Featured Archives - SA国际传媒 /category/featured/ Distinction & Excellence Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:40:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Featured Archives - SA国际传媒 /category/featured/ 32 32 D&E Makes History with Launch of First Graduate Program 鈥 Master鈥檚 in Sport Management Coming Fall 2026 /de-makes-history-with-launch-of-first-graduate-program-masters-in-sport-management-coming-fall-2026/ Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:35:34 +0000 /?p=15372 Davis & Elkins College will mark a new milestone in fall 2026 with the launch of its first graduate program, a Master of Science in Sport Management, designed for students who want to move quickly into leadership roles in athletics, coaching and the business of sport.

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Elkins, W.Va. 鈥 SA国际传媒 will mark a new milestone in fall 2026 with the launch of its first graduate program, a Master of Science in Sport Management, designed for students who want to move quickly into leadership roles in athletics, coaching and the business of sport. The innovative one-year program blends academic rigor with hands-on learning, preparing graduates for the rapidly growing opportunities in the sport industry.

鈥淲e are thrilled to be able to offer our first master鈥檚 program, in Sport Management, beginning in the fall of 2026,鈥 says Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike Mattison. 鈥淭he program will offer the same small class sizes and close relationships with faculty members that our undergraduate programs do, and it will prepare students for a variety of opportunities: in coaching, in athletic administration, and within businesses that have a sport and/or recreation focus.鈥

The demand for sport professionals continues to rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 30,000 coaching and scouting jobs will be created by 2029, and growth across the field is outpacing many other industries. SA国际传媒鈥檚 one-year format means graduates can earn their degree and enter the workforce faster, ensuring a strong return on investment.

With sport management at the crossroads of athletics and business, the new master鈥檚 is designed to attract students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. From athletic departments and nonprofit programs to professional clubs and recreation-focused businesses, opportunities await those with the skills to lead.

Sport Management has already proven to be one of SA国际传媒鈥檚 most popular undergraduate programs, offering a coaching education emphasis in tandem with business courses in marketing, finance and accounting. The new graduate degree builds on this momentum, expanding opportunities for advanced study while staying true to the College鈥檚 commitment to personalized instruction and experiential learning.

鈥淚 am happy and excited for the launch of the new Master鈥檚 in Sport Management degree for Fall 2026,鈥 says department Chair Mary Ann DeLuca. 鈥淭his first master鈥檚 program is an important step forward for SA国际传媒, the Sport Science Department, and for the entire academic community. The College鈥檚 mission is to prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world. With the growing projections in sport business, students who study in the Sport Management master鈥檚 program at SA国际传媒 will be equipped with strategic, analytical and critical thinking skills to thrive and advance in job opportunities in the growing world of sport.鈥

The global sports market is projected to grow into the billions by 2030. With its unique curriculum and emphasis on applied learning, SA国际传媒鈥檚 program gives students a competitive edge in a worldwide industry. The College鈥檚 distinctive setting, offering the intimacy of small class sizes combined with hands-on partnerships at the local, state and national levels, ensures graduates are not only well-prepared academically but also professionally connected.

Applications for the Master of Science in Sport Management open November 1, 2025. Students can expect a program that reflects the hallmarks of a SA国际传媒 education: close faculty mentorship, experiential learning, and preparation for meaningful careers.

For more information or to ask questions about the program, prospective students may contact Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca at delucam@dewv.edu.

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President Chris A. Wood Signs Five-Year Contract Extension /president-chris-a-wood-signs-five-year-contract-extension/ Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:42:41 +0000 /?p=15009 The Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees has announced a five-year contract extension for President Chris A. Wood, securing his continued leadership through the 2031 academic year.

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Elkins, W. Va. 鈥 The SA国际传媒 Board of Trustees, following a unanimous vote, has announced a five-year contract extension for President Chris A. Wood, securing his continued leadership through the 2031 academic year. This marks Wood鈥檚 fourth contract since beginning his tenure on August 1, 2016. The Board negotiated the five-year extension well ahead of Wood鈥檚 current contract expiration in 2026 to ensure seamless leadership as the College enters its 121st year. The extension is a testament to the board’s confidence in Wood’s vision and accomplishments for the College.

