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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2015

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

GLENVILLE, WV – Nine ����ֱ�� State College Hidden Promise Scholars (HPS), Gabriella Brown, Kaitlin Deem, Seth Doss, Caitlin Gwinn, Ryan Hubbard, Madison Martin, Travis Nesbitt, Corie Nicholson, and Rockelle Shackelford, were recognized as graduates of the Hidden Promise program at a ceremony held at the end of April.

GSC President Dr. Peter Barr welcomed the students and congratulated them on their accomplishments. “These graduates represent a critical step toward fulfilled potential; they will soon hold a ����ֱ�� State College diploma. With that sign of documented perseverance, they are joining an exclusive society, and with that membership comes broad recognition of their energy, commitment, stamina, focus, and ambition. I salute them on earning this high distinction,” said Barr. The students became official GSC graduates on Saturday, May 9 after GSC’s 141st Commencement Ceremony.

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

Gabriella Brown, from Calhoun County, West Virginia, graduated with a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree. While at GSC she was an active member of Alpha Rho Tau (GSC’s art club). After graduation she plans to return to ����ֱ�� State to complete her Elementary and Middle School teaching degrees and later work toward a Master’s in Education Theory and Practice.

In her speech Brown spoke about how much she enjoyed being in the program. “I felt very honored when I was first asked to join the Hidden Promise Consortium. Everyone in the program has been very nice to me,” said Brown.

Katelyn Deem, from Wirt County, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree. While at GSC she earned spots on both the President’s and Provost’s Honor Rolls several times. After graduation she plans on furthering her education and hopes to become a principal.

“My favorite part about being a Hidden Promise Scholar was mentoring 30 high school students in Fayette County. That aspect of the HPS program is a really good thing that benefits both the mentor and the mentees. I'm glad that I was able to help guide them in reaching their goals and hope that I was the mentor to them that I wish I would have had in high school,” said Deem.

Seth Doss, from Pocahontas County, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management. During his college career he played two years of football at Marshall University before transferring to ����ֱ��. After graduation, he plans on attending Pierpont Community and Technical College to pursue a degree in Electrical Utility Technology and work as a lineman.

Seth shared these comments about his Hidden Promise experience, “I want to thank my parents and the HPS staff – especially Marlon [Henry] and Stacy [Adkins]. Being at GSC, you feel very welcome and everyone knows one another. Where else could you go turkey hunting in the morning and still go to class in the afternoon?”

Caitlin Gwinn, from Nicholas County, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science degree. While at GSC she was on the Provost’s Honor Roll List, a member of ROTC, a member of the West Virginia National Guard, Secretary of the Behavioral Science Club and of Sigma Pi Xi. After graduation, she plans on attending Concord University to obtain a Master’s Degree in Social Work and hopes to work with young children.

“I have been fortunate to be in this program which has taught me so much about myself. I've learned how to be a leader through working at the summer camps. My advice to future graduates is to push forward and try; the faculty and staff here will help you and you'll get through it,” said Gwinn.

James ‘Ryan’ Hubbard, from Clay County, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree. While at GSC he was an active member of the Army ROTC Program. After graduation he plans to enlist as active duty in the United States Army as a Chaplin.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the HPS program. Sometimes it's easy to forget how scary going to college can be. The people at GSC do their best to ease that process,” said Hubbard.

Madison Martin, from Nicholas County, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in management. While at GSC she was a four-year member of the Lady Pioneer Basketball Team and made the Provost’s Honor Roll List all four years. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a business career with a major company.

“After four years of playing basketball, I can say that it has consumed a lot of my time. I want to thank Dr. and Mrs. Barr for their support…they attend nearly every game. My advice to future graduates is to take it slow; you'll be here sooner than you think. Be sure to study and meet as many people as you can. And remember, the professors are here to help you,” said Martin.

Travis Nesbitt, from Lewis County, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree in Administration of Justice. While at GSC he was a member of ROTC, Student Government Association President, Student Representative to the GSC Board of Governors, attended a meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and attended the Campus Allies Mission to Israel. He has since been commissioned as a Signal Officer in the United States Army National Guard and will attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Gordon, Georgia with follow on duty in the 151st Military Police Company in Gassaway, WV.

“I want to say thanks to my fellow graduates, my friends, parents, Dr. and Mrs. Barr, and my professors. The people in this room are my family,” Nesbitt said at the event.

Corie Nicholson, from Roane County, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science. While at GSC she served as a Hidden Promise Mentor. After graduation she plans pursue a Master’s Degree and an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology.

Nicholson shared the following about her experience at ����ֱ�� State, “What I think is so special about GSC is that you get relationships, I just don't see that closeness anywhere else. My advice to future graduates is to remember that what you do here in college is important and to keep pushing to make the world a better place for what you've done.”

Rockelle Shackleford, from Lewis County, West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science. She recalled her favorite Hidden Promise memories, “My favorite part about the HPS program was the high school summer camps. They taught me team building skills and allowed me to meet new friends. I urge others to keep their studies a priority, but never forget to have fun too.”

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 Hidden Promise Scholars program is a component of GSC’s Hidden Promise Consortium. The program is an alliance between ����ֱ�� 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.