Jaden Fultz, a sports management major from Kingwood, W.Va., has been presented with the prestigious Catamounts Climb Higher award at West Virginia University Potomac State College.
“Jaden embodies the Catamount culture. As Interim Director of Residence Life, I have worked with him in several different capacities and he has a way of excelling, regardless of the task at hand,” Kara Hotchkiss said. “I first met Jaden in the fall of 2021 as a representative for SGA, where his outgoing and friendly personality helped him shine. He is resilient, optimistic, generous, and kind to everyone. His good traits are contagious - he has a way of making everyone smile or laugh.”
Climb Higher recipients are recognized for their ability to bounce back despite encountering obstacles, for overcoming challenges, and for staying the course. Recipients are also recognized for their outstanding work ethic, kindness, and positive attitude. Although this award is not based on GPA, recipients must be in good academic standing.
“I chose Potomac State College because they offered me a chance to continue playing basketball at the collegiate level,” Fultz said. I’ve met so many great people like Coach Streets, Kara Hotchkiss, Daniel Hott, Kenna Jeffrey, Michelle House, and Shannon Meek (among others) that have been influential in helping me succeed.”
Fultz volunteers much of his spare time in service to others. “Two of my favorite memories include volunteering at the Youth Basketball Camp and with the HSTA camp for upcoming high school freshman.”
“I got to experience a different side of Jaden this past summer when he served as a mentor for the HSTA camp, hosted on the PSC campus. He was a great leader and resource to the students in his group. He still talks about how much fun he had during the camp and that he plans to mentor again next summer. He genuinely cares for the people around him and will not hesitate to go out of his way to do for others,” Hotchkiss added.
As a member of the College’s Rotaract Club, he assisted with packing food for kids in need and visited the local nursing home. He is a member of the Black Student Alliance and “The Table” Bible Study group. Fultz also serves as a student ambassador and as co-captain of the men’s basketball team.
Furthermore, Fultz serves as a resident assistant for Friend Hall, volunteers with the men’s basketball team at the Faith in Action Food pantry and helped clean a local park. He has also read to students at Keyser Elementary School and taught them to play basketball.
“I love the game of basketball and plan to continue playing as long as I can. I would then like to coach at the highest levels,” Fultz said.
Fultz summed up his college experience to date with the following, “The friendships I’ve developed at Potomac State have created so many memories. I encourage incoming students to take life one day at a time and don’t stress about tomorrow. Enjoy living life in your own shoes, meet new people and you will make memories that will last forever.”