News for WVU Potomac State College

Every spring, students, faculty, staff, and alumni at West Virginia University Potomac State College are recognized by their peers, professors, and alumni. The College recently recognized former Professor Fred Jacoby with the inscription of his name on the Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.   

During West Virginia University Potomac State College’s annual Recognition Day Awards Ceremony, Hartley VanGilder was named Outstanding Student of the Year for 2025, earning her the distinction of serving as the student speaker during this year’s Commencement Ceremony. VanGilder will also have her name inscribed on the Duke Anthony Whitmore Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.

West Virginia University Potomac State College President Jerry Wallace is pleased to announce the students who earned a place on the Spring 2025 President’s list. To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must be enrolled in at least 12-credit hours of graded courses, excluding courses in which any grade of Audit, Pass or Incomplete is recorded, and must earn a grade-point average of 3.700 or higher for the semester. A student is not eligible if the grade recorded for a course is: D, F, I (Incomplete), NR (Not Recorded), P (Pass), S (Satisfactory), or Audit. 

WVU Potomac State College Dean of Academic Affairs Phillip Douthitt is pleased to announce the students who earned a place on the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled for at least 12-credit hours of graded courses, excluding courses in which any grade of Audit, Pass or Incomplete is recorded, and must maintain a grade-point average of 3.000 to 3.699 for the semester. A student is not eligible if the grade recorded for a course is: D, F, I (Incomplete), NR (Not Recorded), P (Pass), S (Satisfactory), or Audit.

Every spring, students, faculty, staff, and alumni at West Virginia University Potomac State College are recognized by their peers, professors, and alumni. The 2025 Recognition Day Awards ceremony recently honored the following:

Hartley VanGilder named Outstanding Student of the Year 

KEYSER, W.Va. — WVU Potomac State College is proud to announce that Erin Cunningham has been named the 2025 Outstanding Professor of the Year, in recognition of her exceptional dedication to teaching, service, and student success.

Professor Cunningham, a longtime faculty member in the STEM division, is widely known for her ability to break down challenging scientific concepts into approachable lessons that resonate with students. Understanding that STEM subjects often involve difficult material and unfamiliar terminology, she has embraced a student-centered approach rooted in empathy, accessibility, and encouragement.

Approximately 150 students walked across the stage in the Church-McKee Arts Center on the WVU Potomac State College campus to receive a degree(s) in their chosen field of study.  Congratulations graduates!!

College graduation marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another journey in the lives of students who have achieved that milestone, which was the case May 10, at West Virginia University Potomac State College.

Congratulations to the WVU Potomac State College Class of 2025! I applaud this group of graduates as they persisted through a post-COVID higher education experience, which likely required online learning and remote meetings. We had more than 150 graduates on Saturday, May 10, who were celebrated and congratulated by family members, friends, and the Catamount Community.

One of the ceremony's highlights was the keynote address shared by Brandon Liller, a PSC graduate. I had the pleasure of meeting Brandon at the Mineral County Ham, Bacon, and Egg Auction in March. Like most PSC students do when they meet me, Brandon shared his story and connection to PSC. After visiting with him, I asked if he would consider speaking at graduation. To be honest, I left the keynote portion out because public speaking can be daunting.

Brandon accepted the invitation, and at graduation, he did not leave a dry eye in the audience. His story of resilience, dedication, hope, and family spoke to the fear most of us have about getting back up when we meet obstacles. As a non-traditional student, born and raised here in Keyser, Brandon’s journey showed the power of a strong community. The WVU Potomac State College Commencement Ceremony is now available for viewing on YouTube.

West Virginia University Potomac State College recently held the Student Scholarship Recipient & Donor Luncheon on the Keyser campus. Donors and student recipients were given the opportunity to tell their stories to one another, including how scholarships helped them stay focused and succeed during their time at PSC.