Mary Roush
Mary Roush from Mason will graduate with a degree in advertising and public relations and a minor in sport communication. The 68th Mountaineer mascot has excelled academically while actively participating in extracurricular activities, community service, research and internship opportunities.
With a vision to inspire young girls across generations, she followed her dream to become the first freshman Mountaineer and third woman in nine decades to hold the mascot title. In this role, Roush made nearly 450 appearances while attending fairs, visiting schools and other events across the country.
As a community engaged research assistant in Public Interest Communication Research in the Reed School of Media and Communications, she studied the use of communication to address social issues and create positive change across the state of West Virginia.
Roush also conducted community-engaged research focused on Veterans using a social and behavioral science lens, and worked with faculty to create content to foster digital communities and a sense of belonging among Veterans through statewide radio shows, podcasts and social media platforms.
Since her freshman year, she has worked with the WVU Athletics video crew to help create video board shows at athletic events and freelanced with ESPN+ to broadcast Mountaineer sports to a national audience.
During her time as a public relations summer intern with the West Virginia Department of Tourism, Roush collaborated on statewide initiatives to recruit visitors to the Mountain State. Additionally, she had the opportunity to create an audio walking tour and scavenger hunt for the West Virginia State Capitol Complex showcasing the history, culture and architecture of the grounds.
Roush also served as a member of the Mountaineer Fentanyl Education Task Force, communications coordinator for the Student Government Association and admissions ambassador for Undergraduate Admissions.
Named a 2024 Mountaineer of Distinction in recognition of her exemplary academic achievement and extracurricular involvement, she said she feels immense gratitude for the diverse opportunities afforded to her by the University both inside and outside of the classroom.
She is the recipient of the 2025 College of Creative Arts and Media Collaborative Mentored Research and Creative Activity Award and 2022 National Mascot Hall of Fame — Best Live Human Mascot award.
Roush will pursue a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications at WVU in the fall.