WVU Potomac State College held the 83rd Recognition Day Awards Ceremony earlier this spring during the Annual Weekend of Honors. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni were recognized and presented with various awards.
Mason Belt, a biology major from Ridgeley, WV, was presented with the Morris Organic Chemistry Award by Dr. Roshan Lamichhane, assistant professor of chemistry. This award is named for Jasper Morris, a former professor of chemistry and physics at the College. The student receiving this award must have the highest average in organic chemistry, both in lecture and laboratory, for the two-semester sequence.
Mason Belt also received the W.E. Michael Biology award which is bestowed in memory of Professor Emeritus W.E. Michael, who taught at PSC for 33 years. This award is given to the student with the highest average in the complete biology major sequence and was presented by Biology Professor Erin Cunningham.
Alexa Shoemaker, a biology major from Keyser, WV, was presented with the Maurice Powell General Chemistry Award. This award is named for Maurice Powell, who served for many years as chairman of the PSC chemistry department. The student receiving this award must have the highest average in both lecture and laboratory for the complete two-semester sequence of Chemistry 115 and 116. Assistant Professor Ganesh Ghimire presented the award.
Saige Miller, a pre-occupational therapy major from Keyser, WV, was presented with the Maurice Powell General Chemistry Award. The award was presented by Instructor Farren Smith.
Ava Buser, a pre-nursing major from Ridgeley, WV, was presented with the Dr. Henry Falkowski Survey of Chemistry Award. This award is bestowed in memory of Dr. Henry Falkowski, who served as a professor in the chemistry department for 41 years at PSC. Dr. Jay Badenhoop, professor of chemistry, presented the award.
Sabriel Haggerty, a history major from Keyser, WV, received the Mauzy-Harris History Award, which was created by Pittsburgh Businessman Sydney Harris in honor of former history professor and dean of Potomac State College, Frank Mauzy. The award was presented by Cassandra Pritts, associate professor of history.
Alexis Taylor, from Keyser, WV, majoring in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship (SAGE) program, was presented with the Outstanding SAGE BAS Student Award by Professor Jeffrey Jones.
Nathaniel Lange, a PSC-Early Start student from Ridgely, WV, was the recipient of the Willa Louise Cather Award for Best Non-creative Essay. Named after Professor Emerita Dr. Willa Louise Cather, this award is presented to a student whose essay represents the best non-creative work produced in all English classes during the year. Luke Duncan, a PSC-Early Start student from Ridgeley, WV, was the recipient of the Anthony Duke Whitmore Award. Assistant Professor Caitlin Hudgins presented the awards.
Spanish Instructor Julia Leverone presented Abigail Peace, a mathematics major from Berryville, VA; Emily Kimble, a secondary education major from Moorefield, WV; Emma Craddock, a political science major from Ridgeley, WV; and Emma Hubbard, a psychology major from Martinsburg, WV; with the Outstanding Spanish Award. Abigail Peace was also the recipient of the PSC Alumni Scholarship.
Chase Staggers, a business management major from Keyser, WV, was the recipient of the Outstanding Business Management Student Award. Associate Professor Amy Weaver and Instructor JoAnn Burnett presented the award. He also received the John Philip Spoerl Scholarship from the PSC Alumni Association.