Major: Communication Studies
Minor: Psychology
Hometown: Ellicott City Maryland
My first ever tailgate
The person who has had the biggest impact on my college experience was Dr. Myers. They were a constant source of support and guidance. Whether it was offering advice on academic matters or career paths, I always felt like they made time to help me.
My best advice for incoming students would be to take time to build meaningful connections both inside and outside the classroom. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and get involved in activities. And take care of yourself- learn how to balance academic pressure with self-care.
What I will miss about WVU is the sense of community and the friendships I've built.
Best advice for incoming students:
WVU is what you make it. If you put yourself out there, ask questions, and seek out opportunities, this place can shape you in ways you never expected. Do not be afraid to take up space. You belong here just as much as anyone else.
What will you miss most about WVU? I will miss the challenge, not just academically, but personally. WVU brings together people from all walks of life, and being exposed to different perspectives helped me grow in ways I never anticipated. I will miss those deep conversations and the sense of community that comes with them.
What is your favorite memory from your time at WVU?
Singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” at Milan Puskar Stadium along with thousands of students and football fans after a WVU win versus Pitt in Fall 2024.
Which person at WVU has had the biggest impact on your college experience? How has that person helped you?
My undergraduate research mentor here at WVU has had the largest impact on my overall college experience. Although I am profoundly impressed with her intelligence, I have learned just as much from her compassion, empathy, selflessness, and respect for others. Further, as a fellow woman in STEM, she has demonstrated how to remain considerate and professional but also assertive and confident in navigating the academic world. The qualities she has exemplified during our time working together serve as an instrumental component of the foundation on which I build my professional life.
As a soon-to-be graduate, what is your best advice for incoming students?
Keep a balance between work and leisure to achieve your goals while still making memories! This requires developing an effective routine early on and prioritizing the opportunities that are most meaningful to you and your unique journey.
What will you miss most about WVU?
I will sincerely miss each and every professor and classmate that I’ve developed relationships with over the past four years. These individuals have pushed me to excel in all of my endeavors and are the cornerstone of the committed and hard-working scientific community here at WVU.
Name: Hayley Bockius
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Medical Humanities and Health Studies
Hometown: Canonsburg, PA
What is your favorite memory from your time at WVU?
My favorite memory was in the fall semester of my senior year when I was invited to go on the field at Milan Puskar Stadium during the Baylor game as a Mountaineer of Distinction finalist. It was a surreal experience to be surrounded by family and friends while finding out I had won! It was like my entire undergraduate experience was summed up by one nostalgic moment as game days have been my favorite event in college since my first year.
Which person at WVU has had the biggest impact on your college experience? How has that person helped you?
Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy has had the largest impact on my college experience. He has served as my research mentor for the past three years and has helped me find experiences that solidified what I wanted for my career. Dr. Ramamurthy supported me wholeheartedly evidenced by multiple letters of recommendation that helped me to get accepted into roles I've dreamed of. He's shown me how to be confident in my knowledge and abilities and how to best communicate across broad audiences. I am forever grateful for his mentorship.
As a soon-to-be graduate, what is your best advice for incoming students?
Get involved! There are so many opportunities on campus where you can make such a large school feel small. Finding people to study, grab lunch, or unwind with is so helpful when navigating college. Joining clubs or talking to the person next to you in class will help you find students of similar interests who might end up being your best friends!
What will you miss most about WVU?
As an incoming medical student at WVU, I will not be leaving quite yet. However, I know I would miss the incredible sense of community and belonging that I felt in all sectors of my undergraduate experience. The pride West Virginians feel for one another is tangible and extends to all students at WVU regardless of where you come from or what your background is. Everyone belongs here.
Name: Nya Feinstein
Major: Data Science, International Studies, Russian Studies
Minor: French (Certificate in Global Competency)
Hometown: Lancaster, Ohio
What is your favorite memory from your time at WVU?
Going to random club meetings and departmental lectures, and learning about new
and unexpected topics!
Which person at WVU has had the biggest impact on your college experience? How
has that person helped you?
It is nearly impossible to choose only one person, but I realized that there
is a common trend among those in mind who made the biggest impact: Thank you
to the faculty members who took the time to give advice, listen to ideas, and
everything in between. Throughout the joys and challenges of undergraduate years,
there is nothing more important than support, encouragement, and a good conversation.
As a soon-to-be graduate, what is your best advice for incoming students?
Three things: Ask questions! Curiosity is one of the most (I would even
say the most) important part of getting an education. Don't underestimate
the importance of work-life balance! You, and your health and happiness, come
first. Do what you're passionate about. From someone who changed majors
junior year (yes, that's true!), it is always possible.
What will you miss most about WVU?
Without a doubt, I will miss my community of peers and professors. Though, I
know that - no matter where life takes me - I will always be a mountaineer!
Name: Laiklyn Luther
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Fishertown, Pennsylvania
What is your favorite memory from your time at WVU?