鈥淚t is my honor and privilege to announce the signing of an agreement to extend President Chris A. Wood鈥檚 leadership of SA国际传媒 through the 2030-2031 academic year,鈥 said Dave Cutlip, Chair of the SA国际传媒 Board of Trustees. He added, 鈥淎gainst a global pandemic, the FAFSA debacle, declining enrollments across the nation, and questions about the value of a college education, President Wood has successfully implemented campaigns that brought new residential construction to campus for the first time in 50 years. He also sought an energized faculty and staff to expand on the mission of the College and enhanced relationships among the greater Elkins community.
Cutlip continued, 鈥淲e look forward to President Wood鈥檚 implementation of the College鈥檚 new strategic plan and his guidance over increased enrollment and retention rates, alongside new programs of study that meet the interests of prospective students. Under his leadership, we鈥檒l celebrate 125 years as SA国际传媒 in 2029 as he continues to guard our heritage of providing a sound liberal arts education in an ever-changing world. The Board of Trustees can think of no better leader for the College in these times.鈥

During Wood鈥檚 tenure at SA国际传媒, the institution has achieved many impressive milestones. The 鈥淪ecure the Future鈥 campaign was successfully completed in 2018, raising $101.4 million. The college is also nearing the completion of its 鈥淐reating Home鈥 campaign, having secured 94% of the $25 million goal to create a new “Freshmen Village.” A $7.5 million addition to the Myles Center for the Arts was completed in 2021. Glory Residence Hall, an $18 million project, opened in 2024 with no debt. Numerous new academic programs have been launched during his tenure, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program established in 2019. The college is also preparing to launch the first master’s program in its history in 2026.

鈥淲ith deep gratitude to the Board of Trustees, I am honored to sign this contract extension to lead SA国际传媒 through 2031,鈥 says Wood. 鈥淥ver the past nine years, Lisa and I have come to love this unique College that transforms lives. The faculty and staff are some of the finest and most dedicated people we have ever met, and the students – from across the state, country, and the world – inspire me daily. While many small private colleges face headwinds, Davis & Elkins is thriving. I truly believe the best days for this institution are ahead. Our journey together continues, and I am grateful.鈥

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Davis & Elkins College Students Recognized for High Academic Honors for Spring 2025 /davis-elkins-college-students-recognized-for-high-academic-honors-for-spring-2025/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:13:31 +0000 /?p=14507 Davis & Elkins College has released the president鈥檚 and dean鈥檚 list for the Spring 2025 semester.听 The president鈥檚 list includes all full-time students who earned a 4.0 grade point average for the semester, while those named to the dean鈥檚 list include all full-time students with a semester grade point average of 3.6 to less than […]

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SA国际传媒 has released the president鈥檚 and dean鈥檚 list for the Spring 2025 semester.听 The president鈥檚 list includes all full-time students who earned a 4.0 grade point average for the semester, while those named to the dean鈥檚 list include all full-time students with a semester grade point average of 3.6 to less than 4.0.

