Eberly News



There’s more to the American women’s movement of the 1960s and 1970s than burning bras and Gloria Steinem. 

Jessica Wilkerson, associate professor of history at West Virginia University, wants to change that narrative to its truest form: The fight for women’s rights was built on the shoulders of women of color, the working class and women in the south and Appalachia – not just white-collar urbanites.

Writing the history of feminism in the South and Appalachia

There’s more to the American women’s movement of the 1960s and 1970s than burning bras and Gloria Steinem. Jessica Wilkerson, associate professor of history, wants to change that narrative to its truest form: The fight for women’s rights was built on the shoulders of women of color, the working class and women in the south and Appalachia – not just white-collar urbanites.

A new online mathematics tutoring program is helping students navigate virtual learning. 

After months of transition and adaptation, mathematics tutoring coordinators Nicole Infante and Lori Ogden recognized an opportunity to establish a fully online tutoring program for undergraduates.

Overcoming barriers to mathematics learning

A new online mathematics tutoring program at West Virginia University is helping students navigate virtual learning.

Abigail Smith, a West Virginia University student committed to improving the future of West Virginia through public policy, has been named the University’s 25th Truman Scholar, the nation’s top graduate fellowship award for aspiring public service leaders.

Political science student named WVU’s 25th Truman Scholar

Abigail Smith, a  West Virginia University student committed to improving the future of West Virginia through public policy, has been named the University’s 25th Truman Scholar, the nation’s top graduate fellowship award for aspiring public service leaders.  

Ellen Rodrigues

Eberly College students lead gender inclusivity, anti-racism training at WVU

A gender inclusivity and anti-racism training—for students and by students—is building a stronger sense of belonging and community at WVU.

A West Virginia University biologist is working to cultivate a bumper crop of young scientists through the study of wild orchids—and the fungi they eat. 

As WVU’s latest National Science Foundation CAREER Award recipient, Assistant Professor of Biology Craig Barrett is teaming up with teachers in rural West Virginia high schools to develop student-led research projects. The projects will culminate in lesson plans accessible to high school students and teachers across the U.S., with an emphasis on closing the STEM skills and interest gap in the Mountain State. 

The projects will use parasitic orchids to study genomics, in particular how genomes evolve across space and time.

Helping new scientists bloom

Biologist Craig Barrett is working to cultivate a bumper crop of young scientists through the study of wild orchids—and the fungi they eat.

Thanks to facility renovations, research innovations and in-class lessons, West Virginia University’s C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry has received the nation’s top undergraduate safety program award in chemistry – for a second time.

The American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Health and Safety’s SafetyStratus College and University Health and Safety Award recognizes an outstanding comprehensive laboratory safety program in higher education undergraduate study.

Inspect to protect

Thanks to facility renovations, research innovations and in-class lessons, WVU's C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry has received the nation’s top undergraduate safety program award in chemistry – for a second time.

Michelle Bester

Laser focused

Growing up in rural South Africa, Michelle Bester always aspired to pursue graduate school internationally. Today, she is living that dream as a geography student studying how remote sensing technology can help prevent and control wildfires.

Matthew Witt with dog in front of Woodburn Hall

A real-life superhero, powered by social work

West Virginia University student Matthew Witt knew early in his college career that he wanted to dedicate his life to helping people navigate through challenges.

While studying abroad in Nicaragua as an undergraduate student 10 years ago, Brooke Eastman observed the country’s long history of land grabbing and clashes between industries, immigrants and indigenous communities. 

While there have been recent efforts to restore the land, the conflicts continue. She witnessed how climate change impacts poor communities disproportionately and how both humans and the environment are simultaneously exploited. That motivated her to dedicate her career to uncovering climate change solutions.

Now as a biology Ph.D. student at West Virginia University, Eastman studies how acid rain impacts forest health. She is committed to highlighting forests’ role in mitigating climate change.

Healing a wounded world

Biology Ph.D. student Brooke Eastman studies how acid rain impacts forest health. She is committed to highlighting forests’ role in mitigating climate change.

Michelle Richmond

Strategic social work

Clendenin native Michelle Richmond arrived at WVU in fall 2017 with a lofty goal: to improve the human condition for all West Virginians. Eventually, that led her to social work. Richmond is working with Legal Aid of West Virginia on its strategic plan to improve statewide community access to legal services.