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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In its inaugural year, the State Journal’s WV Business Leadership Award for chief operating officer of a medium-sized business goes to Joshua Hall, dean of the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics. Hall has been the dean of the John Chambers College since August 2021. But he’s been with the university for 16 years, including three as a student. Prior to becoming dean, Hall attended Ohio University. He was initially hopeful to teach social studies to high school students. But all that changed when he took his first economics class.

“I wanted to be a hockey coach, and I wanted to teach high school social studies. And then I thought, ‘Oh, this is really what I want to do. I want to teach the college level,’” he said. Economics, Hall said, “seemed natural” to him, saying “it’s the way I think about the world.” “I love the fact that it’s one foot in social sciences and one foot in business,” he said, noting the science of understanding the economy as a system can also help individuals with their own decision-making.

For West Virginia University students, the end of a calendar year is special for more than winter break: it marks the Commencement of another class of Mountaineers.

On December 20, the John Chambers College of Business and Economics celebrated the class of winter 2025 at the Hope Coliseum in Morgantown. Crossing the stage, students met President Michael T. Benson, who was conducting his first WVU Commencement.

Robert Leary wants to know how the world works. He’s interested in big questions: why do people do what they do? What motivates them? What empowers and disadvantages them? 

His goal is to become a lawyer. Thanks to his time studying economics at West Virginia University, he’s already on his way there. 

For senior marketing major and Indiana native Grace Bowersox, social media isn’t just a hobby: it’s a career.

Bowersox started creating public content in high school after some encouragement from her friends.

Bank fraud might not be highway robbery in the literal sense, but when it comes to high-profile financial crimes, fraudsters are the modern-day equivalent of the Old West's bandits.

On the other side of the law, Seth Bullock and Wyatt Earp have retired to the history books, but Kylee Reyes is stepping up to take their place.

Sometimes, finding your place is the first step to finding your purpose.  

Just ask Parkersburg native Alia Ott. In December 2025, Ott will graduate from West Virginia University with a Supply Chain Management major and an International Business minor.

"In higher education, we often think of years in terms of the academic calendar, which begins and ends in the warmer months. December, however, is the perfect time to reflect on the past 12 months and remember our challenges and successes alike.

"Some of 2025’s biggest moments in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics are gathered here, ranging from academic improvements to sweeping service projects. They’re emblematic of many things: the hard work of our students, the diligence of our faculty and staff, and the achievements of our alumni. More than that, they’re emblematic of the fulfillment of our land-grant mission.

“I love golf – everything about it.”

With that, you know Weston White.

When it comes to helping students stay in school, Retention Specialist Marlenea Brand knows honesty is the best policy.

“I was on academic notice as a freshman,” Brand said. “I had a 1.7 GPA. I’m more than happy to say that out loud for anyone to hear.”

Chambers alumnus Aidan Priest knows what it means to be a Mountaineer. In fact, he was once a finalist to serve as the University's mascot. It’s about more than buckskins and coonskin caps: it’s about the shared identity that unites generations under the WVU banner.

Thanks to that Mountaineer mindset, Priest is connecting students, alumni, and communities as outreach events program coordinator in the University’s offices of Corporate Relations and Government Relations.