Those earning the distinction of president鈥檚 list: Sidney Apanowicz, Fairmont, West Virginia; Christyna Armijo, Glendale, Arizona; Alena Armstrong, Belle, West Virginia; Lauryn Baker, Morgantown, West Virginia; Bella Beaver, Elkview, West Virginia; Jaden Bender, Philippi, West Virginia; Addison Berdine, Elkins, West Virginia; Caden Blizzard, Moorefield, West Virginia; Logan Bradish, Latrobe, Pennsylvania; Filippo Buffo, Legnago, Italy; Samy Burd, Boca Raton, Florida; Brenda Castro, Manvel, Texas; Mohamed Chaabane, La Soukra, Tunisia; Hillary Channell, Huttonsville, West Virginia; Kristin Coleman, Parsons, West Virginia; Callee Collins, Belington, West Virginia; Jennifer Cook, Elkins, West Virginia; Olivia Cook, Foster, West Virginia; Eric Cooke, Frankford, West Virginia; Sydney Cooper, Elkins, West Virginia; Duarte Correia, Almada, Portugal; Richard Davis, Dundalk, Maryland; Erin Dettinger, Elkins, West Virginia; Alexander Dickinson, Elkins, West Virginia; Jacob Dowdy, Cool Ridge, West Virginia; Tanner Eaves, Beverly, West Virginia; Garrett Eddy, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania; Madeline Edicola, Sandston, Virginia; Lydia Falkenstein, Tallmansville, West Virginia; Greydon Fischer, Washington, D.C.; Trinity Fleming, Temecula, California; Erin Fogg, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Savannah Foley, Lake Stevens, Washington; Deylana Forrest, Groveland, Florida; Peyton Friel, Marlinton, West Virginia; Roger Gabbert, Elkins, West Virginia; Shamus Gallo, Canada; Maria Garcia, Brazil; Alayna Garst, Williamstown, West Virginia; Leona Gemmel, Bonn, Germany; Abril Gerenschtein, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cooper Gibson, Ona, West Virginia; Jackson Gibson, Ona, West Virginia; Victoria Gill, Moundsville, West Virginia; Emiliana Golac, Bolivia; Makenzie Gregory, Jane Lew, West Virginia; Jillian Griffin, Wheeling, West Virginia; Julie Gutierrez, Perris, California; Jacob Hamrick, Norton, West Virginia; Yiftah Harari, Srigim-Li On, Israel; Savannah Hardman, Martinsburg, West Virginia; Axel Hedreux, Rennes, France; Lisa Hinchman, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Julianne Hobson, Trenton, Ohio; Brook Jacobs, Fort Ashby, West Virginia; Luka Kalinic, Vrsac, Serbia; Kristia Kouppi, Cyprus; Erin Laubscher, Durbanville, South Africa; Rafaela Leao Cota Moreira, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Maybellene Ledesma, Anaheim, California; Roberto Leonardi, Zola Predosa, Italy; Aiden Lloyd, Beverly, West Virginia; Lauren Lockwood, Barboursville, West Virginia; Addison London, Lawrence, Kansas; Francisco Lopez Kreik, Funes, Argentina; Courtney Luikart, Liberty, West Virginia; Mackenzie Lyons, Davis, West Virginia; Zoe Mackey, Saint Albans, West Virginia; Johan Magana, Fellsmere, Florida; Kelsey Mahanes, Beverly, West Virginia; Anthony Martins, Bras, France; Haylie Marumoto, Honolulu, Hawaii; Alisha McCauley, Elkins, West Virginia; Rebecca McClenahan, Edgewater, Maryland; Madisyn McDaniel, Elkins, West Virginia; Carter McKenna, Culloden, West Virginia; Sidney Megna, Fairmont, West Virginia; Or Megnazi, Portland, Oregon; Gracie Metheny, Elkins, West Virginia; Aidan Miller, Elkins, West Virginia; Alyson Miller, Elkview, West Virginia; Payton Miller, Union, West Virginia; Jacob Milligan, Elkins, West Virginia; Tomas Miyagi, Argentina; Cassie Monk, Elkins, West Virginia; Alyssa Moss, Belington, West Virginia; Marshall Mounts, Washington, Pennsylvania; Victoria Noonan, Albright, West Virginia; Liebe Oosthuizen, Oudtshoorn, South Africa; Santiago Ordonez, Jamundi, Colombia; Christopher Osborn, Upperville, Virginia; Melisa Ozsar, Turkey; Lucio Pavicich, Rosario, Argentina; Simone Perin, Lainate, Italy; Hannah Phillips, Coalton, West Virginia; Hattie Pilcher, Huntington, West Virginia; Autumn Plauger, Elkins, West Virginia; Ariona Plumley, Parsons, West Virginia; Lillyan Plumley, Parsons, West Virginia; Jaden Pratt, Elkins, West Virginia; Jake Rallo, Middle River, Maryland; Jocelyn Ramos-Chears, Columbus, Ohio; Ryan Rasco, Hagerstown, Maryland; Varshith Reddy Marreddy, India; Jaela Reid, Jessup, Maryland; Keira Robinson, Snellville, Georgia; Rebecca Rodrigues, Winter Garden, Florida; Lelia Rolandi, Parissinos, Cyprus; Gracjana Rozanska, Swinoujsce, Poland; Lorena Ruiz-Rubio, Long Beach, California; Ricardo Salas, Elkhart, Indiana; Catalina Salas Ortega, Curridabat, Costa Rica; Thomas Salvan, Verona, Italy; Kerem Sariaslan, Ankara, Turkey; Karen Saucedo, Saltillo, Mexico; Jennifer Scheuvront, Philippi, West Virginia; Nicole Schumacher, Clarksburg, West Virginia; Lincoln Scott, Elkins, West Virginia; Brycen Sechler, Meyersdale, Pennsylvania; Nicolas Serrano, Zaragoza, Spain; Bethany Settle, Charleston, West Virginia; Tanisha Seymour, Nassau, Bahamas; Rohan Shah, Bangkok, Thailand; Aleah Sharp, Mill Creek, West Virginia; Thomas Shaver, Morgantown, West Virginia; Hunter Shields, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Emily Smith, Varney, West Virginia; Ruby Smith, Masontown, West Virginia; Jacob Stairs, Greensburg, Pennsylvania; Shelley Steff, Elkins, West Virginia; Charla Stemple, Parsons, West Virginia; Lillian Stephens, Marlinton, West Virginia; Wesley Strawderman, Parsons, West Virginia; Victoria Sturm, Clarksburg, West Virginia; Macaden Taylor, Marlinton, West Virginia; Jan Thewes, Schmelz, Germany; Chloe Travelstead, Fairmont, West Virginia; Ana Ubalde, Elkins, West Virginia; Alina Vallentgoed, Assendelft, Netherlands; Julia Vasconcelos Vieira, Brazil; Bailey Verkouteren, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia; Madeline Veser, Germany; Wouter Vondeling, Friesland, Netherlands; Cassidy Wallace, Loganville, Georgia; Jarrett Walters, Morgantown, West Virginia; Lydia Wamsley, Valley Bend, West Virginia; Rebekah Warren, Hambleton, West Virginia; Lilly Wentzler, Pfaffenhofen, Germany; Josephine Whorton, Moundsville, West Virginia; Bailey Wildman, Mill Creek, West Virginia; Spencer Wiley, Pocatello, Idaho; Christopher Wirahadipoernomo, Indonesia; Grey Wolford, Capon Bridge, West Virginia; Ian Wood, Evans, West Virginia; Tom Zimerman, Israel.

