WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Nov. 19, 2020 — Due to social distancing and pandemic restrictions, West Liberty University will celebrate its annual December commencement in a safe, virtual manner.
The virtual Fall Commencement Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020.
“Our commencement is in no way diminished by its virtual nature and I congratulate all seniors who persisted through these unusual times and earned their degrees despite COVID-19,” said Dr. Stephen Greiner, WLU president. “I wish them the very best in their future.”
Greiner will preside at the virtual ceremony as one of his last official duties of his unusual presidency which has included two unexpected delays to his planned retirement date due to COVID-19.
One-hundred and thirty-three students are expected to complete their degree requirements during the fall semester. Thirty-five summer graduates will also be part of the virtual fall ceremony.
Provost Dr. Brian Crawford and WLU’s five academic deans will recognize students graduating with special honors.
Samantha Pearl of Wheeling was awarded the honor of Commencement student speaker.
She is graduating from the College of Liberal Arts with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Psychology. The daughter of Darlene Cooke, who passed away in 2019 and Chris Cooke of Pennsylvania, Pearl plans to enter law school
“My mother always said that I have a gift for argument and I want to help people in a concrete way, so law school interests me. That’s why I combined criminal justice, psychology and philosophy in my major,” Pearl added.
Her speech will share her thoughts about her education and the fact that WLU, though a small college, has prepared her well for her next step in life. Pearl also is a graduate of West Virginia Northern Community College, class of 2019 and Wheeling Park High School, class of 2017.
Other graduating seniors with the highest GPA in each respective college are selected as the college banner carrier, these include:
- College of Arts & Communications Katherine V. Stamper, Glen Dale, W.Va.
- College of Sciences Abbey M. Cusick, Shadyside, Ohio
- West College of Business Clay M. McDonald, Valley Grove, W.Va.
- College of Education & Human Performance Larrin B. Shriver, Lost Creek, W.Va.
- College of Liberal Arts Katarina M. Donzella, Wheeling, W.Va.
- School of Professional Studies Donna M. Schuler, St. Clairsville, Ohio
The virtual ceremony will air on Topper Station, WLU’s streaming platform, and social media outlets on Dec. 5, 2020.
December graduates also will be invited back to campus of a live, in-seat ceremony in Spring 2021 if it becomes safe to do so in the spring.
West Liberty University is West Virginia’s oldest public university and today it offers more than 70 undergraduate majors, plus a growing number of graduate programs, both online and on campus. For more information, please call 1.866.937.8542 (WESTLIB), visit westliberty.edu or follow WLU on social media. To view more about WLU, please visit westliberty.edu/youtube.