West Liberty, W.Va., Dec. 4, 2014 — Main Street Bank President Richard Lucas will deliver the commencement address at West Liberty University’s Fall 2014 Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, in the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC).
A native of Wellsburg, Lucas is a resident of Wheeling and graduated from West Liberty in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in accounting. He earned the Certified Public Accounting credential in 1990. He is currently president and chief executive officer of Main Street Bank, positions he has held since 2000.
Lucas also is a founding director and officer of Main Street Bank, the first new Bank started in Ohio County since 1964. He has been active in the local community and currently serves as chairman of the West Liberty University Foundation Board.
Lucas also serves on the boards of the Wheeling Chapter of CPAs, the Centre Market Commission of the City of Wheeling, the Ohio Valley Industrial Business Development Corporation (now known as RED) and the Seeing Hand Association.
He and his wife Barbara and have a son, Brice, who is a sophomore at Wheeling Park High School.
One hundred and sixty-nine students make up the fall commencement class. Justin Byers, Bunker Hill, W.Va., was selected as the graduating student speaker. Both a criminal justice and psychology major, Byers earned a 3.94 GPA and is a member of the Hilltopper Track and Cross Country team. He plans on joining the United States Navy after commencement and eventually earning his graduate degree.
The graduating student with the highest grade point average in each respective college will receive the honor of carrying the college banner and include:
- College of Arts & Communication, Jordan Connor, Wheeling
- College of Sciences, Jessica Safreed, St. Albans, W.Va.
- College of Business, Jessica Wilkerson, Moundsville, W.Va.
- College of Education, Kathleen Dancy, Moundsville, W.Va.
- College of Liberal Arts, Genette Paprocki, Mingo Junction, Ohio
- School of Professional Studies, Nancy MacPherson, Weirton, W.Va.
Doors open for seating at 9:30 a.m. and tickets are not required.
The Commencement Ceremony will be televised live on WLU-TV 14 (Comcast Channel 14).
A reception for graduates, guests and families will be held in the College Union immediately following the ceremony. Parking will be available for guests behind the ASRC.
West Liberty University is a forward-looking, four-year public university steeped in a rich heritage as West Virginia’s oldest institution of higher education. Five colleges and the School of Professional Studies offer more than 60 majors and 30 programs. Graduate programs include the Master of Arts in Education, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and the Master of Professional Studies degrees. For more information, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.