FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2016

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

May 2016 HPS Graduates: (l-r) Quentin Murphy, Autumn Harkins, Joseph Overbaugh, Samantha Fulks, Tyler Fortney, Bobbie Payne, Ben Stingo, Allison Taylor, Levi Lynch, Casey Burdette, and Ben Neal

GLENVILLE, WV - Eleven Glenville State College Hidden Promise Scholars (HPS) were recognized as graduates of the Hidden Promise program at a ceremony held on April 27. The students, Casey Burdette, Tyler Fortney, Samantha Fulks, Autumn Harkins, Levi Lynch, Quentin Murphy, Ben Neal, Joseph Overbaugh, Bobbie Payne, Ben Stingo, and Allison Taylor, all completed their GSC degrees at the conclusion of the spring semester.

GSC President Dr. Peter Barr welcomed the students and congratulated them on their accomplishments. “We acknowledge the hard work and stamina that will entitle your membership in an exclusive and privileged society of college degree attainment. I say ‘exclusive’ because in central West Virginia only one-in-ten residents holds that membership and in the nation barely four-of-ten is a member. I say ‘privileged’ because that degree will entitle added opportunities. Over a lifetime you will earn more, enjoy greater job satisfaction, stay healthier, and live longer - that’s what the data shows. I would hope that the Hidden Promise program has been instrumental in your achievement,” said Barr

Following a special dinner in their honor, the students gave brief remarks recalling their times at GSC and in the Hidden Promise program.

Casey Burdette, from Clay, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies Education. In his comments he expressed thanks to President and Mrs. Barr and the faculty and staff in GSC’s Education Department. He counted the trip he and other scholars took to Cincinnati as one of his favorite memories of his time in the program. After leaving GSC he plans to teach at a middle or high school and pursue a Master’s Degree.

Tyler Fortney, from Elkins, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. He thanked the faculty and noted that he was a seventh generation graduate from Glenville State College. Fortney counted the many people he had met and the friends that he made through the HPS program as one of his favorite things about being a Hidden Promise Scholar. He plans to attend law school after graduation.

Samantha Fulks, from Millstone, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics Education (5-adult). During her time at GSC she served on the Student Government Association and was president of Chi Beta Phi, the national math and science honor society, where she represented GSC at two national conventions. In her comments at the dinner she recounted her last trip to Myrtle Beach with other members of the Hidden Promise Scholars Program as one of her favorite parts of the program. She also extended thanks to Associate Professors Larry Baker (her uncle) and Paul Peck, her parents, and her sister. After graduation she plans to begin teaching in West Virginia.

Autumn Harkins, from Grantsville, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science. During her college career she was a member of Chi Beta Phi, the national math and science honor society, was vice president of the Behavioral Science Club, and was a mentor for the Hidden Promise Scholars program. She told those in attendance that her favorite part about being in the program were the trips and the opportunity to be a mentor to high school students. She plans to pursue a Master’s in Social Work after graduation.

Levi Lynch, from Creston, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. During his comments to the attendees of the dinner he thanked the faculty and staff in the Fine Arts Department and counted the cultural trips as his favorite part of the Hidden Promise Scholars program. After graduation he plans to work in the recording industry.

Quentin Murphy, from Mount Zion, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. While at GSC he worked in the Admissions Office as a Student Ambassador, worked as a Resident Assistant for three years, served as Vice President of the Art Society, was Public Relations Executive for the Student Government Association, and was a member of Pioneers for A Cause among his involvement in other campus activities. He extended his thanks to many campus staff members who helped teach and mentor him. Murphy has accepted a position in the Admissions Office at Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi.

Benjamin Neal, from Mount Nebo, West Virginia, graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education and Music. In his time at GSC he participated in a variety of ensembles including marching and concert band, concert choir, woodwind ensemble, sax quartet, sax choir, jazz band, jazz combo, chamber singers, and percussion ensemble. He was also secretary for GSC’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education for two years. In his comments he thanked President and Mrs. Barr for welcoming the students to their home for pizza parties and said his favorite thing about the Hidden Promise Program were the end-of-year trips. Neal also thanked Assistant Professors Lloyd Bone and Teresa Dody. He plans on teaching in West Virginia for a few years and then continuing his education.

Joseph Overbaugh, from Mount Zion, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Science Education and Chemistry. During his time at GSC, he was a member of Chi Beta Phi, the American Chemical Society, and the Student Government Association. He explained to those in attendance how he enjoyed getting to graduate with three of his friends from Calhoun County. Overbaugh plans to pursue a career in science education after graduation.

Bobbie Payne, from Webster Springs, West Virginia, graduated with a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree. She worked as a summer camp counselor for the Hidden Promise Scholars Program and served as President of the Behavioral Science Club during her time at GSC. At the dinner she recalled fond memories of the special trips that she and the other scholars took. After graduation she plans on moving, exploring more job opportunities, and starting the next chapter of her life.

Ben Stingo, from Buckhannon, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. During his college career, Stingo was a member of many musical ensembles, his favorite being the GSC Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble. As a Hidden Promise Scholar, he enjoyed the trip to Myrtle Beach during his junior year. After graduation he plans to pursue a master’s in trombone performance and then a doctorate. He hopes to teach trombone at a college level or to teach music in a public school.

Allison Taylor, from Bickmore, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science. During her time at GSC she served as Student Government President and was secretary of the Art Club. She also participated in the ROTC program. Taylor said her favorite part of the program were the cultural trips, the pizza parties, and making many new friends. She now plans to attend Marshall University and obtain a Ph.D. in psychology.

In addition to accepting a plaque and commemorative class ring, the new graduates also inscribed the Hidden Promise Book. In signing the volume, graduates commit to ‘always accepting the obligations and the challenges of guiding the young to education, knowledge, and love of the human spirit; to demonstrate respect for all people, and cultivate the trained, yet free, minds appropriate to sustaining and advancing a democratic way of life; and to striving to become knowledgeable, ethical, caring citizens who embody the qualities that the Hidden Promise program fosters.’ The students became official GSC graduates on Saturday, May 7 after GSC's Commencement Ceremony.

The Hidden Promise Scholars program is a component of GSC’s Hidden Promise Consortium. The program is an alliance between Glenville State College and county school districts throughout West Virginia and in Ohio and Connecticut aimed at improving communication between higher education and teachers, staff, and students in grades eight through 12. Other goals include increasing the number of high school and college graduates as well as aligning the curricula of K-12 and higher education.

Students are often inducted into the program while still in high school after being chosen by their school counselors, teachers, and principals. The scholars mentor with current college students and take part in campus visits and annual summer camps. Upon high school graduation, HPS students who opt to attend GSC receive a $1,000 scholarship which is renewable annually throughout their enrollment as a full-time student.

For more information on the GSC Hidden Promise Scholars Program, contact Program Director Teresa Sterns at Teresa.Sterns@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6100.