and membership opportunities. Stacy is an Elbin Scholar, the highest academic scholarship at WLU, and also a recipient of the Corey Hewitt Scholarship Award, the Career Tech Student of the Year award, and the President’s Award. She is Vice President of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, and a member of the Chi Alpha National Honor Society, the Criminal Justice Society, and the French Honorary. In her senior year, Stacy worked with the United States Marshal Service in Wheeling, WV as her senior internship.In addition to her many academic accomplishments, Stacy has been very involved throughout campus. Stacy was a member of the WLU Softball team for four years, and was named Captain in her senior year. Stacy worked for Housing & Student Life as a Resident Assistant for two years, and then as the Hall Director for Rogers Hall during her senior year. She further gave back to the community by volunteering with her church youth group, the Salvation Army and CARTEENS.In her nomination of Stacy, Marcella Snyder, Associate Dean of Student Services stated, “Stacy has been an inspiration to other students in her dedication to her work, her academic career, and her many positive contributions to our campus community. She excels in all areas through her hard work and dedication, and always with a positive attitude and a smile.”
Zak Klemm is a Senior Secondary Education major with certifications in Biology (9 – Adult) and General Science (5 – Adult). In addition to excelling in the classroom as a full-time student, Zak also works to assist other students in their academic pursuits through the University’s Student Success Center. As a Tutor and Lab Assistant, he tutors several different classes, especially in different science classes. In addition to assisting students in their learning, Zack also assist the faculty of the College of Education as a Technology Teaching Assistant, working directly with faculty to aid in the integration and use of technology in the classroom. He assisted with integration of new iPad tools and generating a website for the College of Education to house links to various sites and resources for the students to utilize in their studies. In addition to his work on campus, Zak is active in the community working at the Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Center as an Educational Program Specialist for the last five years. Zak talks about the joy of sharing his passion and learning more to assist him in his future classroom, stating that “this job has allowed me to work with kids and adults of various ages in an informal educational setting to hope to spark an interest in learning about nature and science.” In nominating him for this award, Bridgette Dawson, Director of the Student Success Center, states “Zak’s passion for all things science is infectious. Zak is eager to share his science knowledge and always manages to explain the scientific aspect of just about any topic of conversation.”
Kylie Woyat is a Junior Graphic Design major and Advertising Communications minor at West Liberty University. Kylie, originally from Akron, OH, has consistently maintained a high GPA and has been on the Dean’s List nearly evvery semester of her career. In addition to her academic pursuits, Kylie is very involved across campus as a student leader. She is a Student Ambassador with the Admissions Office, helping to welcome perspective students and educate them about the campus. Kylie serves as a Resident Assistant with the Office of Housing & Student Life acting as a resource and peer counselor to other students and providing programming to develop community within the building and across campus.
Kylie is also a member of the soccer team, a passion that she has combined with her academic major for her summer internship. She is currently working with the Major League Soccer team, the Philadelphia Union, as a graphic design intern. Although she has many responsibilities and roles on campus, Kylie still finds time to indulge in her favorite hobbies: playing the guitar, cuddling with her dogs, posting pictures of her cousin and watching Netflix. In her nomination of Kylie, Ashley Carter, Campus Visit Coordinator, said, “Kylie is a wonderful representative of WLU when prospective students or families come to campus.”
PAST SPOTLIGHT STUDENTS INCLUDE…….
Alan Cline is Senior Music Major who will be graduating in May, 2014. During his time at West Liberty University, Alan has received several awards and honors. He was the recipient of Alpha Chi National Honors Scholarship Society National Scholarship Prize in 2013, a two-time winner of the West Liberty Concerto Competition Winner, was named as a member of the Order of the Torch. In his academic pursuits, Alan has been an Elbin Scholar and maintained a 3.97 grade point average. He has won several National Association of Teachers of Singing Awards on the state, tri-state and regional levels, including multiple first prizes. In addition to his academic work, he has participated in more than ten WLU music ensembles and participated in Hilltop Opera productions and Hilltop Players productions. For many campus ceremonies, such as Convocation and Commencement, Alan has been the featured singer performing the Alma Mater.
Upon graduation in May, Alan has decided to attend the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY as a Graduate Assistant pursuing a Masters of Music Degree in Vocal Performance. In nominating, Dr. Linda Cowan stated, “He’s just great all the way around – a great student, a wonderful and humble person, talented, motivated, and ethical and honest. He’s a joy to work with and I will miss his presence on campus.”
Luke Tacosik is a 2010 graduate of Union Local High School from Belmont, Ohio. In his academic career, Luke is working toward a major in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology and History. During his academic pursuits, Luke has maintained a 3.55 overall grade point average. Luke is very involved on campus, and has established himself as a leader and exemplary representative of West Liberty University. Luke is the President of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Society. He is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society. In addition to his academic involvements, Luke is the Programming Director and Sergeant At Arms for the Student Government Association, a Resident Assistant in Housing & Student Life, and a Student Ambassador for the Admissions Office. Luke was also a member of the track team, and was a part of 4×4 team that broke the WLU school record.
In his nomination, Admissions Counselor Travis Hinkle stated, “Luke is a humble individual who doesn’t look for recognition or praise, but does it because he’s a good person with strong values. In the world of texting and snapchatting, Luke is still somebody who will speak to you, shake your hand, and get to know people by talking to them. He truly wants the best for the University and the community as a whole.”
Nicole Sadecky is a 2011 graduate of Ravenswood High School in Ravenswood, WV. As a Biology student concentrating in the Ecology, Environmental, and Organismal Biology, Nicole has maintained a 3.33 GPA. In addition to her rigorous academic schedule, Nicole has enhanced her education as a Field and Lab Technician for Loughman Astacology Lab, completing research on the ecology and conservation of crayfish in the Appalachians. She assisted in the Crayfish survey of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the summer of 2013. After all her studies of crayfish, which you can see in the picture to the left, Nicole presented her research on the “Development of a Captive Rearing Protocol for Cambarus Crayfish” at the Academy of Southeastern Biologist in Spartanburg, SC this spring. In the future, she will expand on her research through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience here at WLU this summer.
Outside the classroom, Nicole is a leader and active member of the University community. She is a captain of the women’s volleyball team, secretary for the WLU Biology Club, and a member of the WLU Scuba Club. In her nomination, Volleyball Coach Nicole Sadecky stated, “Nikki works hard at everything she does and gets along with everyone. She also takes charge when she needs to and is a smart individual. “