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West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Alumni Awards

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Awards celebrate and honor distinguished alumni through three prestigious awards. These awards reflect the dedication, innovation, and excellence that define the Eberly College community, inspiring future generations to follow in their footsteps.

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences established this recognition program to acknowledge and celebrate living Eberly College alumni who graduated 20 or more years ago and are making important contributions in their community and within their professions. The award seeks to honor successful alumni for their professional and business life, their civic leadership and social welfare activities, and their intellectual and cultural pursuits. 

Rising Star Award

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences established this recognition program to honor Eberly College alumni who graduated within the last 10 years and who show great promise in their careers. Professional contributions should represent the values of WVU and the Eberly College, including leadership, innovation and dedication.

Outstanding Alumni Award

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences established this award to allow its departments and programs to select alumni from the submitted nominations to be honored for the significant contributions they are making to their professions.


2025 Eberly College Alumni Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Award

Joshua O. Mali
Founder and CEO, Mali Enterprises
Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Paul Phillips Eye & Surgery Center

Nikki Bowman Mills
President
New South Media, Inc.

Brian R. Raber
Vice President (retired)
Merrick & Company 

Transient C. Taylor
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Upbound Group

Rising Star Award

Jennifer L. Wells
Director of Economic Justice
Community Change

Outstanding Alumni Award

Biology
Annelee C. Boyle
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health
Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Chemistry
William E. Bucy
Senior Engineer (Retired)
IBM Corporation

English
Charles T. Hannon
Professor and Chair, Computing and Information Studies
Washington & Jefferson College 

History
Joel Christenson
Associate Professor of History, Virginia Military Institute
Director, John A. Adams ’71 Center for Military History & Strategic Analysis

Philosophy
Allison M. Lastinger
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine and Department of Orthopaedics
Division Chief, Infectious Diseases
WVU School of Medicine

Political Science
Andrew N. Richardson
Founder and CEO
Andy Richardson Group

Psychology
John P. Elder
Albert Johnson Distinguished Professor of Public Health
San Diego State University

Regents
James H. Merrill
Captain (retired), West Virginia State Police
CEO and Owner, Hasten Services LLC

Social Work
Shelly A. Wiechelt
Associate Dean and Chair, School of Social Work
University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Sociology and Anthropology
Todd A. Sergi
Principal, Capital Development Partners
Vice President, Single Tenant Retail


View Past Award Winners