WVU Potomac State College recognized award recipients (l-r) Dr. Mark Manchin, Phillip
Douthitt, Jessica Robey, Jared Hallow, and George Messich during Homecoming festivities
at the Alumni Awards & Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Reception on Saturday,
September 28.
This year, the West Virginia University Potomac State College Alumni Awards Event took on a fresh look. What formerly was known as the Alumni Awards Banquet, is now the Alumni Awards & Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Reception. This innovative approach allowed individuals to be a part of both events.
The reception was scheduled for Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, September 28, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in the Davis Conference Center, giving guests the opportunity to mingle with each other and enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts. The Awards program began at 6:15 p.m. and ended at 7 p.m.
Honorees this year included:
- Mark Manchin, Ph.D., recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award, who after attending Potomac State College, he served as a superintendent in various West Virginia counties, was elected to the West Virginia State Senate, and currently serves as president of Glenville State University.
- Phillip Douthitt, a 1981 PSC graduate, was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Douthitt currently serves as dean of Academic Affairs at PSC. During his 36 years at the College, he has served in numerous roles and continues to work tirelessly toward shaping the PSC academic landscape.
- Jessica Robey, the Young Alumni Award recipient, attended Potomac State from 2007 to 2009 and exemplifies service and leadership. After attending PSC, she served with AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps, working on community development projects in Jamaica.
The Athletic Hall of Fame honorees included:
- Jared Hallow who attended PSC from 2015 to 2016 and led the cross-country team to a WPCC Championship, including a fourth-place slot at the NJCAA National Championship. His individual records in the 8K and 6K still stand today.
- George Messich, a Potomac State football standout in 1973 and 1974, was a two-time NJCAA All-American and a key player in Pitt's 1976 National Championship team. He has more than 40 years of coaching under his belt.
Other events were held throughout the week and weekend, including a Homecoming Party on the Quad, a PSC Football Reunion at the North Branch Pub, multiple athletic events, and campus tours.