West Virginia University Potomac State College Green Team members (l-r) Agriculture
Professor Donna Ballard, Chemistry Professor Josh Carder, and Biology Instructor
Farren Smith stand in front of the Certified Wildlife Habitat Native Flower Garden
on the hillside near Science Hall on the PSC campus. The Wildlife Habitat was a
collaborative effort between students and faculty.
The Potomac State Green Team (PSGT) is pleased to announce the establishment of a
Certified Wildlife Habitat Native Flower Garden on the campus of West Virginia
University Potomac State College.
Brandon Liller (right), a non-traditional, first-generation college student was asked
by WVU Potomac State College President Dr. Jerry Wallace (left) to serve as the
keynote speaker during the 2025 Commencement Ceremony earlier this spring.
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.
Catamounts Climb Higher award recipients are recognized for their ability to bounce
back despite encountering obstacles, for overcoming challenges, and for staying
the course – and May’s recipient, Debra Wood, has faced and overcome many challenges.
“As a first-generation college student at the age of 61, my journey has been filled
with numerous challenges and triumphs. My majors in mental health and addictions
studies, and pre-social work have provided me with the knowledge and skills to
make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. My volunteer work has been a cornerstone
of my personal and professional growth. I have had the privilege of volunteering
at Loving Hands Outreach Ministry, HopeFest, and collaborating with other organizations
in the community to raise awareness about mental health and addiction,” Wood said.
The Betty T. Livengood Teacher Education Scholarship at West Virginia University
Potomac State College was initiated and established in 1993 by friends and colleagues
wishing to acknowledge her lifelong commitment to education and her love of teaching.
This historic scholarship has now been formally recognized by the WVU Foundation
as an established scholarship, supported by the Livengood family’s commitment to
ensure it continues in perpetuity.
West Virginia University Potomac State College (PSC) recently awarded scholarships
to numerous Keyser High School students as they embark upon continuing their education
at PSC. Dr. Megan Webb, who serves as the Director of Development at the College,
presented students with the following two scholarships
.
The Dulin Memorial Scholarship, made possible by George K. Oss and his wife Joann,
in memory of George’s beloved grandmother, Cora A. Dulin, was presented to Keyser
High School (KHS) student, Malachi Green, in recognition of his achievements, leadership,
and dedication.
WVU Potomac State College is out for summer, but the campus is still busy with camps,
community events and upgrades. For this month op-ed, I asked PSC Athletic Director
to highlight the amazing season our PSC softball team and coaches had this year.
The WVU Potomac State Softball team is no stranger to success and 2025 was certainly
a season to remember. Potomac State has now won nine Region 20 Championships since
2015, with eight trips to the NJCAA Softball World Series. This year under first
year Head Coach, Chris Greise, the Catamounts also saw PSC records broken in several
categories. Their 39-6 season becomes the 3rd top season in school history. Their
team batting average of .445 becomes the highest in program history and the “bomb
squad” also crushed the former standing records of 507 hits and 89 homeruns by
recording an impressive 528 hits and 107 homeruns. The team also had a .521 on
base percentage and a .829 slugging percentage.
They finished the 2025 season ranked 1st in the NJCAA in Division II softball for
batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage.
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.