Every spring, students, faculty, staff, and alumni at West Virginia University Potomac
State College are recognized by their peers, professors, and alumni. The 2025 Recognition
Day Awards ceremony recently honored the following:
Hartley VanGilder named Outstanding Student of the Year
Hartley VanGilder (right) was named the Outstanding Student of the Year for 2025.
VanGilder is majoring in BAS SAGE and agribusiness management, and is from Berlin,
Penn. She also served as the student speaker during this year’s Commencement
Ceremony and will have her name inscribed on the Duke Anthony Whitmore Henry
Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall. President Jerry Wallace presented
the award.
Faith Brannon receives Duke Anthony Whitmore Award
Faith Brannon (left), a biology major from Ivydale, W.Va., was presented with the
Duke Anthony Whitmore Award for Best Creative Essay. This award is named in memory
of former Professor Emeritus Duke Anthony Whitmore. The award is presented to
a student whose essay represents the best creative work produced in all English
classes at the College during the academic year. English Professor Steve Oberlechner
presented the award.
Ryen Sites receives Emmy Noether Award
Ryen Sites (left), a mathematics major from Maysville, W.Va., was presented with
the Emmy Noether Award for Achievement in Mathematics. This award is named for
Emmy Noether (1882-1935), a German mathematician known for her contributions
to abstract algebra and theoretical physics. This award is for female students
who aspire to pursue STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
degrees. The award was presented by Professor Jessie O’Quinn.
Jacob Logsdon receives Outstanding Student Nursing Award
Jacob Logsdon, a BAS nursing major from Fort Ashby, W.Va., was presented with the
Outstanding Student Nursing Award. This award is given by the nursing faculty
to the senior nursing student who best exemplifies the qualities described in
the student nurse pledge that students commit to their sophomore year. The award
was presented by Dr. April Shapiro.
Caitlin Rennix receives Outstanding Forestry Student Award
Caitlin Rennix (left), a wildlife & fisheries resources major from Valley Bend,
W.Va., was presented with the Outstanding Forestry Student Award. The award was
presented by Professor Donna Ballard.
Levi Ferster receives Don S. Starcher Outstanding Freshman Agriculture and Forestry
Award
Levi Ferster, a sustainable agriculture entrepreneurship major from Dalmatia, Penn.,
was presented with the Don S. Starcher Outstanding Freshman Agriculture and Forestry
Award. The award was presented by Professor Donna Ballard.
Elizabeth Pryor and Olivia Barnes receive Human Anatomy and Physiology Award
Elizabeth Pryor (center), a Pre-BSN nursing major from Augusta, W.Va., and Olivia
Barnes (right), a Pre-BSN nursing major from Romney, W.Va., were presented with
the Human Anatomy and Physiology Award. This award is given by the Biology Department
to students with the highest cumulative grades for Anatomy and Physiology I and
II at the end of the academic year. The awards were presented by Dr. Sheri Chisholm
(left).
Leah McKenzie receives Maurice Powell General Chemistry Award
Leah McKenzie (right), an exercise physiology major from Frostburg, Md., 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 College’s Chemistry Department.
Students receiving this award must have the highest average in both lecture and
laboratory for the complete two-semester sequence of Chemistry 115 and 116. Professor
Joshua Carder presented the award.
Luke Greethurst presented with Gary Seldomridge Mathematics Award
Luke Greethurst (center), a mathematics and mechanical engineering major from Wallingford
in the United Kingdom, was presented with the Gary Seldomridge Award for Outstanding
Student in Classic Calculus Sequence. This award is named in honor of former
Professor Gary Seldomridge, Ph.D., who retired from the College after serving
for 41 years in higher education. Dr. Richard Peterson (left) and Dr. Jessie
O’Quinn (right) presented the award.
Paris Riefenstein presented with Dr. Henry Falkowski Survey of Chemistry Award
Paris Riefenstein (right), a pre-BSN nursing major from Woodland Hills, Calif.,
was presented with the Dr. Henry Falkowski Survey of Chemistry Award. This award
is named in memory of Henry S. Falkowski, Ph.D., who taught chemistry at the
College for 41 years. The award is given to students who achieve the highest
overall average in the Chemistry 111 and Chemistry 112 sequence, in lecture and
laboratory. Professor Joshua Carder presented the award.
Asher Westrom presented with W.E. Michael Biology Award
Asher Westrom, a biology major from Ridgeley, W.Va., was presented with the W.
E. Michael Biology Award. This award is named in memory of Professor Emeritus
W. E. Michael, who taught and served at the College for 33 years. This award
is presented to the student with the highest average in the complete biology
major sequence. The award was presented by Professor Erin Cunningham (left) and
Dr. Vickie Huffman (right).
