West Liberty, W.Va., May 1, 2023 — West Liberty University inducted 11 new members into its Liber Society at 1 p.m., Monday, May 1. The ceremony took place in the Student Leadership Center.

“This is our first induction ceremony since 2020 and we are pleased to be honoring 11 students based on academic achievement, as well as campus and community involvement,” said Dr. Melinda Kreisberg, WLU professor of biology and member of the Liber Society since its beginnings more than 10 years ago.

Music Professor Dr. Linda Cowan presented a brief explanation of the meaning and tradition of the Liber Society and Kreisberg presented the cords and certificates to the honorees.

Interim President Dr. Cathy Monteroso also congratulated the students and gave brief comments. 

2023 Inductees are:

• Kirsten Bogunovich, Alliance Ohio, a biology pre-medicine major with a minor in philosophy, expected graduation date May 2023.
• Josephine Jarrett, Wheeling W.Va., a music education major, expected graduation date May 2024.
• Emily Anderson, Glen Dale W.Va., an elementary education major with a mathematics minor grades 5-9, expected graduation date May 2024.
• Madison Ging, Bridgeport, Ohio, a 3+2 BS Human Biology/MS Physician Assistant Studies major, expected graduation date December 2023.
• Claire Valentine, Mars, Pa., a biology pre-medicine major with a Spanish minor, expected graduation date May 2023.
• Ishika Agarwal, Hyderabad, India, a marketing and general business major and Finance & Accounting minor, expected graduation May 2024.
• Paige Butler, Cameron, W.Va., Major: Elementary Education, expected graduation: May 2023.
• Lindsey Morais, Bridgeport, W.Va., a human biology major and psychology minor, expected graduation May 2023.
• Jessica Orris, Weirton, W.Va., a chemistry major and mathematics minor, expected graduation May 2023.
• Braidyn Reed, Lancaster Ohio, a marketing major, expected graduation May 2023.
• Veronica Huggins, Waverly, W.Va., a Teaching English; Global Education major (Community Education Program), expected graduation date May 2025.

The Liber Society was created to serve as the women’s highest ranking honorary society – its founding precepts are rooted in the Torch Society founded in 1932 as the men’s honorary society.

“Membership in the society recognizes excellence. It implies a degree of responsibility and a commitment to the pursuit of knowledge,” according to Kreisberg.

Members of the organization include both female members of the faculty and WLU’s highest quality female students.

Faculty and students are chosen based upon a demonstration of excellence and leadership in three areas: the classroom (academics); the campus (activities); and the community (service).

The word Liber means book in Greek and represents the quest for knowledge. It is also a nod to the prominent book image incorporated into the design of the University’s seal and found on the exterior plaster of Main Hall.