The WVU Potomac State College Alumni Association recently announced that four people will be honored during the College’s Homecoming events October 1-4, 2026.
The four alumni chosen for the 2026 honors are Tiffany Ann (Sine) Orlando, K.C. Cross, and John and Pam Wilkinson.
Tiffany Ann (Sine) Orlando has been selected for the 2026 Young Alumni Award. Orlando began her higher education at WVU Potomac State College, where she attended from 2012 to 2014. During her time at Potomac State, she was actively involved in the Agriculture and Forestry Club, Campus and Community Ministries, Catamounts Against Cancer, and Equine Club. Orlando continued her education at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, earning an Associate of Applied Science degree before completing a Regents Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at Shepherd University in 2018. She earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2026 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration degree.
Following her education, Orlando built a successful career in federal service, serving in executive support within the intelligence community. Throughout her career, she has supported senior executives, coordinated high-level organizational initiatives, managed executive operations, and facilitated collaboration across multiple organizations in support of national security missions. Beyond her professional career, Orlando has dedicated countless hours to volunteer service throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
She is an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Berkeley/Martinsburg Unit 14, where she has served in numerous leadership positions and worked to support veterans, active-duty service members, military families, and youth programs. She is also an active committee member with Scouting America and previously served as a Scoutmaster, mentoring young people and promoting leadership, citizenship, and service. In addition, Orlando is a member of the Order of the Arrow Onerahtokha Lodge 297, Scouting America’s National Honor Society, which recognizes those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Scout Law through cheerful service. She has also served as an assistant club leader with the Berkeley County 4-H program, helping to mentor youth and promote leadership, citizenship, and life skills. She and her husband, Matthew Orlando, reside in Martinsburg.
The Young Alumni Award was established in 2005 to recognize the achievement of the most recent generation, highlighting one individual whose actions have served as an inspiration and motivation to others. The honorees are chosen by an ad hoc committee in May, and the award is presented at the Homecoming Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame reception each fall. The distinction is granted to a recipient who has graduated or transferred within the last 15 years, not to exceed 35 years of age. and to a recipient who has demonstrated distinctive achievement in a career, civic involvement, or both, or recognized as being at a higher level in their career than might be expected at this time period or recognized for community service.
A native of Elkview, West Virginia, K.C. Cross has been selected to receive the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award.
Cross’ early life on a small farm was marked by adversity. Losing his mother as a toddler and being adopted twice, he learned that hardships could either define a person or fuel the determination to rise above them. Cross said he chose the latter—turning hardship into motivation.
Cross attended Elkview Junior High and Herbert Hoover High School, where his athletic talent and competitive spirit flourished through basketball, football, and track. He continued his academic and athletic career at WVU Potomac State College (1986–1988), earning an Associate of Arts in Business Administration and Management, serving as a resident assistant, and playing on the Men’s Basketball Team. After PSC, he furthered his academic and athletic career at Maryville College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (1990), followed by a Master of Business Administration from Lynn University (1994) and professional certificates in Real Estate Investing and Commercial Real Estate from Cornell University (2024).
Over the past three decades, Cross has built a distinguished career as a business leader, real estate developer, and philanthropist, employing more than 1,300 people across multiple states. He serves as president and CEO of Gulf Blue Capital, leading a diverse investment portfolio focused on luxury residential and multifamily development. He is also the CEO of Mountaineer Development, which specializes in high-end residential, condominium, waterfront, and multifamily communities across the Southeast.
Beyond his business accomplishments, Cross’ compassion and generosity define his legacy. He founded the Cross Family Foundation, which has funded numerous COVID-19 relief efforts, including the transport of medical supplies and vaccines across Florida using his own aircraft. His Foundation also supports foster children, elder care initiatives, and community programs that strengthen families. This Foundation has provided scholarships for foster children to pursue higher education and has initiated programs to improve the quality of life for seniors in nursing facilities.
Cross’ philanthropic services include leadership with Heart Gallery, Make-A-Wish, Centers for Aging and Rehabilitation of Florida, and Junior Achievement of South Florida, where Cross serves as a board member. The new Fort Lauderdale YMCA has been named the “KC Cross Family Y” in recognition of his extraordinary generosity and leadership. Today, Cross and his wife, Tabatha, reside in Florida. They have one son and five daughters.
The Alumni Achievement Award was established in 1975 by the Board of Directors of the WVU Potomac State College Alumni Association. The Honorees are selected in May, and the award is presented each fall. The award is designed to honor PSC alumni who have a record of distinguished service and exceptional accomplishment in any field of endeavor that brings honor to the recipients and their Alma Mater. The recipients should be outstanding in their career or profession and be involved in civic activities, humanitarian causes, and/or in creative endeavors in the arts.
John and Pam Wilkinson have been selected to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the WVU PSC Alumni Association. The Wilkinsons have exemplified exceptional service, leadership, and lifelong commitment to WVU Potomac State College and the Alumni Association. Their contributions extend well beyond ordinary volunteerism, reflecting a shared dedication to strengthening the College’s mission and the alumni network through decades of leadership, mentorship, and service.
As officers with the PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Wilkinsons have played a transformative role in revitalizing alumni engagement and governance. Under Pam Wilkinson’s leadership, the Board modernized its structure, enhanced communications, and expanded programming to connect alumni with current students. John Wilkinson’s stewardship as Treasurer ensured the Association's financial integrity and long-term sustainability.
Beyond their officer roles, both Pam and John have invested significant personal time and expertise in strengthening the bridge between alumni and the College. They were instrumental in launching new scholarship opportunities for PSC students, supporting campus events, and advancing fundraising initiatives that promote academic and student success. Their outreach helped grow awareness of the Alumni Association's mission among graduates and community members across the region.
A 1979 graduate in Agriculture, Pam Wilkinson built a distinguished career in systems safety and engineering, leading high-level safety initiatives for defense and aerospace programs. Since retiring, she has continued to serve PSC as a resolute advocate for alumni involvement and student development. John Wilkinson, a 1978 Forestry graduate, served 32 years in the federal government with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security before retiring as a senior program manager. The Wilkinsons credit PSC with providing the foundation for their education, their marriage, and their continued service to others.
The Distinguished Service Award was established in 1975 by the Board of Directors of the Potomac State College Alumni Association. The honorees are chosen in May, and the award is presented at Homecoming events in the fall. This award is designed to honor those who have made exceptional contributions, provided services, and have a dedication to WVU Potomac State College and/or its Alumni Association.
For more information on the 2026 honorees or for more details about WVU Potomac State College Homecoming activities and events from October 1-4, visit https://give.wvu.edu/event/2026-wvu-potomac-state-college-homecoming-alumni-weekend/e804724