West Virginia University will host a special ceremony on Thursday, May 14 at 4 p.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center to honor more than 150 international students graduating this month. Graduates will bring family and friends together to celebrate their academic achievements and listen to stories of their incredible journeys.

The ceremony will begin with opening remarks from Vice President of Student Life Dr. Bill Schafer. WVU President Gordon Gee will address the graduates.

Kevin Berry, associate director and chief operating officer of the WVU Alumni Association, will welcome the graduates as future WVU alumni. They will also be awarded honorary Morgantown citizenship by Mayor Jennifer Selin.

“We are extremely proud of all the brilliant young men and women who have travelled miles away from home, made Morgantown their second home and risen to such excellence,” said Michael Wilhelm, director of the Office of International Students and Scholars.

The majority of these students are from India, China, Saudi Arabia and Spain.

The Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources will be graduating the largest number of international students from the various specialization fields. Other colleges graduating a large number of international students include the College of Business and Economics, the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and the disciplines within the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center.

“These inspiring graduates have already made a lasting impact on the WVU community,” said Schafer. “They enrich our campus in many ways and their valuable relationships will enhance our global connections and collaboration.”

Embracing diversity, and incorporating internationalization and globalization into WVU’s vision, mission and goals is an integral part of the WVU 2020 Strategic Plan.

-WVU-

ta/5/12/15

Contact: Grace Atebe, Office of International Students and Scholars
grace.atebe@mail.wvu.edu, 304.293.5937

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