Those earning the distinction of dean鈥檚 list: Linzey Allard, San Jose, California; Avelyn Anderson, Saint Paul, Minnesota; Emma Andrews, Altavista, Virginia; Wesley Athey, Bedford, Pennsylvania; David Bailey, Elkins, West Virginia; Kyle Ball, Oviedo, Florida; Eli Ballantyne, Elkins, West Virginia; Brendan Barnett, Elkins, West Virginia; Nicholas Barrickman, Beverly, West Virginia; April Belcher, Warrenton, Virginia; Rosanna Bell, Elkins, West Virginia; Talia Berardo, Poughquag, New York; Edoardo Berini, Oakdale, Connecticut; James Besten, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Wyatt Betler, Parsons, West Virginia; Jule Beuck, Hamburg, Germany; Tristan Blatt, Barboursville, West Virginia; Angelina Bochard, Montevideo, Uruguay; Britney Bond, Selbyville, West Virginia; Nicole Bramble, Elkins, West Virginia; Grace Bronkella, Greenwood, Indiana; Brittany Broschart, Coalton, West Virginia; Jocelyn Burnside, Hambleton, West Virginia; Shelby Calain, Elkins, West Virginia; Zachary Calef-Boring, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Jasper Clark, Beverly, West Virginia; Lindsay Clendenen, Buckeye, West Virginia; Zak Collins, Cork, Ireland; Taylor Cooper, Bruceton Mills, West Virginia; Kelsey Corcoran, Wentzville, Missouri; Matthew Crookes, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa; Allison Cuellar, Stafford, Virginia; Reanne DeBose, Shawnee, Kansas; Alyssa Deleonibus, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; TraBi Diakite, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Angela Dimitro, Elkins, West Virginia; Cortney Dobbs, Pataskala, Ohio; Malia Galan, Hamilton, Canada; Bradden Galassi, Waretown, New Jersey; Emma Gioia, Vacaville, California; Lucy Gonzalez, Wallback, West Virginia; Carson Gorby, Paden City, West Virginia; Jorge Gordillo Ramirez, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Jacob Greene, Elkins, West Virginia; Liam Greenlief, Parsons, West Virginia; Roberta Grey, Elkins, West Virginia; Mattia Gulli, Sirtori, Italy; Heather Hayes, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Alyssa Haynes, Pataskala, Ohio; Hodge鈥檔ay Henderson, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Meg Henkle, Rockford, Ohio; Ariana Hinton, Waukesha, Wisconsin; Jacklyn Howell, Coalton, West Virginia; Eloise Hutton, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, France; Elias Jarn, Habo, Sweden; Nicholas Jerome, Elkins, West Virginia; MacKenzie Jones, Washington, D.C.; Roy Kegley, Quinton, Virginia; Vivian Kerr, Dundee, United Kingdom; Amber Kesling, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Timothy Kovacs, Sarasota, Florida; Charles Kretchman, Fargo, North Dakota; Fabienne Lahn, Blies Ebersing, France; Hannah Lennon, West Fargo, North Dakota; Avery Linthicum, Frederick, Maryland; Sean Maphosa, Sweden; Isabella Martinelli, Chicago, Illinois; Stephen Matlack, Hacksneck, Virginia; Daphne McCann, Stockton, California; Tyler McCune, Richwood, West Virginia; Gadea Melgarejo, Spain; Dylan Miller, Knoxville, Maryland; Aunah Morales, Elkins, West Virginia; Frederique Morin, Sainte-Foy-Sillery-Cap, Canada; Taylor Mudd, Sheridan, Wyoming; Brooke Nicklaus, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Emmanuel Oladeru, London, United Kingdom; Marcos Pacheco Padilla, Spain; Andrea Pannell, Wytheville, Virginia; Kaitlin Pappas, Elkins, West Virginia; Rashaun Parker, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Morgan Perry, Modesto, California; Justus Petersilie, Ratingen, Germany; Kelvin Probst, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania; Samuel Rached, Cividad de Panama, Panama; Gabriel Ray, Elkins, West Virginia; Ariana Rectenwald, Saint Albans, West Virginia; Corbin Reilly, Bethesda, Maryland; Charlie Ressler, Weston, West Virginia; Walter Ridgley, Dewittville, New York; Marina Saviceva-Noti, Odessa, Florida; Bracie Sheets, Marlinton, West Virginia; Mark Shelley, Dundalk, Maryland; Ava Sherman, Jessup, Pennsylvania; Alyssa Shine, Maidsville, West Virginia; Nicolas Silva, Ocoee, Florida; Manuella Silva Cogliatti, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Taha Sleiman, Lebanon; Madison Smith, Brea, California; Rachel Snedden, Hundred, West Virginia; Chiebuka Soribe, Silver Spring, Maryland; Andrea Stanziola, Panama; Tristan Starks, Grand Prairie, Texas; Kasey Stemple, Parsons, West Virginia; Ke鈥檡a Stevens, Irving, New York; Damian Stevenson, Athens, West Virginia; Ethan Streeter, Axbridge, United Kingdom; Maximillia Sutherland, Garland, Texas; Charles Taylor, Alexandria, Virginia; Christian Tejeda, Hialeah, Florida; Rebecca Tellez, Hagerstown, Maryland; Giacomo Tomasina, Milano, Italy; Sophia Toscano, Bradenton, Florida; Sasha Tristram, St Neots, United Kingdom; Lauren Twyman, Vinton, Ohio; Sophia Van Nederveen, Springfield, Virginia; Sierra Walesheck, Forest Lake, Minnesota; Taytum Walls, Tempe, Arizona; Haden Wamsley, Hambleton, West Virginia; Mallikye Ware, Davis, West Virginia; Mercedes Wegman, Mill Creek, West Virginia; Abigail Wilfong, Parsons, West Virginia; Kimberly Winoker, Crystal Lake, Illinois; Clayton Wooten, Elkins, West Virginia; Viktor Yanev, Sofia, Bulgaria.

