Data beamed back from Mars by the NASA spacecraft MAVEN provides the first evidence that a phenomenon protecting planets from solar winds can occur in the atmospheres of worlds that lack strong magnetic fields, according to research led by West Virginia University planetary scientist Christopher Fowler.
Accepting a charge from West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson to boldly carry forward the University’s land-grant mission of service and leadership, thousands of graduates crossed the Commencement stage at the Hope Coliseum May 15-17.
On a path toward a career in environmental policy and public service, Morgantown native and West Virginia University Honors College student Colin Street has been awarded a Udall Scholarship, a national award recognizing college sophomores and juniors committed to leadership, public service and issues related to the environment.
The four West Virginia University students — Daniel Campa, of Morgantown; Colin Krisulevicz, of Salisbury, Maryland; Rebecca Ozbolt, of Akron, Ohio; and Samuel Stalnaker, of Atwater, California and Cowen — have joined the ranks of the nation’s top emerging researchers after earning National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.
Six members of the West Virginia University Class of 2026 and two December 2025 graduates have earned the Order of Augusta, the University’s most prestigious honor for academic excellence, leadership and service. The eight inductees were selected from the 52 WVU Foundation Outstanding Seniors.
A West Virginia University student with aspirations for a career in foreign service is a recipient of the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship, providing an opportunity to study a foreign language abroad this summer. Benjamin “Ben” Caltrider is a native of Charles Town who is double majoring in international studies and history.
Twenty incoming West Virginia University students from across the Mountain State who are driven by shared passions for innovation and service have been named the 2026-27 cohort of Bucklew Scholars. From this distinguished group, five have been selected as Foundation Scholars, the highest academic scholarship the University awards.
West Virginia University student and Fairmont native Rozaireo “Ro” Jones has been selected for the Truman Scholarship, one of the nation’s top graduate fellowships, for his commitment to public service, journalism and civic engagement.
For the first time, West Virginia University has four recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship — Caden Ginter from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Mason Powell from Canaan Valley, Cloe Ratliff from Morgantown and Camndon Reed from Watertown, Massachusetts — who were chosen for their strong commitment to continuing careers in research.
West Virginia University continues to operate on solid financial ground with a “stable outlook,” according to the three largest credit rating agencies. President Michael T. Benson reported positive ratings from S&P Global, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s during Friday’s (April 17) Board of Governors meeting.