Cue Country Roads! Following WVU Potomac State College tradition, we concluded our 2026 graduation ceremony by singing “Country Roads”. As a Michigander, I am always blown away when the entire Church-McKee auditorium sings the song in unison, paying homage to the great state of West Virginia.
As my wife Allyson and I cheered on the WVU Mountaineer baseball team in the College World Series, she couldn’t help but notice the nation’s fascination with West Virginians cueing “Country Roads” after every victory. The past 90 days have been a sprint and transition from closing out our spring semester, welcoming summer camps, and prepping for a delightful Fall 2026.
Highlights
April 20 – Dean Phil Douthitt and I were guests at the Mineral County Board of Education & Potomac Valley Hospital Achievement Awards Banquet. I was so proud to see almost half of these high-achieving students choose WVU Potomac State College for Fall 2026. Special thanks to our mascot, Paws, for making a guest appearance for our incoming freshmen.
Dr. Wallace with 2025 Mineral County graduates who will be attending PSC in the fall.
April 21 – Invited by Brandon Liller, PSC 2025 alum and graduation speaker, I attended the Mineral County Tech Center Car Show. It was a delight bringing out my 1976 Thunderbird for the event!
April 23 – Congratulations to PSC student Laney Rodeheaver, who is recognized as the Student Employee of the Year for our college. You may recognize Laney as she was also a Catamount Climb Higher student award winner earlier this year. Keep up the great work, Laney!
April 24 – The PSC May 2026 Catamount Climb Higher student is Nasir Cheatham. Coaches noted that Nasir serves as a role model for others and is always willing to help younger students by providing encouragement and guidance.
Dr. Wallace and Nasir Cheatham
April 26 – Student and Alumni 86th Annual Recognition Day highlighted great alumni like James Morgart. More than 60 students and faculty were recognized by WVU Potomac State College for academic excellence and outstanding contributions to higher education. Here is a full list of the winners.
Dr. Wallace and James Morgart, PSC Alumni
April 26 – CESPYS - Catamount Excellence in Sports Participation Yearly Awards! The annual CESPYs celebrate the accomplishments of Potomac State athletes throughout the year. Congratulations to all the nominees and specifically to the award winners for the year:
Freshman of the Year (Women): Cassidy Cumberledge (Women's Cross Country)
Freshman of the Year (Men): Jaxon Drennen (Baseball)
Scholar Athlete of the Year (Women): Sarah Iman (Volleyball)
Scholar Athlete of the Year (Men): Will Boddy (Men's Cross Country)
Catamount Culture Award (Women): Meghan Harris (Women's Soccer & Women's Basketball)
Catamount Culture Award (Men): Nasir Cheatham (Men's Basketball & Men's Track & Field)
Athlete of the Year (Women): Skyla Compton (Softball)
Athlete of the Year (Men): Rodney Vilsaint (Men's Basketball)
For the full recap, check out the press release!
AD Mandi Larkin and Dr. Megan Webb present awards to Catamount athletes.
April 28 – PSC Classified Staff Luncheon: Congratulations to Marie Post, the 2026 Outstanding Classified Staff Person of the Year! Learn more about her great work.
Marie Post accepting her classified staff award
April 30 – During Quad Fest, the PSC culture action team organized a Sweet & Savory Employee Potluck. Things got deliciously competitive at WVU Potomac State College’s first-ever Sweet & Savory Social! Faculty and staff brought the flavor to the Student Union with a spread of mouthwatering dishes—from sugary sweets to bold, savory bites. Micah Pears’ cookies were the top vote-getters!
PSC Sweet & Savory snack table
April 30 – PSC leaders attended the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Dinner. Lt. Gov Randy Smith, Delegate Gary Howell, and Delegate Rick Hillenbrand provided updates and addressed questions from attendees.
May 2 – PSC Baseball wrapped up its season, falling to Harford in the NJCAA Region 20 Championships. Their overall record was 33-14, and Head Coach Doug Little added to his impressive win total, moving into the next academic year with 925 wins.
May 5 – Paul Kreider Celebration was hosted during the week of graduation. PSC celebrated Dr. Kreider’s excellent career and contributions to PSC. The campus shared a video of well-wishes and some Potomac State swag. Paul’s leadership set the foundation for our momentum and culture!
Dr. Paul Kreider and Dr. Wallace
May 8 – Congratulations, Potomac State College 2026 Outstanding Professor of the Year, Caitlin Hudgins. One student shared these comments about Professor Hudgins,
“She genuinely seems like she cares about everyone, whether or not they understand the material and whether or not they pass her class.” I’m proud of Caitlin and all of the PSC faculty for going the extra mile for students.
