Eberly News
Articles for the month of August 2025

WVU Higher Education in Prison Initiative selected for Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education in Prison Subgrant
The West Virginia University Higher Education in Prison Initiative (WVU HEPI), operated within Eberly College's Dept. of English, has been awarded a $30,000 subgrant from the Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education in Prisons (PA CHEP).

From fish to brains WVU neuroscience research shows how experience shapes behavior
Dr. Eric Horstick, a faculty member in West Virginia University’s Department of Biology, is advancing our understanding of how the brain adapts to the world around it. His research focuses on how environmental and sensory experiences shape neural circuits and influence behavior, uncovering fundamental principles of brain plasticity that extend across species.

Changing lives: Couple’s scholarship gifts to WVU open doors for students
In all, McKown and Meuser have contributed nearly $100,000 to WVU, providing scholarship support for nearly 30 students within the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences and the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. They have also committed to generous planned gifts that will provide additional support for scholarship and research upon their passing.

WVU partnership with MARS named finalist for national community engagement award
“MARS was created because there was a lack of STEM opportunities for youth in West Virginia. It started out locally and now has grown statewide, so the focus is to provide, through competitive robotics, hands-on learning for K-12 students throughout the state,” said Earl Scime, Oleg D. Jefimenko professor of physics and astronomy in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and MARS director. “We are able to reach these students because of the strong support of our partners, including WVU, K-12 schools, private foundations, companies like Boeing and EQT, and others who want technically trained employees. MARS is preparing our kids to meet those needs.”

Scholarships drive WVU student creators, developers and researchers on paths to success
West Virginia University scholarship recipients Ben Golden, Jayla Boyd and Reese Allen could never have imagined how philanthropic support would lead to unexpected opportunities that would shape their college careers and professional goals. As a Neil S. Bucklew Scholarship recipient, Golden found he could study more than general business; he could fine-tune his studies down to a music business and industry degree. And, through donor support, Golden discovered he could do even more.

Students being recruited for research supporting statewide economic development in evolving energy
Political science, engineering, biology, health sciences, chemistry, physics and astronomy are some of the disciplines uniting to support 13 future WVU doctoral students who will collaborate with K-12 schools and regional industry to enhance West Virginia’s economic development in evolving energy.

WVU names 2025 class of Ruby Fellows
Four promising West Virginia University doctoral students are continuing their academic journeys with support from the Ruby Scholars Graduate Fellows program. This year’s fellows are Ayers Aguiar, Abyss Halley, Damon LeMaster and Dylan Nice. Each student will receive a $34,000 stipend, a $2,000 travel grant and a tuition waiver to allow them to advance their research at WVU.

WVU Online spotlights staff member Nick Sano-Franchini from the Multidisciplinary Studies Programs
In this Staff Spotlight, we speak with Nick Sano-Franchini, Program Manager and Senior Academic Advisor for the Eberly College’s Multidisciplinary Studies Programs! With the recent launch of the new online Integrated Studies, B.I.S. program, we wanted to gain insight into Multidisciplinary Studies, the students in these programs, and Nick’s pivotal role in guiding and advising them.

Alumni from Eberly College make a difference in West Virginia with the 2025 Hazel Ruby McQuain Scholarship
The Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholarship invests in West Virginia residents who are committed to scholarly study or professional work that may potentially address the greatest needs of West Virginia and its citizens.

Eberly College students receive Gilman Scholarships for study abroad programs
Ten students from the Ebelry College of Arts and Sciences have earned Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to travel abroad this summer without financial constraints. These undergraduate students received the competitive national award funded by the U.S. State Department to participate in transformative study abroad experiences.