Eberly News

Articles for the month of May 2020

A new West Virginia University research collaborative is working to address the many challenging conditions facing the state and Appalachia. 

In the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative for a Safe and Healthy Society, researchers from a wide range of disciplines are working together with partners across campus to seek solutions to these pressing issues.

The collaborative brings together faculty, staff and students who work in communities around the state in areas like community development, substance use prevention and treatment, drug policy, healthcare policy, medical sociology and crime.

Planting seeds for a safe and healthy society

A new WVU research collaborative is working to address the many challenging conditions facing the state and Appalachia. In the Eberly College's Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative for a Safe and Healthy Society, researchers from a wide range of disciplines are working together with partners across campus to seek solutions to these pressing issues.

Though she started her career at West Virginia University as a chemical engineering major, senior Soofia Lateef decided to stick around for an extra year to complete her dual-degree in philosophy. During her five years at WVU, Lateef has learned to take advantage of all the opportunities available to her. She cites Professor David Cerbone’s PHIL 355 course, Existentialism, as one of her most challenging. After graduation, she is headed to University of California, Riverside to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy.

Meet the Grads: Soofia Lateef

BA Philosophy ’20 and BS Chemical Engineering, ’20

Princeton native Dylan Vest landed on his majors by accident. He was supposed to take Spanish as an eighth grader, but a scheduling fluke placed him in French instead. His journey with the language has led him to a career as a diplomat with many stops around the world along the way.

While a WVU student, Vest traveled to nine countries through study abroad and Model United Nations. He spent the 2018-2019 academic year studying at Sciences Po in Grenoble, France. 

After graduating this May, Vest will begin his journey toward becoming an ambassador as a 2020 Thomas R. Pickering Fellow. This prestigious fellowship prepares recent college grads for diplomatic careers. The experience includes a domestic internship with the U.S. State Department, an internship with a U.S. embassy overseas and a career in the U.S. Foreign Service after completing his master’s degree.

Meet the Grads: Dylan Vest

BA Political Science and French, '20

Eight Eberly College students inducted into Order of Augusta

Students who have exceeded classroom boundaries and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to solving complex global challenges and serving others—among them a distance learner with autism, a gymnast and an alternate Mountaineer Mascot—will receive WVU's highest student honor, the Order of Augusta.

Megan Lauris

Biochemistry student honored by Council on Undergraduate Research

Megan Lauris, a senior biochemistry major from Toronto, Ohio, was one of just 60 students selected by the Council on Undergraduate Research to participate in the 24th annual Posters on the Hill.

Michael Germana

English professor named 2019-2020 Benedum Distinguished Scholar

Professor of English Michael Germana has been named a 2019-2020 Benedum Distinguished Scholar in recognition of the high caliber of his research and scholarly activity.