MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Sunday concluded a full weekend of commencement ceremonies for students of West Virginia University in Morgantown.
The 14th and final ceremony Sunday, held in the WVU Coliseum, saw more than 1,000 graduate and undergraduate students receive their diplomas. Almost 4,500 students in total graduated from WVU over the weekend.
According to Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Greg Dunaway, it’s the first time in a while that both graduate and undergraduate students participated in a graduation ceremony together.
Dunaway offered his thanks as well as many words of wisdom to the students Sunday.
“You have all achieved something very special,” Dunaway said. “As you go forward, commit to a life that reaffirms our Mountaineer values.”
Greg Dunaway has been Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences since 2016. The college is the university’s largest academic college.
Before the roughly 1,000 students lined up to receive their diplomas, Dunaway applauded the students for making it through many challenges in their education, including having to learn for a good portion of it during the covid pandemic.
“You will be bound by an educational experience that could only be had at our great university,” said Dunaway.
Commencement Weekend wraps up today at @WestVirginiaU. All the best to you, graduates! 💛💙#WVUgrad pic.twitter.com/eeSsFeyAsU
— WVUToday (@wvutoday) May 14, 2023
West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee made things official. Students in navy blue and gold caps and gowns became alumni. The longtime university President began his address to students with some laughs, reading a few letters he had received from parents with graduating kids.
“West Virginia University charged us tuition but I figure any institution willing to take my son for four years deserves any penny it can get,” one letter read.
President Gee also made note of the students being able to work hard and achieve so much during the pandemic.
“Despite everything, this generation kept it going and their resilience is awe inspiring,” Gee said.
More words of wisdom were offered to the graduates.
“When in doubt, just take the next small step,” said President Gee. “Patience and perseverance will help you obtain almost any goal.”
A moving of the tassels from right to left and the singing of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” solidified the students into becoming West Virginia University alumni.