Graduates
recently walked across the stage at the Church-McKee Arts Center to receive their
diplomas during the WVU Potomac State College 120th Commencement Ceremony held on Saturday, May 6. Their
family, friends, faculty, and staff offered cheers and applause.
Attending college, it’s been said, shouldn’t just be about learning to make a living, it should also be about learning to make a difference. This was the message West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhart relayed to the 2023 graduating class at PSC.
“First, find a job or career you truly love. Second, take time for yourself and your family. Third, take time to volunteer where you see a need,” Mr. Leonhardt said. “We share a common goal of a better world. All of you will have the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life. Be ready to do so.”
As graduates know, college life can be difficult for most first-time freshmen, especially students who are away from home for the first time, those who don’t make friends easily, or those who just find it challenging as they adjust to the college environment. Likewise, others thrive in the college environment.
Graduate Timothy Reidell is one of those students who thrived. Having been homeschooled, Tim jumped right into the college experience when he arrived on campus. He was a member of various clubs, helped with activities, and volunteered with nonprofits around the Keyser community. Tim majored in criminology and was a recipient of the prestigious Catamounts Climb Higher Awards. Tim took the initiative to present his abstract and research, Comparing the Effects of Recidivism: Inside Private and Public Prisons,” to West Virginia legislators during Undergraduate Research Day at the State Capitol in Charleston, this past spring.
“Timothy is a quintessential student. Every teacher wants students like him in their class. Timothy took my Greek and Roman Myths class, and his performance in the class was exceptional, but what really impressed me was when I announced in class that a poetry contest was being hosted by The Indie on Main and to see me for more info if interested. The next class, Timothy asked me for a copy of the contest info because he said he was committed to trying to do something new and outside his comfort zone every month,” said PSC English Professor Deanna Brooke-Armentrout.
“So, when he came to the Writing Center this year for some feedback on his abstract for the Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol, I wasn’t at all surprised that he would take a chance at such an opportunity. He thought he was a long shot at getting to present, but I knew he had a very good project and a chance at getting accepted. I am so proud of everything that he has already accomplished, and I’m excited to see what Timothy will achieve at WVU Morgantown and beyond,” Professor Armentrout added.
Graduation is a time for excitement and a sense of achievement. It’s the bittersweet sadness of leaving something familiar and the anticipation of beginning another journey in life. For some, the path will lead to more education, for others, employment.
“You never know where life will take you. Have the courage of your beliefs and don’t fear change. Rather, face it with enthusiasm. Enjoy your work and don’t be afraid to adjust,” Mr. Leonhardt said. These words resonated with Aubrey Gahagen who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Aubrey was also the recipient of one of the prestigious Catamounts Climb Higher Awards.
“I always wanted to be a nurse and even though I faced a few obstacles because there were no open spots on the WVU Morgantown campus, I didn’t give up on my dream,” Aubrey said.
“Aubrey is intuitive to the needs of others, volunteers on a regular basis, helped provide medicine to the unsheltered population in her community, and has been given the opportunity to represent nursing at the national level,” said Dr. April Shapiro, Nursing Department chair and assistant professor at PSC.
Prior to WVU Potomac State College President Chris Gilmer proclaiming that these 2023 graduates had earned their chosen degrees, along with the graduation tradition turning of the tassel, he offered these parting thoughts, “Wherever you go, we hope that your time with us has inspired you, encouraged you, connected you, and developed you.”