Adam Cutter receives Outstanding Spanish Student Award
Adam Cutter (right), a criminology major from Keyser, W.Va., was a recipient of
the Outstanding Spanish Student Award. Trey Kitzmiller, a biology major from
Keyser, W.Va., and Emmanuelle Whitlock, an English major from Keyser, W.Va.,
also received the Spanish Award but were unavailable for the picture. Dr. Julia
Leverone presented the award.
Harris Boggs receives Outstanding Business Management Student Award (BAS)
Harris Boggs (right), a BAS business management major from Keyser, W.Va., was presented
with the Outstanding Business Management Student Award. This award is presented
to a student who exhibits academic excellence, leadership, and character. Professor
Amy Weaver presented the award.
Kylie Troutman receives Outstanding Business Technology Student Award (AAS)
Kylie Troutman (center), a business technology major from Dornsife, Penn., was
presented with the Outstanding Business Technology Student Award. This award
is given to a student who exhibits academic excellence, leadership, and character.
Professors Amy Weaver (left) and Erin Wyer (right) presented the award.
Sarah Augustine receives The Willa Louise Cather Award for Best Noncreative Essay
Sarah Augustine (left), an English major from Petersburg, W.Va., was awarded The
Willa Louise Cather Award for Best Noncreative Essay. Named after Dr. Willa Louise
Cather, professor emerita of English at Potomac State College, this award is
presented to a student whose essay represents the best noncreative work produced
in all English classes at the college during the academic year. The award was
presented by Professor Deanna Armentrout.
Marilee Kitzmiller receives Keyser Rotary Club’s Service Above Self Award
Marilee Kitzmiller (right), a BSN nursing major from Keyser, W.Va., was presented
with the Keyser Rotary Club Service Above Self Award. According to Rotary guidelines,
the recipient of the ‘Service Above Self’ award must demonstrate exemplary humanitarian
service with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement
in helping others. PSC English Professor Emerita Dinah Courrier presented the
award.
Debra Wood receives Outstanding Pre-Social Work Student Award
Graduating with a major in pre-social work, and another in mental health &
addiction studies, Debra Wood (right), a resident of Keyser, W.Va., received
the Outstanding Pre-Social Work Student Award. This award is presented to a student
for their hard work and dedication to their goals which demonstrates the definition
of a social worker. Professor Molly Alvaro presented the award.
Jacob Stout receives John Philip Spoerl Scholarship
Jacob Stout, a sustainable agriculture entrepreneurship major from Winchester, Va., was the recipient of the John Philip Spoerl Scholarship which is awarded by the WVU Potomac State College Alumni Association. John Philip Spoerl, (class of 1963), created a perpetual trust as part of his estate which funds scholarships for students at the College. PSC Alumni Association President Sabrina Cave presented the award.
Duke Anthony Whitmore, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall Recipients
Students Braylee Corbin, Kinsey Keplinger, and Gabriel Templeton will have their
names inscribed on the Duke Anthony Whitmore Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement
Wall for academic excellence. Corbin is a BAS criminal justice major from Petersburg,
W.Va. Keplinger is majoring in child development & family studies as well as
elementary education and is from Keyser, W.Va. Templeton is a computer information
systems major from Morgantown, W.Va.
Jessica Deck receives General Biology Award
Jessica Deck, an animal science major from Wardensville, W.Va., was presented with
the General Biology Award. (Not available for picture.)
Nathan Sions receives Outstanding Agriculture Sophomore Award
Nathan Sions, an animal science major from Romney, W.Va., was presented with the
Outstanding Agriculture Sophomore Award. (Not available for picture.)
Alexa Van Meter presented with Outstanding SAGE Student Award
Alexa Van Meter, a sustainable agriculture entrepreneurship major from Augusta,
W.Va., was presented with the Outstanding SAGE Student Award. (Not available
for picture.)
Paul Knotts receives Jasper Morris Organic Chemistry Award
Paul Knotts, a pre-pharmacy major from Keyser, W.Va., was presented with the Jasper
Morris Organic Chemistry Award. This award is named for Professor 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. (Not available for picture.)
Isaiah Wharton receives Mauzy-Harris History Award
Isaiah Wharton, an integrated studies major, from LaVale, Md., was the recipient
of the Mauzy-Harris History Award. This award was created by Pittsburgh Businessman
Sydney Harris in memory of former history professor and dean of Potomac State
College, Frank Mauzy. (Not available for picture.)