WVU Parkersburg hosted its annual fall commencement ceremony, marking a memorable celebration for the fall class of 2024

 Parkersburg, W.Va. (December 14, 2024) — WVU Parkersburg held its annual fall commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 14, 2024, with Keith Burdette, president and chief executive officer of Polymer Alliance Zone, Inc., as the keynote speaker.

Isabella Hileman, president of WVU Parkersburg’s Student Government Association, welcomed students and shared insights from her college journey, encouraging the fall class of 2024 to value their relationships, embrace challenges beyond their comfort zones and view graduation as the start of an even greater journey.

“Graduation is not an end, but instead it’s a part of a longer journey. Wherever the future takes you, let it be somewhere bright,” Hileman said.

Burdette highlighted the importance of the lessons that come after college, urging graduates to embrace mistakes as valuable learning opportunities and to remain open to the possibilities ahead. Drawing from his own experiences, he shared that his most meaningful lessons in life have stemmed not from success, but from failure. These challenging and often unwelcome moments, he explained, have profoundly shaped his actions and taught him to truly appreciate success.

“Take what you do seriously, but don’t take yourself so seriously. Don’t be afraid to laugh at the mistakes,” Burdette said. “Be the best you can be at whatever you choose to be, but laugh at yourself a little along the way.”

With a career spanning public service and economic development, Burdette has held prominent roles, including cabinet secretary for the West Virginia Department of Commerce and executive director of the West Virginia Development Office, where he attracted major companies like Procter & Gamble and Gestamp to the state. Burdette, the youngest Senate president in West Virginia’s history, also served in the House of Delegates and held influential advisory roles under Governors Earl Ray Tomblin and Bob Wise. In addition to leading significant industrial expansions and workforce programs, he continues to drive domestic and international business recruitment, contributing to West Virginia’s economic growth.

In her presidential remarks, Dr. Torie Jackson highlighted the history of higher education, the legacy of WVU Parkersburg and key steps students should take to move forward.

“Our success has been based on our ability to be adaptable and make necessary changes. The same skills you have learned are the ones we apply to redevelop ourselves and match the needs of our communities,” Jackson said. “It’s why we start new degrees. It’s why we reinvigorate others. Our mission still is to cultivate economic and social progress. We will continue to elevate and so should you.”

In closing, Jackson left graduates with an empowering message, “As you enter the next part of your life, have confidence, be proud of your accomplishments and know that you are ready to achieve more.”

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of 123 graduates who proudly crossed the stage, with a total of 330 students earning certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees, pending final grades.

The full fall 2024 commencement ceremony is available to watch online at https://www.youtube.com/wvuparkersburg.  For more information about WVU Parkersburg’s programs and opportunities, visit https://www.wvup.edu.