WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 17, 2016 — West Liberty University students selected Abby Reeves of Wheeling, W.Va. and Jay Billiter of Paden City, W.Va., as Homecoming Queen and King 2016.
The official crowning took place in a festive ceremony that took place at halftime during the noon, Oct. 15 Homecoming football game against the University of Virginia at Wise. The weather cooperated and provided a perfect background for students, alumni and guests at West Family Stadium.
Reeves represented Chi Omega sorority and is majoring in English education and minoring in social studies education. A junior, she also serves as the secretary and the director of programming for her sorority and is a member of the Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the international honor society in education.
She is the daughter of Terri and David Reeves of Wheeling.
“It means a lot to me that the student body voted for me to be queen. The game was a lot of fun and I was surprised to be selected as queen. The whole Homecoming week was an awesome experience that I’ll never forget,” she said.
Reeves plans to go on to graduate school after commencement and enter the field of professional education.
An athletic training major, Billiter represented Phi Delta Theta. Also a resident assistant, he is a vice president of the athletic training club and is a member of the Alpha and Omega Men’s Bible Study. He is a senior, expecting to graduate in May 2017. Eventually he hopes to go onto physical therapy graduate school, though he may first work or enter the military post graduation.
“I am greatly honored and want to thank everyone who voted for me, especially the Beta Rho Epsilon and Phi Delta Theta students,” Billiter said.
He is the son of Myndi and Jason Moser.
Voting took place on Oct. 12 as students marked their ballots in the College Union. The entire election and crowning was coordinated by the Student Government Association.
Another highlight of the 2016 Homecoming is the location of the student dance, which was held for the first time on campus in the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC).
Also honored at the Homecoming game were the 2016 Wall of Honor alumni: former Wheeling mayor Andy McKenzie, English professor Dr. Christina Fisanick Greer and Wellsburg dentist Dr. David Edwards.
“Homecoming is something that alumni, students and families look forward to every year. It’s a special time to show our pride in the great traditions of the hilltop and West Liberty University,” said Dr. Stephen Greiner, WLU president.
The game drew a crowd of thousands of student families and friends, alumni and football fans from far and wide and included tailgating, children and family activities and a celebration of the new G-Top Restaurant, located across Rt. 88 from the campus main gate.
For more information on alumni events, please visit westliberty.edu/alumni. For complete information on Hilltopper Athletics, scores and recaps, visit hilltoppersports.com.