Contact: Annette Barnette
Public Relations & Marketing Director
Glenville State College, Glenville, WV
(304) 462-4115
Glenville, WV â Glenville State College now has more than a couple hundred new members of its alumni. Two hundred and forty-six students graduated during the 134th GSC commencement which took place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2008. The students completed requirements for their Associate and Bachelor degrees in a variety of academic areas including business, teacher education, and natural resource management. They come from many West Virginia counties, thirteen other states (Arizona, California, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington), and two other countries (Ireland and Japan). Twenty-five members of the GSC Class of 2008 returned to their alma mater to also be recognized during the ceremony.
West Virginiaâs First Lady Gayle Manchin gave the keynote address. In congratulating the graduates, she encouraged the students to meet new people and travel to new places but to stay in West Virginia for employment after college. Manchin said, âMost of you were born here, but even those of you who have come from other places to attend Glenville State College now have automatic rights as West Virginians. The governor and I want you to stay here in the Mountain State to look for your fame and fortune. We need your enthusiasm, your energy, and your ambition for the future of the great state of West Virginia.â
The GSC commencement ceremony was the second one for President Dr. Peter Barr. He announced that Professor Emeritus titles were conferred upon two members of the GSC Business Department Faculty to acknowledge the value of their accumulated records of teaching, research, and community service. Business Department Chair Dr. Marty Garrett is retiring after 31 years of service to the college, while Business Department Professor Dr. James Hinter served the campus for 35 years. Barr also announced History Professor Dr. Ed Wood received the Faculty Award of Excellence, Student Activities Director Kipp Colvin received the Classified Employee of the Year Award, and Sarah Kidder of Fayetteville was the recipient of the Student Leadership Award.
