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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2017

For more information:
Public Relations Department
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(304) 462-6394
Dustin.Crutchfield@glenville.edu

President Barr addresses the graduates and guests at the May 6th Commencement Ceremony

GLENVILLE, WV – ����ֱ�� State College’s 143rd Commencement Ceremony took place on Saturday, May 6 in the college’s Waco Center.

The ����ֱ�� State College Class of 2017 includes graduates who completed requirements for an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in a variety of academic areas including business, criminal justice, teacher education, and natural resource management among others. The GSC Class of 2017 is made up of approximately 110 students who hail from throughout West Virginia and nine other states.

Retiring ����ֱ�� State College President Dr. Peter Barr delivered the keynote address to graduates and guests. Barr, who has been at the helm of the nearly 145 year old institution since 2006, is retiring at the end of the current academic year.

2017 Student Leadership Award recipient Samuel Canfield (right) with President Barr

In his address Barr likened himself to the spring graduates, noting that he too is preparing to make a big adjustment in his life. “I, like you, will soon depart this campus for new adventures. I’ve come to respect and love the students and faculty who make this campus come to life,” he said. Barr also compared the junction in the graduate’s lives to the single traffic light in downtown ����ֱ��; “We approach that single stoplight one more time and ask – ‘where do we go next?’ – this is a time for us to think ahead and move forward.” President Barr also repeated a favorite line in which encouraged the students to endeavor to “make the world a little better place.”

Members of the GSC Class of 1967 who returned to take part in the ceremony as 50 Year Graduates

The title of Faculty Emeritus was bestowed upon retiring professors Dr. Milan Vavrek and Wayne de Rosset. In addition to teaching in the Department of Land Resources, Vavrek has also served as the College’s Vice President for Academic Affairs since July 2015. de Rosset leaves the institution after 43 years of service in the Department of Language and Literature. The College’s Board of Governors also recognized Senior Vice President for Student & External Relations James W. Spears with Vice President Emeritus status and President Barr with President Emeritus status. Additionally, GSC Foundation Board Treasurer Mary Lee McPherson was presented with an honorary degree.

2017 Faculty Award of Excellence recipient Dr. Lloyd Bone (right) with President Barr

Eleven members of the GSC Class of 1967 returned to campus and were honored as fifty year graduates; seven of those participated in the official ceremony on Saturday. Recognizing the fifty year graduates has become a tradition at GSC’s Commencement Ceremony.

Individual awards also were presented during the ceremony to an outstanding faculty member and graduate. Associate Professor of Music Dr. Lloyd Bone received the 2017 Faculty Award of Excellence and the 2017 Student Leadership Award was given to graduating senior biology and chemistry student Sam Canfield of Cowen, West Virginia.

“Each of you should take great pride in your success. You should leave this occasion proudly and ready—or nearly ready—to take your places in the world. At ����ֱ�� State, you have committed your time, your energies, and your passions in the successful pursuit of the knowledge and skills to be productive citizens,” said President Barr in closing comments to the graduates.

Fall classes at GSC will begin on Monday, August 14, 2017. For information on enrolling and beginning your journey as a GSC Pioneer, visit www.glenville.edu or contact the ����ֱ�� State College Office of Admissions at (304) 462-4128.