In Fall 2017, West Virginia University freshmen entered Milan Puskar Stadium for the traditional “Monday Night Lights” event during Welcome Week to form our state’s outline in the middle of the field.
On Sunday, May 16, our 2021 graduating class is the first group to end their college career where it all started.
Four years and a pandemic later, our John Chambers College of Business and Economics grads are ready to begin a new journey.
“Each of you learned more than you ever bargained for over the last year – and you learned it fast. In the true pioneering spirit of the Chambers College, you pivoted and successfully learned to navigate the unexpected,” said Javier Reyes, Milan Puskar Dean.
From Zoom meetings and social distancing on campus, many big moments were compromised or changed completely.
But new hope abounds as WVU’s Spring Commencement is here, and we are excited to celebrate the perseverance and dedication our business students have shown both in and outside of the classroom after a challenging year.
We are extremely proud of our 605 business graduates who will turn their tassels on Sunday, as well as some familiar faces from our 2020 class who have traveled back to Morgantown to properly mark an end to their college career.
“The reason I decided to come back and walk in graduation is because, at the time, I didn’t really appreciate getting the opportunity to walk across that stage until I lost it to a pandemic,” said Meghan Donley, a 2020 marketing graduate. “Now, I finally get to walk across that finish line.”
As our students enter our Chambers College alumni family, we are excited to watch them enter the future of business.
Reyes reminds graduates that the jobs of tomorrow will favor those who are prepared to innovate and adapt on their feet.
“Chambers College students are well-prepared to do just that, as you have risen to the challenge together of navigating through the final year of your college education with flexibility and tenacity,” he said.
As our business grads close the door on graduation, many are opening the door to their first job or next opportunity.
Allison Schwartz is a Management graduate who has served as a Chambers College Neidermeyer Scholar and a Peer Career Coach under our Center for Career Development (CCD). She has accepted a job with JLG, part of OshKosh Corporation, in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Bethany Bachman is a Finance graduate who has served as both a Chambers College Student Ambassador and a Peer Mentor. She has accepted a job with United Bank in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Carter Newman is an Econ graduate who was very active in entrepreneurship and innovation. He has been a Chambers College Peer Mentor for the last year and has helped create a start-up organization around Esports tournaments, called North American Collegiate League (NACL).
Olufunmilayo “Fumi” Odeniyi is an Accounting graduate with a Business Data Analytics minor. Fumi will continue her schooling at Chambers College as she was accepted into our Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program. She is originally from Nigeria and has been able to stay in the United States and attend Chambers College because of scholarships.
Ryan Renza is a Finance graduate who was a member of our Student Management Investment Fund (SMIF) group with the leadership of Finance Chair and Associate Dean for Innovation, Outreach and Engagement Naomi Boyd, as well as a Chambers College Student Ambassador and Peer Mentor. He has accepted a job with PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Learn more from these Chambers College graduates as they discuss their future plans here.
Let’s Go!
