Eberly News

The West Virginia University Mountaineer is not just a mascot—it is a symbol of West Virginia history and identity embraced throughout the Mountain State. Rosemary Hathaway, folklorist and associate professor of English in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, explores the spirit of the Mountaineer in her new book, Mountaineers Are Always Free. Published by WVU Press, Mountaineers Are Always Free weighs the varying perspectives on the Mountaineer throughout its history – from a backwoods trickster to present-day West Virginia icon. Based on past Mountaineers’ images and portrayals, the book consistently raises the question of what freedom and independence look like in West Virginia through the lens of this mascot, and who gets to claim that freedom and independence.

WVU Press to release book on history and symbol of the Mountaineer

Eberly News /

The  West Virginia University  Mountaineer is not just a mascot—it is a symbol of West Virginia history and identity embraced throughout the Mountain State.  Rosemary Hathaway, folklorist and associate professor of English in the  Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, explores the spirit of the Mountaineer in her new book,  Mountaineers Are Always Free . 

A group of students, studying everything from criminology to creative writing, are working together to make a difference and find purpose in their careers. A new Social Justice Research Fellowship in West Virginia University’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is empowering graduate students to connect their research to social justice issues.

Weaving social justice into graduate studies

Eberly News /

A group of students, studying everything from criminology to creative writing, are working together to make a difference and find purpose in their careers.

New research from West Virginia University is simplifying mass spectrometry experiments. While mass spectrometers require materials to be ionized, or gain an electrical charge, before they can be examined, a research team in the C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry has created an instrument that goes straight to the source. The vibrating sharp-edge spray ionization device, created by Assistant Professor Peng Li and his research group, is a small, rectangular piece of glass approximately 2.5 inches long and one inch wide that collects and ionizes samples on the spot.

Straight to the source

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WVU chemists lead the ‘charge’ with new molecular research tool

Melissa Blank

WVU receives CDC award to curb vaping and opioid abuse, improve health outcomes in West Virginia

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West Virginia University’s efforts to address chronic disease and substance abuse prevention, growing concerns related to vaping and youth mental health issues will be bolstered by funding from the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, awarded to the  West Virginia Prevention Research Center in the  School of Public Health.  

Teresa Hoang and Thaiddeus Dillie

Dillie and Hoang named 2019 WVU Homecoming king, queen

Eberly News /

A week of  Homecoming activities at  West Virginia University culminated today (Oct. 5) with the crowning of Thaiddeus Dillie and Teresa Hoang as the 2019 king and queen.

When concerns are expressed about distrust in science, they often focus on whether the public trusts research findings. A new study from West Virginia University, however, explores a different dimension of trust. Two researchers in WVU’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences examined whether and how frequently researchers misrepresent their research accomplishments when applying for faculty jobs. The research team, led by Associate Professor of Political Science Trisha Phillips and Department of Sociology and Anthropology chair Lynne Cossman, collected all vitae submitted for faculty positions at a large research university for one year. The institution was intentionally unidentified to maintain confidentiality. After reviewing a 10% sample for accuracy, they discovered that of the 180 applicants whose vitae were analyzed, 141, or 78%, claimed to have at least one publication. Of these applicants with publications, 79, or 56%, listed at least one publication that was unverifiable or inaccurate in a self-promoting way.

WVU study reveals falsification issues in higher education hiring processes

Eberly News /

When concerns are expressed about distrust in science, they often focus on whether the public trusts research findings. 

West Virginia University researchers have helped discover the most massive neutron star to date, a breakthrough uncovered through the Green Bank Telescope in Pocahontas County. The neutron star, called J0740+6620, is a rapidly spinning pulsar that packs 2.17 times the mass of the sun (which is 333,000 times the mass of the Earth) into a sphere only 20-30 kilometers, or about 15 miles, across. This measurement approaches the limits of how massive and compact a single object can become without crushing itself down into a black hole.

WVU astronomers help detect the most massive neutron star ever measured

Eberly News /

West Virginia University researchers have helped discover the most massive neutron star to date, a breakthrough uncovered through the Green Bank Telescope in Pocahontas County.

Dan McNeil

Looking beyond the tooth

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WVU studies impact of social support on kids’ oral health

To the casual observer, Japanese stiltgrass appears as a harmless, leafy green plant that blends into the majestic scenery of your weekend hike through the woods. Plant biologists like Craig Barrett know better.

Invasion of the Japanese stiltgrass

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WVU biologist targets plant that wreaks havoc on forest ecosystems

A rocky start in college hasn’t stopped West Virginia University alumnus Zachary Heck (BS Geology, ’16) from pursuing his prehistoric passions. As a geology student, Heck traveled to Virginia’s Shenandoah National Forest; Yellowstone National Park; Spearfish, South Dakota; and Dillon, Montana, where he gained experience in geologic mapping of rock units, hot springs and geysers. Heck’s passion for preserving prehistoric artifacts led him to a career in paleontology before he even graduated. He landed an internship with a paleontologist based in Barrackville who owns Prehistoric Planet, a web-based replica store. He spent five years with the company creating and delivering fossil replicas around the U.S.

Unearthing the art of fossils

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A rocky start in college hasn’t stopped West Virginia University alumnus Zachary Heck (BS Geology, ’16) from pursuing his prehistoric passions.