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West Liberty University welcomed families and guests to its Spring 2023 Commencement ceremony made all the better by the cooperation of the weather on a perfect spring day. A total of 355 graduates were included in the Class of 2023.
Interim President Cathy Monteroso presided over the ceremony and began with a welcome and reflection on the special moment and the pride that graduates should feel on earning their degrees.
Interim Provost Dr. Mark Schulman then presented the special guests, and was followed by Chairman of the Board of Governors Rich Lucas offering personal greetings from the governing board. Next the student speakers took the podium.
Senior Claire Valentine, a graduate from the College of Sciences, began by explaining how West Liberty was a place she could truly thrive, offering "unforgettable experiences and special people." She made special mention of the excellent faculty that supported her throughout her college career.
"No matter where life takes you, you will forever be part of the West Liberty family," said Valentine.
Also achieving the honor of student speaker was Mariah Cashbaugh, a graduate from the College of Sciences.
Cashbaugh termed West Liberty a "second home for me, a place of learning and growth. It is a place free to develop academic interests and personal ones."
"I always had a support system here and my family at home to rely on. As a biology major, West Liberty has helped me become the person I am today. I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship." Cashbaugh singled out professors, Dr. Joseph Horzempa, Dr. Robert Kreisberg and Dr. Roger Seeber.
Next, the keynote address was given by Denise M. Penz, co-founder, CEO and vice chairman of the Preferred Legacy Trust Co. Also an alumna, Penz recently was elected to serve on the WLU Foundation Board of Directors.
Penz began by explaining a bit about life's paths and the various directions they take you.
"All of us have an inner child that plays a part in the decisions we make and the adult that we choose to become," Penz said as she began sharing her personal experiences in life.
Penz stated that she draws on a quote from George Washington Carver:
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Sometime in life you will have been all of these."
She encouraged graduates to "find something you're really passionate about."
Monteroso next conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Speaker Penz. Following this, all graduates received their degrees.
Also honored at the ceremony were graduating students with the highest GPA in each respective college who received the honor of carrying the college banner. These include:
— Graduate Studies - Shannon Davis, Lubbock, Texas
— College of Sciences - Cara Campbell, Wheeling and Jordyn Hughes, Moundsville
— Gary E. West College of Business - Sierra Aniballi, Greensburg, Pa., Gemma Cliffe, Auckland, NZ; Tucker Sebring, Caldwell, Ohio and Parker Sherry, East Palestine, Ohio
— College of Education and Human Performance - Madison Young, Cadiz, Ohio
— College of Liberal and Creative Arts - Kali Adams, Pittsburgh, Pa., Madison Cavicchia, Wheeling, Jessica Dobbins, Toronto, Ohio and Ashton Wronikowski, Coldwater, Mich.