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Feels Like Home /feels-like-home/ Thu, 15 May 2025 15:32:37 +0000 /?p=14210 You might think, given her last name, that Chloe Travelstead would have come a long way to attend Davis & Elkins. Yet, it is just 74 miles from D&E to her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. Part of the reason for that is that both places give her a strong sense of community, and of […]

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You might think, given her last name, that Chloe Travelstead would have come a long way to attend Davis & Elkins. Yet, it is just 74 miles from SA国际传媒 to her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. Part of the reason for that is that both places give her a strong sense of community, and of home.

鈥淔airmont is a town that I have called home for most of my life,鈥 says Travelstead. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a welcoming town where everyone seems to know each other. It’s a place filled with beautiful hills, a strong sense of community, and a slower pace of life that makes it feel like home.鈥

That was the same feeling she had when she came on SA国际传媒鈥檚 campus. 鈥淚 first toured SA国际传媒 after Girls State,鈥 she says, 鈥済oing into my senior year of high school. At this point I had no idea where I wanted to go to college. However, when I stepped on this campus, I felt at home.鈥 Even other campus visits did not change her mind. 鈥淲hen I toured other schools, I found myself comparing them to SA国际传媒 and I couldn鈥檛 shake the feeling that this is where I belonged.鈥

While in Fairmont, Travelstead attended Fairmont Senior High School, where she was a first-team All-State member of the lacrosse team that won three state titles. Continuing her playing career was important, too. 鈥淚 wanted to play lacrosse in college since middle school,鈥 she says, 鈥渁nd when I first had my call with Coach Pomeroy, I knew this was the place.鈥 Travelstead, who was also an Academic All-American, received an Emerging Leaders scholarship, and that cemented her decision.

Travelstead, who recently graduated this spring, has, not surprisingly, excelled in the classroom. She is a Psychology & Human Services and Criminology double major, and is attending Marshall University this fall, in pursuit of a doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD). That degree, she says, will help her obtain 鈥渓icensure as a clinical psychologist鈥 so she can establish 鈥渁 practice that serves rural communities.鈥 She also wants to 鈥渃ollaborate with local domestic violence services to support survivors with therapeutic practices, and intervention strategies.鈥 听It is all about 鈥渁dvocating for underserved and vulnerable populations,鈥 says Travelstead.

That perspective was shaped by some powerful classes, and some powerful faculty. 鈥淢y victimology course impacted me because it was the first time I had ever studied a subject from the victim鈥檚 perspective,鈥 says Travelstead. 鈥淚t also made me realize that I had a passion for working with people who have been victimized.鈥 That course was taught by Dr. Ronda Engstrom. 鈥淚鈥檝e worked closely with Dr. Engstrom throughout my education,鈥 says Travelstead, 鈥渁nd she has consistently supported and encouraged my goals.鈥

Of course, Travelstead admits that it is hard to pick only a few faculty members in her time at SA国际传媒. 鈥淓very professor that I have had,鈥 she says, 鈥渉as supported me and has made me grow as a student or in my personal life.鈥 Dr. Garrison played a key role in guiding her through the graduate school application process, offering valuable insight and advice. Professor and Dr. Morgan 鈥済o above and beyond for every student, always bringing a sense of positivity and enthusiasm into the classroom.鈥

Travelstead believes that her psychology coursework provided a strong foundation in ethical principles, ensuring that she would approach clinical practice with professionalism and integrity. Meanwhile, her studies in criminology deepened her understanding of the justice system and its intersection with mental health. She also strengthened her interpersonal skills in an interpersonal communications course.

