Thirty of West Virginia University’s top graduating seniors will be honored with the WVU Foundation Outstanding Senior Award during a Weekend of Honors Convocation at 7 p.m. Friday, April 16, in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.
This year’s recipients were selected based on academic achievement, honors and awards, public service, student leadership, collegiate work experience, references and an essay on the value of the WVU undergraduate experience.
The 2004 Outstanding Seniors are: Alison Behling, an international studies/German and environmental geosciences major from Morgantown; Jan Boyles, a news-editorial major from Fairmont; Joanie Chambers, a speech pathology and audiology major from Independence; Robert Chenoweth, an economics major from Elkins; Charles Clarke, a biology major from Gallipolis, Ohio; Justin Earley, a political science and sociology major from Moundsville; Meghan Fox, a business administration major from Uniontown, Pa.; Brandi Goss, a nursing major from Yeagertown, Pa.; Raven Honsaker, a mechanical and aerospace engineering major from Martinsburg; Sandra Huff, an accounting and Spanish major from Chester; Erin Kalbaugh, a mathematics/secondary education major from Keyser; Sarah Knott, a psychology major from Shenandoah Junction; Kane Maiers, a biology major from Keyser; Jonathan Marshall, a political science major from Grafton; and Jennifer Mills, an industrial engineering major from Morgantown.
Other Outstanding Seniors: Bethanie Morris, a child development and family studies major from Core; Blaire Nuzum, an international studies and journalism major from Fairmont; Laura Paugh, an environmental protection major from Baltimore; Aaron Peoples, a chemistry major from Canonsburg, Pa.; Aaron Phillips, a chemistry major from Parkersburg; Jason Pizatella, a political science major from Fairmont; Travis Randolph, an athletic training major from Jane Lew; Natalie Sanders, an animal and veterinary science major from Kingwood; Hillori Schenker, a history major from North East, Pa.; Ida Stewart, an English and political science major from Morgantown; Spencer Stiles, a forensic and investigative sciences major from Wana; Adam Stump, a sociology/anthropology major from West Mifflin, Pa.; Jeremy Toler, a biochemistry major from Mullens; Jennifer Wiseman, a forensic and investigative sciences major from Fayetteville; and Kaustubh Yadwadkar, a chemistry major from Charleston.
WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. will present the selected students with a special certificate at the convocation, and their names also will be included on a permanent register in the Mountainlair.
Eight of these 30 top seniors will also be awarded the Order of Augusta, the University’s most prestigious student honor. The Order of Augusta was established by the WVU Foundation in 1995 to recognize a highly select group of students based on their superior scholarship, demonstrated leadership and record of public service.
The Order of Augusta was named for its historical significance in the state. Augusta was among the original names considered by the Legislature when the state seceded from Virginia in 1863. Also, the District of Augusta was the original name for a large area in what is now the northern region of West Virginia, including Monongalia County.
Family, friends and the general public are invited to the April 16 ceremony which honors the achievements of faculty, staff, students and alumni. No reservations are required. A reception will follow.