May 11, 2019 – West Virginia University at Parkersburg held its spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. in the College Activities Center. The college awarded 244 certificate and associate degrees as well as 114 bachelor’s degrees to 272 students this semester.

Dr. Chris Gilmer, WVU Parkersburg president, gave the opening remarks and introductions. In his message to graduates, he encouraged them to use their education for the greater good, hoping their mentors at WVU Parkersburg helped them along life’s journey.

“The vision of this university is to be the region’s premiere college, recognized for quality education, commitment to student empowerment, workforce collaboration and community involvement,” said Gilmer. “I hope we have taught you not with our words, but with our deeds, modeling for you the behaviors of good citizenship.”

Sharon O’Neill, the state’s eldest community and technical college graduate presented the commencement address.

O’Neill, born Feb. 6, 1936 in Parkersburg, holds many life experiences as she was a single mother of five children, and witnessed many monumental events including the JFK assassination, the Civil Rights Movement and World War II. Each challenge and change O’Neill met, she conquered with a belief in herself and encouraged graduates to do the same.

“Think of what you have accomplished. Each of you have met challenges of various kinds, and you still may be facing them,” said O’Neill. “But say to yourself, ‘I conquered those challenges…I will conquer whatever I need to.’”

O’Neill received a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree with a 3.83 GPA.

Distinguished commencement guest Chad Shealy, superintendent of the Vicksburg Warren School District in Vicksburg, Miss., also gave graduates words of encouragement. Shealy is a first-generation college graduate and credits the sacrifices of past family generations for his current accomplishments.

“Higher education is always so important to all of those who made it possible for me, even though life never allowed them to obtain one for themselves,” said Shealy.

Passing on guidance to the graduates himself, Shealy also challenged them to embrace their unique purpose in life stating, “There are many graduates before you that participated in a commencement ceremony much like yours today. However, there has never been another you, and there will never be another you. That is an awesome truth to consider; that you have something to offer that no one else will be able to provide.”

Also during commencement, WVU Parkersburg recognized Andrew Walker as the Bernard P. McDonough Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year. Walker, an assistant professor of criminal justice, received his Masters of Science in Criminal Justice from Marshall University and is currently a PhD candidate in Social and Behavioral Science from West Virginia University. He is also the advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa Sigma Omega Chapter honor society and student criminal justice organization on campus.

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg and its community of graduates, visit www.wvup.edu. Fall classes are now enrolling for those interested in becoming a graduate too. Call 304-424-8310 or visit our campus for more information.