Nearly 3,000 West Virginia University graduates received the gift of a college degree today (Dec. 18) at the WVU Coliseum during the December commencement ceremony.

But the gift that they take with them isn’t limited to a degree. It’s the Mountaineer spirit that they’ve acquired during their time at WVU that the institution’s leadership encouraged them to use as thinkers and practitioners to change the world.

President Gordon Gee congratulated the graduates on making their mark at WVU and encouraged them to take their gift of passion, acquired at the University, to ignite change and make their mark in their respective fields and new homes.

“The Mountaineer passion is a powerful force,” Gee said. “You learn with that passion that you can make a home and make your mark anywhere in the world.”

The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Darko Velichkovski, encouraged the graduates to take the gift of courage that they used to carve their success at WVU to help others discover their own courage to achieve their own successes and dreams.

“I believe each one of us has our own miracles and our own somehows,” said Velichkovski, an acclaimed international music performer and producer and director of the music industry program in the College of Creative Arts. “Share that gift with others: go into the world and be the miracle and the somehow to somebody else.”

“That’s being a true Mountaineer to the world.”

A special group of College of Business and Economics graduates has already shared its gift of courage with the world. A cohort of nine online MBA students from Camp Dawson, West Virginia Army National Guard, not only received advanced degrees from a nationally ranked program, but did so for the first time as a group from the military training facility.

“I wouldn’t trade the education or the experience I’ve gained for anything,” Sergeant First Class Mike Cochran said. “Perhaps more importantly, the bond that I’ve formed with my teammates will last a lifetime, and without going through the program, I would never have had this.”

As all of today’s graduates enter the world, Provost Joyce McConnell reminded them that they are doing so equipped with the most powerful gift of all.

“Education is truly a gift,” said McConnell. “And it’s a gift that no one can take away from you.”

  • 31598 S0054 xx 72dpi

    31598 S0054 xx 72dpi

    31598 S0054 xx 72dpi

  • 31598 S0245 xx72dpi

    31598 S0245 xx72dpi

    31958_December 2015 Graduation, photo greg ellis

  • 31598 S0674 xx 72dpi

    31598 S0674 xx 72dpi

    31598 S0674 xx 72dpi

  • 31599 S 0271 XX 72

    31599 S 0271 XX 72

    Darko Velichkovski, director of the Music Industry program in WVU's College of Creative Arts performs during his speech to students at graduation Friday, Dec. 18, 2015. Photo Brian Persinger

  • Saba Ashfaq. Photo Brian Persinger

    31599 S 0339 XX 72

    Saba Ashfaq. Photo Brian Persinger

  • 31600s0004 72

    31600s0004 72

    Photo Lindsey Cook

  • 31600s0005 72

    31600s0005 72

    31600s0005 72

  • 31601 S 0211 72dpi

    31601 S 0211 72dpi

    31601 S 0211 72dpi

  • 31601 S 0305 72 dpi

    31601 S 0305 72 dpi

    31601 S 0305 72 dpi

-WVU-

hr/12/18/15

CONTACT: University Relations/News
304.293.6997

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.