In February 2025, counties in southern West Virginia faced destructive flooding – uprooting communities, infrastructure, and residents alike.
Chambers alumna and Nicholas County native Sydney Cowell knows from firsthand experience how devastating a flood can be.
Knowing what a bank is and how a bank operates are two very different things. Through the WesBanco Externship program, Chambers College students like me were able to experience the culture, understand the challenges, and define the details of a local relational bank. Seeing the faces and factors that influenced banking firsthand was an enriching experince for all that were involved in the program.
The externship began with a dinner at WesBanco’s office where we were encouraged to network with WesBanco employees, allowing us to make connections that lasted beyond the externship.
A change of plans isn’t always a bad thing—just ask Pittsburgh native Kelsey Riemer.
In 2024, Riemer graduated from West Virginia University with majors in psychology and communication studies and a minor in general business administration. However, the idea of committing to a long and uncertain career path left her scrambling to figure out what came next.
When West Virginia University calls, Nima Mohebbi answers. Hopping on a Zoom call, he first offers to fix his hair and clothing. As a lawyer, he understands the importance of presentation.
As a Chambers College graduate, he also understands the importance of an economic mindset.
WVU Career Fair (n): a loud, lively room with hundreds of students all dressed to impress potential employers and secure their dream jobs.
That might not be the definition for Merriam-Webster, but it is for Mary-Kathrine Morris, a West Virginia native and Management Information Systems major in the Chambers College.
When I first entered college, I viewed supply chains as simply getting goods from Point A to Point B. As a supply chain major, I quickly realized how complex they really are, especially after participating in last year’s Race to the Case competition at Pittsburgh University.
When Dr. Saldanha invited me to participate in the Pittsburgh Case Competition, I knew that this was a perfect opportunity to place myself in a positive learning environment with peers from various universities. During the competition, my teammates and I – coming from the Supply Chain and Industrial Engineering programs – worked together to apply what we knew from both our studies and industry experience to solve a case specifically created for the event.
On Saturday, December 21, 243 students – 146 undergraduate and 97 graduate – celebrated their commencement from the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University.
Some will continue their education immediately, pursuing advanced degrees and other academic opportunities. Others will focus on their professional careers, ready to make their mark on a wide range of fields and industries.
As the year comes to a close, it's time to step back and look at the big picture. 2024 has been filled with milestones for the Chambers College community – accomplishments and innovations, successes earned and lessons learned. All those milestones are like the pieces of a puzzle, interconnected, coming together to support a singular vision.
That vision is our commitment to educating and transforming our students in ways that support the prosperity of West Virginia and the world.
All the world's a stage, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation major Bella Randle is on her way to being a major player.
This past summer, Randle interned for The Lost Estate – a live theater experience located in central London that immerses guests in stage performances through food, decor and music. There, Randle experienced all aspects of the theater business, from collecting receipts for expense reports to sitting in on casting calls.
Planning a successful event can be a challenge for anyone. However, when your company’s banking on an event to launch a product, entertain potential clients, or any number of other things, the stakes are a little higher than picking the right playlist.
Just ask the students in Professor Frank DeMarco’s hospitality event planning class. Throughout their senior year capstone course, students in the Hardy Family Hospitality and Tourism Management program plan and execute a comprehensive event, applying their learned knowledge in real-world business settings.