WVU Potomac State College is proud to announce that Colton “C.J.” Reckline has been named the September 2026 recipient of the Catamounts Climb Higher Award.
The Climb Higher Award is presented monthly during the academic school year to a student who exemplifies resiliency, outstanding work ethic, and kindness and positivity. Reckline is majoring in Business Technology at PSC.
He was nominated as a Climb Higher winner by Assistant Professor Erin Wyer and by Assistant Dean Kara Anderson.
“With an unexpected change in post-graduation plans, C.J. came to Potomac State. Rather than viewing that change as negative, he looked at it as an opportunity to pursue an education,” said Wyer. “C.J. not only shows up to class consistently, but he also shows up with a great attitude. He is always ready to learn and eager to participate. C.J. contributes very positively to the classroom environment. He is hard-working and completes his assignments with thorough excellence. More importantly, C.J. is kind and personable. He is a top-notch student and an equally wonderful person. Potomac State College is lucky to have him.”
Receiving the Catamount Climb recognition for the month of September is an honor, Reckline said.
“This award means that the effort gone into every assignment has paid off, and that my own dedication to my work and hobbies hasn’t gone unnoticed,” he said. “It truly is an honor to be recognized.”
Reckline said he is the kind of curious learner who will continue to seek out answers no matter the challenge.
“I would say one of my more recent challenges would have been my Accounting 201 final, simply because of the focus required to sift through the information given and produce the documents required,” he said. “Despite producing most of my work after two days, I couldn’t wrap my head around why the numbers weren’t adding up. After around a week of struggling to wrap my head around everything, I finally made a breakthrough which allowed me to tie it all together. Through the hard times, I motivate myself, and others, when possible, by refusing to give up until I’ve done all I can with no quarter left.”
Reckline said what drives him to consistently give his best, both in and out of the classroom, is a concerted effort to remain optimistic.
“I want to leave as much of a positive impact as I can on those around me. Part of that is determining where my attention is most needed at the moment and adjusting accordingly so I can avoid burning myself out,” he said. “I try to hold open doors for people, smile a little as I talk, and show gratitude to everyone I can wherever possible.”
Reckline said he seeks inspiration from within and that he has learned much about himself since the beginning of his college career at PSC.
“I’d have to say that my inspiration to keep going even when things get bad comes from within most of the time,” he said. “I know I’m the only one who can improve my situation, but thinking of how I can improve the lives of my friends and family only makes that inspiration burn stronger.”
Please join us in congratulating C.J. for his insight, resilience, and outstanding optimism. He is an inspiration to the Catamount community and a shining example of what it truly means to Climb Higher.