To mark the culmination of their academic pursuits, more than 800 Eberly graduates crossed the stage at the WVU Coliseum Sunday afternoon during the College’s May 2024 Commencement ceremony.
Students received undergraduate and graduate degrees in a diverse range of academic disciplines, from English to neuroscience and everything in between. They were met with cheers, well wishes and the air horn from friends and family as they received their diplomas.
“College is never easy, but many of you started this journey under uniquely challenging circumstances,” President E. Gordon Gee told graduates during his Commencement address as he acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “And, for you, graduation itself may feel unique because the high school class of 2020 missed out on that culminating experience. And your college years started out — not with FallFest and fun — but with masks and Zoom and the occasional swab up your nose. So, I am thrilled to give you the celebration that you deserve.”
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) served as this year’s
Commencement speaker. During his remarks, he challenged graduates to help
ethically advance technology and promote civil discourse to meet the changing
needs of society. He also reminded graduates they can be helpful and
compassionate while also rising to meet their competition as they seek out
opportunities.
“The reality is that you have so much opportunity ahead of you and it starts right here. Each and every one of you has so much to give, to share and to contribute to your community which in turn strengthens our state and improves our nation. As you go out into the world, know that you can always come home, that all roads lead back to West Virginia,” he said.
After the graduates walked across the stage to receive their
diplomas, they were greeted by R. Gregory Dunaway, Dean of the Eberly College
of Arts and Sciences. He reminded them to take a moment to be proud of what
they have accomplished. They will be leaving West Virginia University
well-equipped for success.
“Remember that your diploma is only a symbol of what you have really gained from your time at WVU: your education, experiences, and the life lessons you have learned,” he told them. “You cannot hang these things on a wall. Instead, you carry them with you throughout your life. You build on them as you continue to learn and grow.”
Eberly College graduates embody the Mountaineer spirit, Dunaway said. This spirit is marked by collaboration, acceptance, perseverance and a desire to make the world a better place.
“On behalf of the entire Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, I’d like to say how exceedingly proud we are of your accomplishments,” Dunaway said. “We are honored that you are part of the Mountaineer family, and we are better with you having joined us.”
As the ceremony concluded and their degrees were conferred,
graduates joined one another, arm in arm, and sang Country Roads before going
their separate ways to begin a new chapter of their lives.
