Our Eberly Scholars are committed to scholarship, leadership and service. Meet this
year's cohort and learn how they've made the most of their college experiences.
Laura Alcalde
Major: Psychology
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Hometown: Morgantown, WV
Laura aspires to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, and then use her education
to study mental health disparities among ethnic and minority groups, with
a specific focus in Latinx populations. She is helping to restart WVU’s chapter
of the Lambda Theta Alpha sorority, the oldest Latina sorority, which incorporates
sisterhood and unity. For the past few years, she’s also overseen her family’s
holiday meals and has learned to cook recipes ranging from empanadas to souffles
to chicken tikka masala.
Alexandra Benyola
Major: Neuroscience, Psychology
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Hometown: Williamstown, NJ
Alexandra plans to attend medical school; whatever field she specializes in,
it will involve children in some way. Her passion for medicine was cemented
when she traveled to Panama as part of the Global Medical and Dental Brigades.
She is a board member for MountaineerTHON, an annual all-day dance event
that raises money for WVU Children’s Hospital. Her favorite place on campus
is the Chemistry Learning Center, where she recommends going, even if you
don’t take any chemistry classes.
Jessica Burke
Major: Biology
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Minor: Psychology
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Hometown: Kearneysville, WV
Sophie Crowder
Major: Biochemistry
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Hometown: Harpers Ferry, WV
Sophie plans to attend medical school after earning her bachelor’s degree in
biochemistry. Becoming a physician will help her have a direct impact in
her community and help people get through some of the toughest challenges
they’ll ever face. She is preparing for a future of service to her community
by volunteering in the post-op recovery room at Ruby Memorial Hospital. A
self-described shy and insecure freshman, Sophie is now one of the leaders
of the Mountaineer Maniacs fan group. Her favorite place to be at WVU is
the Coliseum, cheering and singing “Country Roads” after a Mountaineer victory.
Madalena Daugherty
Major: Biochemistry
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Hometown: Weirton, WV
Madalena Daugherty’s appreciation for the sciences and desire to help others
led her from her hometown of Weirton, West Virginia, to WVU. After she completes
her bachelor's degree in biochemistry, she plans to attend medical school.
She credits the Neil S. Bucklew Scholarship she received in 2021 with helping
her to expand her activities on campus, including mentoring students in the
Honors College, tutoring undergraduate chemistry students, and volunteering
with Mail 4 Vets, which provides virtual greetings to hospitalized veterans.
Taylor Delong
Major: International Studies, Philosophy
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Minor: Women and Gender Studies
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Hometown: Oceana, WV
Taylor Delong is working toward a bachelor’s degree in international studies
and philosophy, with a minor in women’s and gender studies. She plans to
go to law school, and then become a defense lawyer or public defender. She
is an intern for the West Virginia Innocence Project. Her trip to France
as a WVU student has also piqued her interest in a career in foreign affairs
with the US State Department. When it’s warm outside, she and her friends
can often be found on the lawn in front of Elizabeth Moore Hall, playing
Yahtzee.
Olivia Dowler
Major: History, Spanish, Philosophy
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Hometown: Weirton, WV
Gabrielle Frazier
Major: English, Geography
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Minor: Political Science
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Hometown: Gerrardstown, WV
Gabrielle Frazier is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English and geography,
with a minor in political science. She says her most memorable moment at
WVU was during the Monday Night Lights event her freshman year, when she
sang “Country Roads” for the first time. Her many accomplishments include
working toward sustainable development with WVU’s Center for Resilient Communities,
serving as community service chair for 100 Black Women, writing for Mirage
Magazine, and volunteering with the Appalachian Prison Book Project. She
plans to attend law school and become an environmental lawyer.
Ethan Harner
Major: Geography, Economics
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Minor: Landscape Studies
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Hometown: Harpers Ferry, WV
Ethan is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in geography and economics, with a minor
in landscape studies. He plans to earn a graduate degree in urban planning,
and then work in affordable housing policy. He enjoys running, hiking, and
climbing, and says his goal is to climb the tallest mountain in every state.