All those courses culminated recently in Travelstead鈥檚 capstone project, titled 鈥淓mpowered: The Role of Risk Factors and the Cycle in Survivor Stories.鈥 She says, 鈥淭he most important lesson I took from my capstone experience was that if you have a passion or curiosity, you can turn it into meaningful research that not only deepens your understanding but can also make a real impact. My interest in interpersonal violence and trauma fueled every step of the project, and I learned that following what truly matters to you leads to more authentic, committed, and rewarding work.鈥

For any student thinking about college, Travelstead wants them to know that SA国际传媒 鈥済oes the extra mile to make you feel a part of the community. The professors care about their students and you will feel prepared for life after college.鈥

And, it feels a lot like home.

 

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Rereading Nature /rereading-nature/ Mon, 05 May 2025 15:12:47 +0000 /?p=14147 听 听 听 听 听 Henry David Thoreau famously said that he 鈥渨ent to the woods鈥 because he 鈥渨ished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if [he] could not learn what it had to teach.鈥 Willow Ferguson has a similar goal, though her approach might call into question […]

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听 听 听 听 听 Henry David Thoreau famously said that he 鈥渨ent to the woods鈥 because he 鈥渨ished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if [he] could not learn what it had to teach.鈥 Willow Ferguson has a similar goal, though her approach might call into question some of Thoreau鈥檚 conclusions.

Ferguson, a double major in Environmental Science and English (Writing), with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), will spend the summer studying nature writing through the Critical Disability lens. She says she has been interested in analyzing the nature writing canon since she took an American Nature Writes course her first year at SA国际传媒. There, she said, she was 鈥渋ntroduced to all able-bodied authors, who narrate their experiences of exploring the natural world.鈥 That didn鈥檛 capture Ferguson鈥檚 perspective. 鈥淎s a disabled individual who also loves spending time in the natural world,鈥 says Ferguson, 鈥淚 found the canon is lacking different perspectives.鈥 She wants to expand the offerings so that more people can see themselves in, and connect with, nature.

Ferguson鈥檚 work this summer will be supported by the , a competitive research award sponsored by the Appalachian College Association. In her application, Ferguson wrote: 鈥淣ature writing holds a unique place in the US literary canon, and in recent decades it has gained popularity in academia with the rise of environmental criticism. A significant number of colleges and universities across the country offer nature writing courses in which they introduce students to classics of that genre, such as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Wendell Berry, and many more. While these are key figures of this genre, many of these authors adopt ableist assumptions about who can access the natural environment and how best to experience nature. These assumptions have important implications for how we imagine and discuss nature writing, outdoor recreation, and conservation today.鈥

One of the main goals of the project is to find other voices to include. Ferguson wants to 鈥渄evelop fresh ideas for ways in which we can reimagine and expand the nature writer鈥檚 literary canon for future generations.鈥澨 She believes that it 鈥渨ill always be important to remember the forefathers of this genre,鈥 but 鈥渋t is also critical to adapt the canon and expand it to include new ideas and more modern ways of thinking.鈥

Helping her move forward in her work will be Dr. Sebastian Williams, her faculty mentor for this project. Williams, who has worked with Ferguson in several classes over the last few years, including Rhetorical Theory and Professional & Technical Writing, believes that 鈥渉er research on disability and environmental writing offers important insights about making nature writing and conservation more accessible.鈥 In addition, Williams believes that Ferguson鈥檚 鈥渨ork in local journalism and environmental education also speaks to her passion for, and commitment to, these topics.鈥

Ferguson regularly writes a column for a local newspaper and has also published work in the Highlands Voice, the mouthpiece of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. Furthermore, she worked as an intern during the 鈥淲oods Program鈥 in 2024, a nature writing retreat funded by the Modern Language Association, which connected high schoolers with Appalachian writers, activists, and conservationists.

