WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 5, 2021 — For the second consecutive spring, the Gary E. West College of Business celebrated the excellence of its students with a pandemic-safe, virtual awards ceremony streamed live and archived by Topper Station, WLU’s streaming platform.

President W. Franklin Evans greeted guests and participants to the event in a message that stressed the value of the accomplishments of the students and congratulated them on a job well done.

“Our College of Business ranks among the best in the nation and this is just an indication of the greatness here at West Liberty University,” Evans added.

Dean Greg Chase also spoke and welcomed guests and students to the ceremony adding that it is the hope that next spring the Honors Ceremony will once again be live. 

The following 12 scholarships were awarded to these students:

• Peter M. and Jingsi Sontag Scholarship, incoming first year student Grant Vargo, West Liberty, W.Va.
• Bill Dolan Scholarship, Andrew Kent, Wheeling, W.Va.
• Robert Godfrey Scholarship, Sierra Aniballi, Greensburg, Pa. and Mary Hicks, Wellsburg, W.Va.
• Thomas J. Babb Scholarship, Anna Musap, Shelby Imer, both from Wheeling, W.Va. and Lewis Yoho, Moundsville, W.Va.
• George and Mildred Polak Scholarship, Taylor Newkirk, Bridgeport, Ohio
• Shimp Brothers incoming first year student Logan C. Burkett, Moundsville, W.Va.
• Kenneth and William Wright Scholarship, Meghan Murphy, Wheeling, W.Va.
• Zeno, Pockl, Lilly, and Copeland Accounting Scholarship, Katelyn Blair, Tarentum, Pa.
• Charles B. Davis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Michael Harriman, Joseph Haller, both from Wheeling, W.Va. and Parker Sherry, East Palestine, Ohio
• Diane Billham Gongaware Scholarship, Maceo Christmas, Fredericksburg, Va. Mackenzie Rine, Zanesville, Ohio, Pat Robinson III, Chesterfield, N.J., Oyunbolor Battsogt, Mongolia and Wisdom Jenkins, Orlando, Fla.
• Guy and Mary Ann West COB Scholarship, Jenna Mankowski, Petaluma, Ca. and Abbe Stackpole, Paden City, W.Va.
• Becker C.P.A. Review Scholarship Award, Jacob Ramsey, Aliquippa, Pa.

The following students received awards based on exceptional performance in their majors:

• Outstanding Accounting Student, Benjamin Jones, Wheeling, W.Va.
• Outstanding Computer Information Systems/Cybersecurity Student, Tucker Sebring, Caldwell, Ohio
• Outstanding Finance Student, Brendan Adams, Martins Ferry, Ohio
• Outstanding General Business Student, Baylee Snyder, Belmont, Ohio
• Outstanding Healthcare Management Student, Mackenzie Rine, Zanesville, Ohio
• Outstanding Management Student, Katie Bleifus, Wheeling, W.Va.
• Outstanding Sport Management Student, Logan Watson, New Martinsville, Ohio
• Outstanding Marketing Student, Stevie Boles, Wheeling, W.Va.
• Outstanding Tourism & Event Management Student, Rebekah Teter, Shanks, W.Va.

New this year was recognition for the work of the Tourism and Event Management class of William Koegler, a member of the COB faculty. These students coordinated the College of Business virtual Honors Program and received thanks and acknowledgement for their accomplishment and service: Noah Flowers, Austin Lis, Peyton Lis, Michael Karnell, Sarah Phillips, Rebekah Teter and Logan Watson.

For more information on the programs and admissions, please visit westliberty.edu/westbusiness.