Eberly News

“West Virginia has the third highest percentage of older adults in the nation. This vital collaboration with the state Department of Human Services affirms our commitment to the University’s land-grant mission in support of West Virginia families and communities,” said Deana Morrow, principal investigator.

Amy Hessl, a WVU geography professor, is exploring how tree rings reveal past extreme space weather, with support from the National Science Foundation. Using tree ring records that document historic increases in atmospheric radiocarbon from rare "Miyake events" — massive solar energetic particle events that can disrupt satellite communication — Hessl studies how such storms could impact modern technology.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jayne Anne Phillips, a West Virginia University alumna, explores themes of resilience and humanity in her writing, often inspired by her home state. Phillips’ latest novel, Night Watch, set in post-Civil War West Virginia, took nearly eight years to complete and centers on characters protecting loved ones in a time of trauma. Her journey as a writer began at WVU, where mentors like Judith Stitzel supported her growth amid the social and political turbulence of the 1970s. Phillips, reflecting on today’s social climate, believes students should have a voice in addressing complex political challenges.

West Virginia University astrophysicist Jason Ybarra announced that Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, or C/2023 A3, will brighten as it nears the sun, making it visible to the naked eye in mid-October. This comet, originating from the distant Oort Cloud, is on an 80,000-year journey and may never return due to gravitational interactions. As it approaches the sun, the comet's icy, rocky core heats up, releasing gas and dust to form a glowing tail. This rare “once-in-a-lifetime” sight could be observable under favorable conditions.

Mason Moseley, a political science professor at West Virginia University, has been awarded a Fulbright grant to study Argentina’s mining industry and its environmental impact. Starting in March 2025, he’ll work with Argentine scholars and teach at Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Inspired by protests he witnessed in Mendoza in 2019, Moseley will explore why social movements around environmental issues, like water rights, gain traction. His research includes public opinion surveys, and he plans to compare findings with environmental movements in West Virginia.

Andrew Hartsog, a WVU history graduate, dedicated his life to making history, most notably during a 23-year career with the CIA as a paramilitary officer. Starting with Team Alpha, the first U.S. group to enter Afghanistan post-9/11, Hartsog’s career was filled with high-stakes missions and clandestine operations, earning him multiple Intelligence Stars and a Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Reflecting on his journey, Hartsog credits WVU's ROTC program and his upbringing in West Virginia for shaping his passion for service and national security, values he proudly carried throughout his career and continues to honor today.

Audrianna Shifflett, from Craigsville, is a freshman majoring in neuroscience and psychology in the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and a recipient of the Andrew S. Good scholarship.

Providing support to West Virginia University student parents working toward graduation is Student Family Resources, a unit within Student Life dedicated to helping students with families achieve their higher education goals.

During WVU’s 2024 Homecoming celebration, seniors Megan Frappier and Hannah Warden were crowned Homecoming Royalty at halftime of the Kansas State game. Frappier, a criminology and political science major from New Jersey, and Warden, a health services management major from Cross Lanes, are both leaders in WVU’s diversity and service initiatives.The celebration also included alumni awards, with Tracy Schoenadel and Laura Boyd honored as Outstanding Alumni, and Paul Lewis receiving the David W. Jacobs Lifetime Service Award. Astrophysicists Duncan Lorimer and Maura McLaughlin served as grand marshals for the Homecoming Parade.

West Virginia University has recognized five outstanding seniors as the 2024 Mountaineers of Distinction, celebrating their academic achievements and dedication to volunteerism. These students, selected from over 70 nominees, include Haley Bockius, Laasya Chennuru, Mary G. Roush, Christopher J. Smith, and Dakota Swiger. Their contributions to service, leadership, and research, alongside their exemplary academic performance, earned them recognition during the WVU vs. Baylor football game. The Mountaineers of Distinction honor highlights students making significant impacts both on campus and within the community.