Coming to SA国际传媒 from Greenbrier East High School, and raised in Monroe County, Ferguson was drawn to the College because she loved the campus and the atmosphere. 鈥淭he small class sizes and one-on-one time with professors drew me in,鈥 she says. 鈥淎nd its placement among the rolling hills of West Virginia felt like home to me. I have grown so much here, developed new interests, made lifelong friends, and received excellent mentorship and amazing opportunities.鈥 When she talks with prospective students, she tells them that SA国际传媒 has 鈥減rofessors who genuinely care for each individual student, and, although it is a small school, possibilities here are endless.鈥 SA国际传媒, she says, is 鈥渟mall but mighty.鈥

After graduation next spring, Ferguson is planning on graduate school. Although she is still a bit unsure about what she wishes to study, she is considering Environmental Journalism, Creative Writing, and Environmental Science.

For now, though, her focus is on the woods, and learning what they have to teach, not just for Thoreau, but for all of us.

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Davis & Elkins College Welcomes Keynote Speakers During Commencement Weekend /davis-elkins-college-welcomes-keynote-speakers-during-commencement-weekend/ Thu, 01 May 2025 16:03:23 +0000 /?p=14137 Davis & Elkins College proudly welcomes three distinguished keynote speakers during events taking place amid Commencement Weekend on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10.听 During the College鈥檚 Nurses鈥 Pinning Ceremony, Baccalaureate Service, and Commencement, Deborah Tysor, Rev. Goodwyn Bell, and Nikki Bowman Mills will serve as honored guests and speakers, respectively. Commencement Weekend culminates […]

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SA国际传媒 proudly welcomes three distinguished keynote speakers during events taking place amid Commencement Weekend on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10.听 During the College鈥檚 Nurses鈥 Pinning Ceremony, Baccalaureate Service, and Commencement, Deborah Tysor, Rev. Goodwyn Bell, and Nikki Bowman Mills will serve as honored guests and speakers, respectively.

Commencement Weekend culminates with the College鈥檚 116th Commencement ceremony, held on Saturday, May 10, in Harper-McNeeley Auditorium.听 Nikki Bowman Mills will serve as keynote speaker for the graduates of the Class of 2025.听 Mills graduated magna cum laude from West Virginia University, receiving a Bachelor of the Arts in Slavic Studies and International Studies, with a minor in Russian and History.听 She also holds a Master of Arts in Writing/Publishing from DePaul University, and she is the founder, president, publisher, and editor of New South Media (NSM) since 2008.听 NSM is responsible for such magazines as WV Living, WV Weddings, Wonderful West Virginia, and SA国际传媒鈥檚 own Forward Magazine.

鈥淏eing invited to speak at SA国际传媒鈥檚 Commencement is not just an honor 鈥 it鈥檚 an opportunity to celebrate the College鈥檚 student-centric focus and the hard work and vision of a new generation poised to shape the future,鈥 says Mills.听 鈥淚 am truly humbled and excited to be part of such a transformative moment in their lives.鈥

The College鈥檚 Baccalaureate Service takes place on Friday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m. in Harper-McNeeley Auditorium.听 Rev. Goodwyn 鈥淕oodie鈥 Bell will serve as keynote speaker for the event.听 Rev. Bell is an ordained Minister of Word & Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), serving as the senior pastor of Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church in Durham, N.C. since 2024.听 Goodie is a native of Memphis, TN and is a graduate of the University of Richmond and Duke Divinity School.听 Prior to seminary, she spent five years as a campus minister with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Richmond.听 She served the congregation at Blacknall as an associate for 10 years, working with young adults, small group ministry, and Christian education before her call to serve as senior pastor.

鈥淩ev. Bell comes to SA国际传媒 with an abundance of experience as a Presbyterian pastor working alongside institutions of higher learning in Durham, North Carolina,鈥 says SA国际传媒鈥檚 Benfield-Vick Chaplain, Dr. Franklin Tanner Capps.听 鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of a better person to help our new graduates and their families celebrate their accomplishments this spring through worship.听 As someone who鈥檚 heard her preach many times, I鈥檓 eager for this community to hear Rev. Bell鈥檚 baccalaureate message.鈥

Deborah 鈥淒eb鈥 Tysor serves as keynote speaker for SA国际传媒鈥檚 47th annual Nurses鈥 Pinning Ceremony on Friday, May 9 at 4:00 p.m. in Senate Commons within the Myles Center for the Arts.听 Tysor holds nationwide licensure, coordinating care for cancer patients across the country, and remains committed to establishing connection with organizations geared toward growth and sustainability within the state of West Virginia.听 She holds a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership from WV Wesleyan College and is an alumna of SA国际传媒, graduating summa cum laude.