His most memorable moment at WVU was when his car broke down in southern
West Virginia while he was on a research trip with several friends and colleagues.
Luke Hawranick
Major: Mathematics, Computer Science
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Hometown: Fairmont, WV
Luke Hawranick is working toward a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer
science. He hasn’t picked a specific career goal yet but finds himself becoming
passionate about algorithm design and discrete mathematics. Luke is the president
of the Math Club and a member of the WVU Track Club. He also studies piano;
in fact, he’s recently finished a 13-page ballad for a piano competition.
Still, he says his favorite spot on campus is Room 315 in Armstrong Hall,
where he always learns something new.
Emily Herron
Major: Neuroscience, Spanish
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Minor: Biology
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Hometown: Weston, WV
Emily Herron is working toward a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and Spanish,
with a minor in biology. Earlier this year, she presented her research in
neuroimmunology to state lawmakers in Charleston. Her Spanish studies were
enhanced by the opportunity to spend a month studying in Spain, where she
absorbed the culture firsthand and met many new friends. She plans to go
to medical school to become a neurosurgeon, and perhaps combine that with
a Ph.D. to assist in her research efforts.
Bryan Hill
Major: Anthropology, History
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Minor: Spanish
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Hometown: Princeton, WV
Madison Holland
Major: Biology
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Minor: Medical Humanities & Health Studies
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Hometown: Elkins, WV
Madison is earning her bachelor’s degree biology with a minor in Medical
Humanities and Health Studies. As a twin, she has a special interest in
reproductive science. The native of Elkins, West Virginia, plans to go
on to medical school and pursue a career in reproductive endocrinology.
She already works as an operating room surgical technician and serves in
the U.S. Army Reserves.
Charles Long
Major: Political Science
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Minor: Philosophy
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Hometown: Charleston, WV
Charles is working toward a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor
in philosophy. He serves as the attorney general for WVU’s student government
and plans to go to law school. He has worked with the Appalachian Prison
Book Project and with Pantry Plus More, a local food bank. He’s most proud
of being selected to speak as part of the TEDxWVU talk program about his
own experiences with self-doubt.
Caitlin Mead
Major: English, Psychology
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Hometown: Wheeling, WV
Caitlin Mead will always remember her role as a student orientation leader,
welcoming new Mountaineers and their families to campus, and making many
friends in the process. She’s good at that; she met her roommate on move-in
day as a freshman, and they’ve remained roommates ever since. Caitlin is
working on a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology, and plans to pursue
a Ph.D. in higher education, hoping to someday be a dean or the director
of a college. She’s been a leader for WVU’s chapter of Active Minds, a group
devoted to mental health issues, especially those involving college students.
Gracie Monachello
Major: Neuroscience
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Hometown: Walkersville, WV
Gracie wants to become a neurologist, and to that end is pursuing a bachelor’s
degree in neuroscience. She plans to remain in Appalachia and help overcome
the health disparities faced by residents here. Gracie is secretary and service
head of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Society. At home in Weston, West
Virginia, she volunteers for the county’s Meals on Wheels program, and fosters
pregnant cats from the nearby animal shelter.
Kiran Patel
Major: Biology
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Minor: Medical Humanities & Health Studies
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Hometown: Vienna, WV
Kiran is graduating this semester with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a
minor in medical humanities and health studies. He plans to spend the next
year working as a clinical associate at Ruby Memorial Hospital, before attending
medical school. He works with several organizations on campus, including
Global Medical and Dental Brigades, Remote Area Medical, the National Society
of Collegiate Scholars, and the Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society.
He counts his most memorable moment at WVU as sitting in the front row when
Dr. Mark Tinsley ignited a hydrogen-filled balloon on the first day of Chemistry
115.
Bethanny Prascik
Major: Anthropology, Dance
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Hometown: Fairmont, WV
Bethanny Prascik is working toward a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and
dance, with the goal of becoming a museum curator after graduate school.
