WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty University will celebrate its Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 13, at 11 a.m. inside the Academic, Sports, and Recreation Complex (ASRC) on the University’s main campus in West Liberty.
The ceremony will recognize students completing degree requirements across undergraduate and graduate programs. More than 120 graduates are expected to receive their degrees, representing majors across the College of Sciences, Gary E. West College of Business, College of Education & Human Performance, and the College of Liberal & Creative Arts, as well as master’s-level programs in education, business, biology, criminology, and art therapy.
Commencement Speaker & Honorary Degree
Tom Cervone, managing director of the Clarence Brown Theatre at the University of Tennessee, will deliver the commencement address. Cervone, a 1990 graduate of West Liberty University, has been a prominent leader in the arts and culture community for more than three decades and currently serves on the WLU Board of Trustees. West Liberty University will present Cervone with an honorary degree during the ceremony in recognition of his leadership and contributions to theater, arts administration, and the West Virginia community.
Student Speaker
The Fall 2025 student speaker is Riley McIntyre, a History and Geography & Planning double major from Moundsville, W.Va. An Elbin Scholar graduating Summa Cum Laude, McIntyre has completed archival research work at the National American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Museum and contributed to digital mapping projects with Oglebay Park in Wheeling. She plans to pursue graduate study in public history with a career goal of becoming a museum curator.
President Tim Borchers will congratulate graduates and reflect on the accomplishments of the fall class.
“Commencement is a moment of celebration, reflection, and anticipation,” Borchers said. “Our graduates have shown tremendous dedication in their studies and community involvement. We are proud to honor their achievements and look forward to the impact they will make across West Virginia and beyond as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”
The ceremony is open to graduates and their invited guests. Media are invited to attend and cover the event. Livestream access will be available on West Liberty University’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Topper Station for family members and supporters unable to attend in person.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students’ aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. To apply or learn more about West Liberty University, visit westliberty.edu.
Media Contact:
Rhone Thrash
West Liberty University
rhone.thrash@westliberty.edu
