WVU Potomac State College Alumni Newsletter | Summer 2025
WVU Potomac State College Alumni Newsletter | Summer 2025
Greetings from the Campus President!
Dear PSC Alumni and Friends:
In this issue of the PSC Alumni & Friends Update, we are reviewing the exciting
momentum of April, May, and June. I’m pleased to share one of my most memorable
events of this period — the birth of our son. Allyson safely delivered Maxwell
Chadwick Wallace on April 7, at 9:27 a.m. Maxwell weighed six pounds, ten ounces,
and was nineteen inches in length. Sister Kennedy has been excellent with the transition
from only child to big sister. Thank you all for your well wishes, gifts, and prayers!
This spring brought us lots of celebrations! In April, the WVU Potomac State College
Alumni Association helped support the Student Scholarship Recipient & Donor
Appreciation Luncheon. This event, designed to connect students and donors, was
a tremendous success. We were able to hear messages from fellow alumni and from
students who have received scholarships. I’m so appreciative of our alumni who
donated, and continue to donate, to WVU Potomac State College to support our students.
The WVU PSC Alumni Association Board has been diligently working in partnership
with WVU Potomac State College to implement the WVU PSC Alumni-Student Mentorship
Program.
Homecoming Weekend is scheduled from Friday, October 3, through Sunday, October 5,
2025. These are just a few of the events planned throughout the weekend — on Friday,
a memorial campus walk and an alumni social at the North Branch Brewing Company (downtown
Keyser); on Saturday, breakfast at the Mary F. Shipper Library, an Alumni Association
Board meeting, Catamount Cook-out on the Quad, numerous sporting events, and the
Alumni Association & Athletic Hall of Fame Reception & Awards Ceremony; and
on Sunday, a 5K race to support the new indoor and outdoor track and field programs.
Be on the lookout for a separate email with all the details to include how to register
for the weekend events.
Denny Avers – A Whitmore-Gates Scholar
In September, join in the celebration of Carl “Denny” Avers, a Class of 1961 alum,
who was designated a Whitmore–Gates Scholar during Recognition Day this past spring.
Denny is a distinguished graduate who has received numerous awards for his career
achievements and volunteer efforts. He has provided financial gifts that have enhanced
WVU Potomac State College’s commitment to preserving and disseminating local history
records and information.
Alumni & Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Nominations Deadline Fri, Aug 1
Each year at homecoming, the WVU Potomac State College Alumni Association proudly
presents three alumni awards to recognize the outstanding achievements of those
who have earned distinction in their chosen field. Nominations must be submitted
by 11:59 p.m., on Friday, August 1, for consideration for the 2025 Awards Reception.
Your help is needed in recognizing the exceptional achievements of our alumni
by submitting a nomination(s) for the following 2025 awards. (Please note: For consideration, an individual who successfully completed
one class at PSC is considered an alumnus.)
Fred Jacoby Name Inscribed on Academic Achievement Wall
Fred Jacoby (center) with Ajaya Sankara Warrier, assistant professor of chemistry
(left) and Rachel DelSignore, English instructor (right).
Every spring, students, faculty, staff, and alumni at WVU 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.
According to his peers, “Fred’s 31-year teaching career at Potomac State College
has left a deep and lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the institution
as a whole. Fred served as a faculty advisor for the student newspaper and the
journalism program, sponsoring annual field trips to Washington, D.C., that gave
students hands-on exposure to national media outlets and government institutions.”
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.
After congratulating the graduates, PSC Campus President, Dr. Wallace had this
to say, “You’ve worked hard, pushed through challenges, and reached one of the
most important goals of your life – completing your college education. Through
long nights, tough classes, and personal obstacles, you stayed focused, determined,
and driven. You did it, and we couldn’t be prouder. Whether you dream of building
stronger communities, breaking ground in science and technology, starting your
own business, or bringing creativity and compassion to everything you do, you are
ready. You leave here not only with a degree, but with a purpose, a voice, and
the power to make a difference.”
Brandon Liller (right) with WVU Potomac State College President Dr. Jerry Wallace.
There’s a saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” which is exactly what this
picture depicts, but to learn about each stroke life has painted for Brandon Liller,
you’ll need a little background information, but instead of starting at the beginning,
let’s begin in the middle.
Liller grew up in Keyser, West Virginia. His mother worked at a local bank and
his dad worked at the old Anchor Glass plant. Both of his biological parents and
his stepdad have quietly been in his corner, cheering him on and always supporting
him no matter what path he chose.
While in high school, Liller thought journalism was his career path, but a month
after graduating in 1991, he was employed by Anchor Glass. At the time, he didn’t
believe he needed college; after all, he was living at home, making great money,
and life felt pretty good.
But four short years later, the plant shut down. “I had bills. I had debt. And
I thought the college train had long since left the station,” Liller said.
To continue reading the article, select the icon shown below. Listen to Brandon’s
speech
online. Scroll the timeline to 21:25 where Dr. Jerry Wallace is introducing
Brandon.