In addition to performing in various shows and being part of WVU’s Student
Dance Association, Bethanny also serves as treasurer of the WVU Anthropology
Club and as an editorial board member for the Mountaineer Undergraduate Research
Review, and volunteers in the WVU Archaeology Lab. Many of her dance classes
and rehearsals are in her favorite place on campus, Elizabeth Moore Hall,
but Bethanny also enjoys curling up on an E. Moore couch in between classes
to relax or squeeze in a little homework.
Makaela Quinn
Major: Biology
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Minor: Child Development & Family Studies
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Hometown: Wheeling, WV
Allison Ralston
Major: Biology (WVUTeach Program Emphasis)
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Hometown: Bridgeport, WV
Allison Ralston is a junior majoring in biology with an area of emphasis
in the WVUTeach Program. She is a member of the American Association for
Anatomy, does research at the Health Sciences Campus in Anatomical Variations
through the Research Apprenticeship Program and is a teaching assistant
for 100- and 200-level Biology courses. In her free time, Allison enjoys
rock climbing, backpacking, biking, running, and other outdoor activities.
One of her favorite experiences at WVU has been with the WVUTeach Program
while going to local high schools to teach Biology to sophomores. After
graduation, Allison plans on continuing her education by getting an education
master's degree and then teaching biology and anatomy at a high school
in West Virginia.
Madison Santmyer
Major: Political Science, International Studies
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Minor: Spanish, Geography/Globilization
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Hometown: Purcellville, VA
Madison was inaugurated as WVU’s 110th student body president this year. She
is the 10th woman to hold that position. She is majoring in political science
and international studies, with minors in Spanish and geography/globalization.
She plans to go to law school and someday practice international law. Madison
founded the organization Women in Politics and Government and serves as that
group’s president. She’s a member of Alpha Phi sorority, where she previously
served as vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She’s a member
of several other groups, including Women in Law, the Pre-Law Society, Chimes
Junior Honorary, the FirstGen Mountaineers Society, and the Mountaineer Fentanyl
Education Task Force.
Jenna Sergent
Major: Social Work
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Minor: Disability Studies
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Hometown: Hurricane, WV
Jenna is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work and a multidisciplinary
studies degree, comprised of minors in political science, sociology, and
psychology. She plans to attend graduate school in social work and public
administration, but before that, she is taking a few years off to work in
repropsychology, and sductive health and advocacy. She is a leader of the
campus group Students for Reproductive Justice and has helped lead the Student
Basic Needs Coalition and The Rack campus food pantry. She’s a member of
Phi Alpha, the social work honor society, and the Appalachian Advocacy Network.
Her most memorable moment at WVU was studying in Italy, after pandemic restrictions
eased, and her favorite spot here is the Knapp Hall student lounge, which
she calls one of the downtown campus’s best-kept secrets.
Lauren Sexton
Major: Biology
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Minor: Psychology, Music Performance
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Hometown: Williamstown, WV
Lauren says her favorite place on campus is the fifth floor of the Life Sciences
Building, where the many windows provide a great view of the downtown campus.
She is working on a bachelor’s degree in biology, with minors in psychology
and music performance. One performance she is proud of was at MountaineerTHON,
the dance fundraiser for WVU Children’s Hospital, where she has been the
top individual fundraiser for the past few years. She’s a member of the Project
168 Society, volunteers with the Appalachian Prison Book Project, and works
as a patient care technician at WVU Hospitals. She credits the book “Do Hard
Things” by Steve Magness as an inspiration, and enjoys reading classic novels,
including Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie.
Hannah Smart
Major: Neuroscience
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Hometown: Lewisburg, WV
Hannah plans to attend medical school after she earns her bachelor’s degree
in neuroscience. She ultimately plans to focus on oncology, and to that end,
she interned at the WVU Cancer Institute, where she worked alongside Dr.
Elena Pugacheva to conduct breast cancer-related research. She presented
her research at the institute’s symposium and counts that as one of her two
most memorable moments at WVU. The other is when she toured WVU as a potential
student, learned of the research opportunities available here, and knew this
would be her choice of where to go to college. Asked what she’ll miss about
WVU, she says, “Nothing … because once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer.”
Natalie Wonsettler
Major: Biology
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Minor: English, Medical Humanities & Health Studies
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Hometown: Morgantown, WV