WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Dec. 6, 2022 — West Liberty University senior Austin Pyles has earned the honor of being the student speaker at Fall Commencement 2022 on Saturday, Dec. 10.

One hundred and sixty students are expected to graduate and summer graduates also are invited to participate in the fall ceremony. President W. Franklin Evans will confer the degrees.

The ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. in the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC). Tickets are required for the ceremony and may be picked up from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., through Dec. 9 and from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Commencement Day in the Enrollment Center, located in Shaw Hall.

Pyles is from New Martinsville, W.Va. and is graduating from the College of Education and Human Performance. He earned the highest GPA of any graduate of this college and is graduating summa cum laude with a 3.92 GPA.

“I am very grateful to have the academic honor of speaking for all West Liberty fall graduates,” said Pyles, who is earning a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology degree.

During his time on the Hilltop campus, he was a member of the Health and Human Performance Club and a member of the Honors College. He also was inducted into Alpha Chi National College Honor Society.

His future plans are to go onto graduate school and earn a master’s degree in Physical Therapy. He is the son of April and Keith Pyles of New Martinsville.  

The graduating student speaker duties rotate among WLU’s four colleges. Graduating seniors with the highest GPA in each respective college also have the honor of carrying the college banner.

The following students will serve as banner carriers:

• College of Business, Emily Tork, Wheeling, W.Va.
• College of Education & Human Performance, Sydney Yoho, Woodsfield, Ohio
• College of Sciences, Aurora Irvin, Caldwell, Ohio
• College of Liberal and Creative Arts, Emma Gragan, Burgettstown, Pa. and Alana Milewsky, Steubenville, Ohio
• Graduate Studies, Erin Allison, Miami, Fla.

The audience will also hear from the keynote commencement speaker, Arlene Brantley, a Google Strategic Account Executive, and member of the WLU Board of Governors.

Doors open for seating at 9:30 a.m.

The Commencement ceremonies will be streamed live on Topper Station and will be broadcast live on social media for those unable to attend. 

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.