A Black Appalachian first-generation college student graduating with a cumulative 4.0 grade-point average, a two-term Mountaineer Mascot passionate about finding novel therapies for mental health disorders and a young entrepreneur who has worked to empower small farmers in West Virginia are among the accomplished student leaders who have been honored with West Virginia University’s most prestigious student award, the Order of Augusta.
A Black Appalachian first-generation college student graduating with a cumulative 4.0 grade-point average, a two-term Mountaineer Mascot passionate about finding novel therapies for mental health disorders and a young entrepreneur who has worked to empower small farmers in West Virginia are among the accomplished student leaders who have been honored with West Virginia University’s most prestigious student award, the Order of Augusta.
These eight students have distinguished themselves not only by their outstanding academic performance, but also their steadfast dedication to research, efforts to narrow the achievement gap for underrepresented students in their home state and to advance social justice in their communities and beyond.
“WVU’s Order of Augusta and Outstanding Senior awards honor the University’s most talented graduating seniors,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed. “Each of these students is exemplary in their own right – through their academic excellence, leadership and service. They will undoubtedly be forces for positive change in their local communities and the world."
All of the 2022 Order of Augusta scholars are members of the WVU Honors College.
“The students chosen for the Order of Augusta and as WVU Foundation Outstanding Seniors
are truly exceptional and embody the Mountaineer spirit, bringing our Mountaineer
values to life,” Dean of Students Corey Farris said.
“As the top 1% of their graduating class, their academic achievements, leadership
and service to the WVU community and beyond is unparalleled. Having successfully
navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, they have perseverance and resiliency. We look
forward to their future successes, knowing they will represent West Virginia University
well no matter where their path leads them.”
The honorees, who are among 52 students named WVU Foundation’s Outstanding Seniors, will be recognized at a drop-in event Friday, May 13, from 12:30–4:30 p.m. in the Betty Boyd Lounge of Elizabeth Moore Hall.
Ashley Eby from Wellsburg will graduate with degrees in chemistry and psychology. She has served as a Presidential Student Ambassador, the chief medical officer for the Global Medical and Dental Brigades and president of Chi Omega.
Colson Glover from Lewisburg will graduate with a degree in neuroscience. He has served as an orientation leader for the WVU Honors College, a tutor for student-athletes and the Department of Biology and a member of the Pre-Med Club.
Benjamin Harman from Weston will graduate with a degree in global supply chain management and a minor in marketing. He has served as a mentor for the WVU Honors College, student ambassador for the Chambers College of Business and Economic and is a member of Phi Beta Lambda.
Savannah Hays from Mineral Wells will graduate with a degree in biomedical engineering. She has served as a teaching assistant for the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, a STEM tutor for the TestWELL Learning Center and the vice president of the WVU Society of Women Engineers.
Myya Helm from West Union will graduate with degrees in political science and international studies and a minor in Arabic studies. She has served as the vice president of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People, a mentor for M-Power program and has held several leadership positions in the Student Government Association.
Emma Locarnini from Charles Town will graduate with degrees in music performance and biomedical laboratory diagnostics. She has served as a clarinet player in WVU Chamber Winds, the president of Mu Tau and a tutor for the School of Music.
Lillian Rhinehart from Elkins will graduate with a degree in environmental, soil and water sciences with an emphasis in assessment and reclamation and a minor in geology. She has served as a WVU Peer Advocate for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a student ambassador for the LGBTQ+ Center and a mentor for the WVU Honors College.
Allie Satterfield from Morgantown will graduate with a degree global supply chain management and minors in Spanish and political science. She has served as a Presidential Student Ambassador, senior vice president of Delta Sigma Pi and a member of the Supply Chain Management Association and Camp Kesem at WVU.
The remaining 44 WVU Outstanding Seniors are:
- Sydney Allman; Parkersburg
- Cassie Bambrick; Aston, Pennsylvania
- Lauren Barbee; Concord, North Carolina (Honors College)
- Adam Burns; North Canton, Ohio (Honors College)
- Victoria Dean; Morgantown (Honors College)
- Ashley Dibling; Perrysburg, Ohio
- Nicole Dibling; Perrysburg, Ohio (Honors College)
- Kevin Donnelly; Morgantown (Honors College)
- Hailey Durner; Nazareth, Pennsylvania
- Grant DuVall ; Bridgeport (Honors College)
- Rebecca Erwin; Wheeling (Honors College)
- Morgan Glass; Wheeling (Honors College)
- Olga Hawranick; Fairmont (Honors College)
- Brianna Hege; Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
- Derek Hockenberry; Coplay, Pennsylvania (Honors College)
- Alexandra Holsclaw; Charleston (Honors College)
- Kareem Ibrahim-Bacha; Charleston (Honors College)
- Sarah Ihlenfeld; Wheeling (Honors College)
- Darian Jack; Butler, Pennsylvania (Honors College)
- Rachel Johnson; Princeton (Honors College)
- Dalton Kendig; Hedgesville
- Kenzie Kohrs; Clermont, Florida
- Laura May; Fairmont (Honors College)
- Jaxon Miller; Hurricane (Honors College)
- Virginia Milleson; Charles Town (Honors College)
- Lauren Moore; Clarksburg (Honors College)
- Hailey Mostacciuolo; Gainesville, Virginia
- Kylie Parker; Wheeling (Honors College)
- Ali Rai; Morgantown (Honors College)
- Elizabeth Rockwell; Hopwood, Pennsylvania (Honors College)
- Kirsten Roys; Timonium, Maryland (Honors College)
- Joseph Schmidlen; Elkins
- Miranda Signorelli; Hurricane (Honors College)
- Abigail Smith; Parkersburg
- Dalton Tenney; Buckhannon
- Cara Thomas; Morgantown
- Zachary Velling; Basking Ridge, New Jersey
- Bethany Wager; Waverly (Honors College)
- Elise Weber; Charleston (Honors College)
- Katherine Whittington; Sissonville (Honors College)
- Rhyanna Wiethe; St. Clairsville, Ohio (Honors College)
- Brook Woldegabriel; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Honors College)
- Lillian Wright; Bluefield (Honors College)
- Lauren Young; Huntington (Honors College)
Established in 1995 to signify the 40th anniversary of the WVU Foundation, the Outstanding Seniors award recognizes students for their contributions and achievements in scholarship, leadership and service.
The Order of Augusta further recognizes the students’ superior scholarship, demonstrated leadership and record of community and public service. The award is named for its historical significance in the state. Augusta was among the original names considered by Legislature when the state seceded from Virginia in 1863.
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