Eberly News

Eight remarkable members of the West Virginia University Class of 2025 who have distinguished themselves through academic excellence and by making significant contributions on campus, across the Mountain State and beyond have been honored with the Order of Augusta, the most prestigious University student award.

Three West Virginia University students have been awarded the coveted Goldwater Scholarship, the nation’s premier undergraduate scholarship in mathematics, engineering and natural sciences which supports students with strong commitments to research careers.

Juniors Henry Coyle, an aerospace engineering major from Charlottesville, Virginia, Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology major from Delaware, Ohio, and Grady King, a data science major from Morgantown, will each receive $7,500 annually for up to two years of undergraduate study to further their research. All three are members of the Honors College.

Sophie Slaughter, a native of Culloden and member of the Honors College, is the recipient of the prestigious annual award given to college juniors with exceptional leadership potential and a commitment to public service. Slaughter, a junior double majoring in history and women’s and gender studies, envisions a future where everyone has what they need to live safe, healthy and self-directed lives.

West Virginia University students at the WVU College of Law and the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences will benefit from a WVU alumna’s efforts to honor her brother’s legal legacy and promote education in the Mountain State through scholarships.

The College of Law celebrated the career of Judge Robert B. King, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, on Friday (April 4) with a portrait unveiling and a surprise. His sister, former WVU Eberly College Dean Mary Ellen Mazey, is spearheading fundraising efforts to establish a scholarship in his honor with support from King’s former law clerks, other colleagues and friends.

The Judge Robert Bruce King Law Scholarship will be awarded to law students from West Virginia, with first preference for WVU Eberly College graduates.

A West Virginia University psychology professor has been honored for her exceptional teaching of writing during the University’s annual awards season.

Julie Hicks Patrick is the 2024-2025 recipient of the Caperton Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Writing. Established in 2007, the award was made possible by the generosity of former West Virginia Governor and College Board president Gaston Caperton. Caperton’s intent was to “increase awareness of the need for improved writing skills,” identifying writing as a critical issue necessary to maintaining America’s competitive edge in the global market. 

Renee LaRue, teaching associate professor in the School of Mathematical and Data Sciences, was named the 2025 College Level Mathematics Teacher of the Year during the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference held at Stonewall Resort.

Katy Goodrich, an assistant professor in the West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, was honored with a Big 12 Conference Faculty of the Year Award for her groundbreaking work in plasma and space physics. This prestigious award recognizes faculty from all 16 of the Big 12 institutions who have demonstrated incredible work, diversity of research breakthroughs and educational opportunities for their university.

During WVU’s 2024 Homecoming celebration, seniors Megan Frappier and Hannah Warden were crowned Homecoming Royalty at halftime of the Kansas State game. Frappier, a criminology and political science major from New Jersey, and Warden, a health services management major from Cross Lanes, are both leaders in WVU’s diversity and service initiatives.The celebration also included alumni awards, with Tracy Schoenadel and Laura Boyd honored as Outstanding Alumni, and Paul Lewis receiving the David W. Jacobs Lifetime Service Award. Astrophysicists Duncan Lorimer and Maura McLaughlin served as grand marshals for the Homecoming Parade.

WVU Shines at National Academic Advising Conference, Showcasing Excellence and Collaboration in Student Success