MORGANTOWN —WVU graduated its first students 148 years ago, and on Saturday, more students joined that legacy as they walked across the stage at the Coliseum.
December’s commencement ceremony started with remarks from President E. Gordon Gee, who quoted “one of our age’s greatest philosophers” in saying “thank you, next.” That philosopher is, of course, Ariana Grande.
“Your education’s not just about attaining knowledge. At West Virginia University, our aim is to produce leaders who turn knowledge into meaningful action,” Gee said.
He told the graduates they could go forth into a world that is oftentimes divided, work to unite people as Mountaineers before them have, and turn knowledge into life-changing actions.
“Embrace your unique gifts and unique power to make a difference,” he said.
As graduates of the university, he said the soon-to-be alumni have people who support them and a place where they belong.
After Gee’s remarks Provost Joyce McConnell presented the Presidential Honorary Degree to both Donald Lyle Hoylman and Jack Furst, who is the founder and CEO of Oak Stream Inventors.
Furst also was the commencement speaker, who spoke to the grads of the values his grandfather instilled in him. Furst talked about how he has dyslexia and how his grandfather encouraged him, even when things were rough.
“He would say, ‘Jack, the A and B students work for the C and D students.’ He did everything he could to build my confidence, because he said ‘Jackson, if you have confidence, confidence creates momentum, and with momentum, all things are possible,’ ” Furst said.
Furst left the students with “wisdom from the kitchen table” that his grandfather left him as a young boy, and hoped it would resonate with them. Be kind, don’t waste time and have passion, he said.
“Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit of my heart, my pawpaw Sam Tate. He would have enjoyed this ceremony. … He is with me here today,” he said.
Graduates were recognized as they walked across the stage, in addition to receiving their diplomas, they also received a hug from Gee. Gee shared his own wisdom before the ceremony came to a close.
“Obey the better angels of your nature. Keep in touch with your old friends and stop Snapchatting and Instagramming long enough to make new ones, too,” Gee said.
Students then stood to sing “Country Roads” one more time before leaving the ceremony as college graduates.
Amy Schmid, clad in a yellow gown which signifies an Honor’s College graduate, got her bachelor’s in biology and forensic and investigative science. She said she was happy to be graduating. She’s looking for jobs back home in Maryland but is considering graduate school in the future.
“I’m going to miss all my friends a lot,” she said.
Schmid said she really liked her majors and said her coursework was a lot of fun. She’s hopeful she will find a job soon and wants to help people the best she can.
“I want to be a DNA analyst in a crime lab and hopefully help victims of crime,” Schmid said.
Another happy grad was Juliana Bohrer who received her bachelor’s in criminology.
“I’m gonna try to apply for jobs and get an adult job. You know, that Monday through Friday, 9-5. That’s what I’m hoping for, with health insurance,” she said.
In the future, Bohrer said she would like to join the military. She said she’s going to miss the freedom she had in college and being a student. She’ll also miss the unity she felt at WVU.
“It’s so welcoming here,” she said, “and they have a lot of different perspectives on things.”
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