May 8-10 – WVU Potomac State College hosted the NJCAA Region 20 Division II Tournament. The Catamounts fell to Cecil College in the championship game, wrapping up their season with a 33-7 record.
May 9 – The 123rd Commencement filled the Church-McKee Arts Center with Catamount Pride! Watching families celebrate our students brings us so much joy. This year we had an 83-year-old Vietnam Veteran graduate, Carl Smith. Carl’s story is here.
Dr. Wallace, Sabrina Cave, Terry Hauser, and Carl Smith, student graduate
May 10 – Skyla Compton, Delaney Randolph, and Jaiana Wickline were named to the NJCAA Region 20 Division II All-Tournament Team.
May 11 – New Student Orientation is always hosted on the first Monday after graduation. PSC welcomed families to campus for an energizing New Student Orientation. All NSO attendees are entered into a drawing to win a laptop at Convocation.
Dr. Wallace providing welcome at NSO
May 16 – For the second year, I attended the First Baptist Church Burlington Cruise-in for Christ. This year I decided to bring the 2002 Camaro for the show instead of the 70’s classic. Delegate Howell is always gracious to show me around and introduce me to attendees. Each year I meet a new PSC graduate or alum at the car show.
May 18 – Adison Pritts, Skyla Compton, Delaney Randolph, and Katelyn Cooper were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II All-Region team. Compton, Pritts, Randolph, and Cooper also earned NJCAA Region 20 Division II All-Region honors alongside Maddie Fields and Lacie Miller.
May 23 - Have you heard about our Catamount Cinema Summer Movie Series? This summer, WVU Potomac State College invites community members to the PSC Quad to enjoy a family fun movie and snacks. Learn more here.
June 2 – Skyla Compton was named NFCA All-American for NJCAA Division II. On June 11, she would also be named NJCAA All-American, making her the first woman in Potomac State College history to earn both honors. Compton finished the year ranked 1st in the NJCAA for her slugging percentage of 1.213. She was also 6th for batting average, 8th for on-base percentage, and 15th for home runs in the NJCAA.
June 6 - The Wallace family attended our second Mineral County Strawberry Festival on Saturday. Downtown Keyser was buzzing with goodies, vendors, and fun activities. Kennedy really likes her flowers.
Kennedy holding her flowers from the Strawberry Festival
Downtown Main St.
June 11 – Ace will join me in presenting at the 2026 National Small College Conference in Charlotte, NC. I look forward to sharing about “Ace the Mighty” book tour and community connections. This year, we had the pleasure of sharing the book and program at Burlington Elementary School.
June 18 – Ace and I stopped by Muskegon Community College to drop off a copy of “Ace the Mighty” to one of my former colleagues, Carmella Martinez. It was nice touring their new Hub and seeing the fantastic updates at my hometown community college. Ace is out and about enjoying the summer. Make sure to say “hi” if you catch us walking around town.
Dr. Wallace, Carmella, and Ace
June 20 - Congratulations to Muskegon Community College on an excellent 100-year celebration. It was our delight to support President Selmon and MCC President emeritus Dr. Dale Nesbary.
June 24 - While on vacation in Michigan, I had the opportunity to meet PSC alumnus Mr. Scott Bosley (62’, 63’). I drove 1.5 hrs from Muskegon to Kalamazoo, MI, to meet and have lunch with Scott. Mr. Bosley served as editor of the Pasquino in 1962 and 1963 and has enjoyed a remarkable career in journalism. His professional journey included serving as a sports editor in Akron, working with the Detroit Free Press during the 1980s, and ultimately becoming Executive Director of the American Society of Newspaper Editors. Thanks, Dr. Megan Webb, for making this connection! Let’s Go!!
Dr. Wallace and Mr. Scott Bosley (62’, 63’)
June 29 - Potomac State Athletics continues to offer a wide variety of summer sports on campus. Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Soccer, Men’s Soccer, Baseball, Track & Field, and Softball all have summer camps or clinics occurring. We are thrilled to host future Catamounts on our campus and help them to learn more about the sports they love.
July 1 - WVU Potomac State College Athletics launches a new fan gear store. The online store is open 24/7 for fans to purchase their favorite Potomac State gear and support the Catamounts! During the grand opening sale, use code SPIRIT20 for 20% off your purchase.
Upcoming Events
July 14 – Catamount Cinema on the Quad
July 28 – Catamount Cinema on the Quad