Each semester around midnight on the Monday of finals week, my best friend
Gracie and I went to Fuel up for Finals at the Mountainlair to get free breakfast.
Which person at WVU has had the biggest impact on your college experience? How has that person helped you?
My research mentor, Dr. Kathleen Morrison, has fostered an environment that has allowed me to realize my full potential as both a student and researcher. In her lab, we focus on the critical topic of women’s health, particularly why women are more susceptible to developing certain neuropsychiatric disorders. With the help of her mentorship, I was able to publish a first-author paper. This is one of my proudest achievements, but the most meaningful outcome of my time in the lab is the confidence and resilience I have developed – two traits that will guide me throughout my entire career.
As a soon-to-be graduate, what is your best advice for incoming students?
Do your best to avoid making decisions based on fear or anxiety. As difficult
as this can be, I have learned that it is often unfamiliar or intimidating
experiences that provide the best opportunity to grow as an individual.
What will you miss most about WVU?
This fall, I will be pursuing a PhD in behavioral neuroscience at WVU, so I
am excited to experience the university as a graduate student. With that being
said, I will miss presenting at the WVU Undergraduate symposiums. These experiences
are what made me realize how important it is to be able to effectively communicate
my science, and that doing so is one of my favorite parts of research.
Name: Ayden Cook
Majors: Physics, Mathematics
Minor: Philosophy
Hometown: Oak Hill, WV
What is your favorite memory from your time at WVU?
Monday Night Lights my freshman year.
Which person at WVU has had the biggest impact on your college experience? How
has that person helped you?
Although not a single person, my family had a large impact on me throughout
my four years here. They were very supportive the entire time and constantly
gave me more motivation.
As a soon-to-be graduate, what is your best advice for incoming students?
One of the most important skills you can learn for college is time management.
If you don't manage your time properly you can slip behind, and it can be very
hard to catch back up.
What will you miss most about WVU?
I will miss exploring campus and always discovering new things to do.
Name: Bailey South
Major: Anthropology, History
Minor: Art History, Arts Management
Hometown: Jamestown, NY
What is your favorite memory from your time at WVU?
My favorite memory from my time at WVU has been the time I have spent working
on the education team at the Art Museum of WVU. Applying the skills I have
learned in my coursework across disciplines to a museum context has been invaluable.
I have discovered an interest in education and enjoy sharing all that the art
museum has to offer with the community. I have had so much fun working with
my amazing coworkers and have further cemented my interest in pursuing a career
in the museum field.
Which person at WVU has had the biggest impact on your college experience? How
has that person helped you?
The person who has had the greatest impact on my college experience has been
Dr. Heather Harris. She has been such an integral part of my undergraduate
experience, whether it be through her classes, the practicum experience she
provided, or in her role as my supervisor at the Art Museum of WVU. She has
been such an encouraging voice who has always aided me in my pursuit of success.
As a soon-to-be graduate, what is your best advice for incoming students?
My advice for incoming students would be to take advantage of every opportunity.
If an extracurricular activity that sounds interesting comes your way, say
yes! Join clubs, participate in sports, work on campus, or anything else that
will deepen your level of engagement on campus. My extracurricular experiences
have been some of the most meaningful in my time at WVU, and have been a great
complement to my coursework.
What will you miss most about WVU?
I will miss the supportive atmosphere of WVU. I have been able to explore and
experience classes on a variety of topics and have been able to learn
for the sake of learning, something which I deeply enjoy. Every professor that
I have had, especially those in Eberly, have been wonderful to learn from and
have been supportive of my academic goals. While I will miss WVU once I graduate,
I will be joining my mother and uncle as proud Mountaineer alumni, and will
remember to keep singing Country Roads.
Name: Kristen Bailey
Major field: PhD History (19th Century US)
Minor fields: Appalachian History, Public History, World History
Hometown: Weston WV
What is your favorite memory from your time at WVU?
While it was also initially the scariest moment, working with students in
the classroom on individual writing projects was the most rewarding and greatest
memory. WVU students are incredibly ambitious and creative – helping them take
their ideas from one small nugget to a paper and presentation using good historic
methodology was so meaningful.
Which person at WVU has had the biggest impact on your college experience? How
has that person helped you?
The biggest impact on my college experience came from Director of Public History,
Dr. Melissa Bingmann. Her constant work to locate relevant public history internships
and opportunities for graduate students was critical to me. I had opportunities
to work on an amazing project in Pocahontas County, WV that lasted several
semesters and introduced me to people I continue to work with on other projects.
As a soon-to-be graduate, what is your best advice for incoming students?
Take advantage of the opportunities WVU provides. Departments, colleges, and
the university as a whole offer an incredible array of chances to become involved
– you never know who you might meet and how those opportunities can help structure
your professional life.
What will you miss most about WVU?
The camaraderie in my department! Our program, while highly competitive, makes a point to foster collegial interaction. Sharing research ideas and supporting each other through our work made life so much easier!
