WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 3, 2023 — West Liberty University graduating seniors Mariah Cashbaugh and Claire Valentine are the student speakers for West Liberty University’s Spring Commencement, which will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 6, 2023, in the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC).
Approximately 346 students are expected to graduate and Interim President Dr. Cathy Monteroso will confer the degrees. Banking and Investment Leader Denise M. Penz will be the keynote Commencement speaker.
Cashbaugh is the child of Sonny and Stacie Cashbaugh and is from Canfield, Ohio. Graduating from College of Sciences, Cashbaugh is a full-ride Elbin Scholarship recipient.
Cashbaugh is vice president of the biology club and was named Outstanding Biomedical Student for 2023.
Cashbaugh previously served as a peer tutor for two years and was accepted into Purdue University (Indiana) doctoral program for plant pathology. Cashbaugh plans on becoming a college professor.
Valentine is the daughter of Kary and Claudine Valentine and is from Mars, Pa. She is graduating from the College of Sciences as a full-ride Elbin Scholarship recipient and earned a 4.0 GPA.
Valentine began her college career as a member of the women’s soccer team, playing for two years. She also served as a tutor for three years and was named the Peer Tutor of the Year twice by faculty and administrators.
Valentine is a chapter officer of the American Medical Student Association and is a member of the WLU Biology Club. She also served on the Academic Appeals Committee, and was employed as a student ambassador in the Admissions Office.
She has been accepted into the Doctor of Optometry program at Ohio State University, Columbus.
The student speaker(s) is an honor that rotates among WLU’s four colleges. After that honor is awarded, the graduating student(s) with the highest-grade point average in each respective college carries the banner. During the spring ceremony, the following students will serve as banner carriers:
Graduate Studies – Shannon Davis, Lubbock, Texas
College of Sciences – Cara Campbell, Wheeling and Jordyn Hughes, Moundsville
Gary E. West College of Business – Sierra Aniballi, Greensburg, Pa., Gemma Cliffe, Auckland, NZ; Tucker Sebring, Caldwell, Ohio and Parker Sherry, East Palestine, Ohio
College of Education and Human Performance – Madison Young, Cadiz, Ohio
College of Liberal and Creative Arts – Kali Adams, Pittsburgh, Pa., Madison Cavicchia, Wheeling, Jessica Dobbins, Toronto, Ohio and Ashton Wronikowski, Coldwater, Mich.
Doors open for seating at 9:30 a.m.
Commencement ceremonies will be streamed live on Topper Station and will be broadcast live on social media for those unable to attend.
Each graduate received five tickets for guests and those unable to obtain a ticket for the ceremony are invited to attend the live stream of the ceremony in Kelly Theater.
A reception for graduates, guests and families will be held in the Bear’s Den (cafeteria) immediately following the ceremony. Parking will be available for guests behind the ASRC.