MORGANTOWN — As WVU Commencement goes into the weekend, Saturday May 12 the College of Education and Human Services saw the graduating class of 2018 move their tassels to the left and then head out into the world as educators.
The commencement speaker was Colonel Kristen Casto. She is the director of the Audiology and Speech Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and also the hearing conservation consultation to the Army Surgeon General.
Elizabeth Chavis, graduated Saturday in speech pathology and audiology. She is from San Antonio, Texas, and is going to graduate school at Our Lady of the Lake University back in her hometown. She said she was excited about graduating, and a little scared for grad school. She said she was going to miss Morgantown but she worked really hard to get to where she is. She is a member of the Honors College and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
“I’m going to get my master’s in speech pathology and right now I’m thinking maybe early intervention, I just really want to work with kids and try and make a difference maybe,” she said.
The commencement was seen off with Provost Joyce McConnell, who recognized the crowd and graduates for their enthusiasm. “I love a rowdy bunch,” she said.
The crowd erupted as the graduates were presented, applause and cheers filled the Coliseum. She said she was delighted to be there with today’s graduates, tomorrow’s leaders.
She said as graduates of the college of Education and Human Services, they would be ready to take on immense responsibilities. She said they will educate the next generation of innovators, help people overcome painful challenges, give counseling for speech therapies or treat patients in clinical practice.
“Make your work an expression of love in a world in need,” she said.
She urged them to maintain commitment to excellence, and enthusiasm for learning, because passionate learners make passionate teachers. She told them to dream big in their careers that enrich, improve and save lives.
After the graduates turned their tassels, the crowd cheered once more. The graduates all stood and sang “Country Roads.”
Though the students are excited to graduate, they will miss their second home in Morgantown.
“I like the community. When I came here I was from Texas, I didn’t know anybody and it was just like ‘Once you’re Mountaineer, you’re a Mountaineer,’ ” Chavis said.
Zack Butts also gradated on Saturday with his master’s in elementary education. He is excited to start his career with everything he’s learned.
“The best thing about WVU is the camaraderie found among the students, staff and everyone here. I always felt someone had my back in every situation I was dealt. I’m really going to miss the people I met and created relationships with that have careers going in different directions or places from mine,” he said.
He said he plans to teach special education abroad with the Department of Defense or in Charles County, Md.