鈥淢y favorite quote, especially geared toward the field of nursing, is to 鈥榖e the change you wish to see in the world,鈥欌 says Tysor.听 鈥淵ou cannot just wait for others to do this; you must be actively engaged and committed to making our world a better place.鈥

鈥淐ommencement Weekend is a celebration of the mission of SA国际传媒 and the accomplishments of the Class of 2025,鈥 shares SA国际传媒 President Chris A. Wood.听 鈥淲e are blessed by each of our keynote speakers whose extraordinary life experiences will inspire our graduates as we celebrate this significant milestone in their lives.听 Joy shall abound on the campus of SA国际传媒!鈥

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A Change in Direction /a-change-in-direction/ Mon, 28 Apr 2025 18:58:44 +0000 /?p=14119 鈥淐ome play for me.鈥 Hearing those words, Isabella (Bella) Martinelli changed directions. She had been prepared to start school at a small college in Wisconsin, ready to play lacrosse and major in Nursing; but, when David Pomeroy said he had the opportunity to coach at another school and wanted her to join him, she listened. […]

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鈥淐ome play for me.鈥

Hearing those words, Isabella (Bella) Martinelli changed directions. She had been prepared to start school at a small college in Wisconsin, ready to play lacrosse and major in Nursing; but, when David Pomeroy said he had the opportunity to coach at another school and wanted her to join him, she listened.

鈥淗e just gave me the name of the school, not the location,鈥 she says. When she and her family looked up Davis & Elkins and learned it was in West Virginia, they hesitated. Would she actually leave Chicago for Elkins? She decided that she needed to see the place, so once she graduated high school on Thursday, the family hopped in the car at 3 a.m. on Friday and made the drive down.

They arrived during a rainstorm and drove the wrong way on the commuter lot driveway: not a great start.

However, after they had a tour, and talked with Senior Director of Enrollment Management and Student Success Angie Scott, Bella says she 鈥渇ell in love with the hominess鈥 of the place. She drove back to Chicago on Saturday, filled out her application on Sunday (while doing her hair for prom) and then was accepted on Monday. Four years later, she has no regrets鈥攕he ended up playing lacrosse and majoring in Nursing, just 800 miles away from where she originally planned.

She also found her next adventure, having been accepted to an oncology ICU residency program at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting,鈥 says Bella. 鈥淭he program helps you gradually adjust to being a floor nurse, rather than being thrown to the wolves.鈥

Bella credits the nursing staff at SA国际传媒 for preparing her for this next step. 鈥淭he professors are incredible,鈥 she says, 鈥渁nd treat you like their own kids.鈥 She calls Professors Valerie Posey, Victoria Klinger, Christina Swecker, and Karen Seel the 鈥渉eart and soul of the program.鈥 They are the 鈥渇our pillars that hold the nursing students together.鈥 In addition, the small size of SA国际传媒 provides a close-knit community that offers support and encouragement. It also, given its location, allowed Bella to get a 鈥渄ifferent perspective on nursing,鈥 by connecting her with rural hospitals. She saw how 鈥渟tandards of care could differ鈥 based on location, especially after she completed a summer internship back in Chicago at Swedish Hospital.

Of course, it wasn鈥檛 all nursing classes. Bella remembers a first-year film class with Professor Lonnie Martin. 鈥淗e still remembers my name after four years,鈥 says Bella. 听The class was 鈥渁 lot of fun,鈥 but also 鈥渁 lot of scary movies,鈥 which meant stepping out of her comfort zone.

And there is lacrosse, with the coach who brought her to SA国际传媒, David Pomeroy. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the driving force,鈥 says Bella. 鈥淲e had about twelve girls on the field my first year,鈥 she says, 鈥渁nd now we have 28. It鈥檚 been incredible to watch.鈥 She says the team has created a culture with such a positive atmosphere, and it extends beyond the field. You can often find the team gathering together for different college activities鈥攋ust this semester they all went to see SA国际传媒鈥檚 production of Peter and the Starcatcher, to support their announcer, Jon Bennett, who played the pirate Black Stache. They also went, says Bella, 鈥渂ecause Coach loves plays.鈥

To give herself something else to do, Bella also serves as a Student Ambassador, welcoming prospective students to campus (and hopefully telling them the correct way to drive on the commuter driveway). Bella says that she recommends to any incoming student that they 鈥渄o things that scare you and try to talk to everybody.鈥 That approach has helped Bella claim friends from around the world. 鈥淚 have friends from Canada and Rio,鈥 she says. 鈥淢y friends at state schools don鈥檛 have that.鈥

Earlier this semester, Bella鈥檚 contributions to the SA国际传媒 community were recognized with the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award. The award recognizes an outstanding senior woman and is given in recognition of fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living, athletic achievement, success in business, professional ability, political leadership, or mere worldly prominence in any calling.

After graduation, Bella plans to take her nursing exam, NCLEX, to receive her nursing license, and then it鈥檚 off to Baltimore to begin her residency. She says studying for the NCLEX is more than about memorization. 鈥淵ou can memorize things,鈥 says Bella, but if you can鈥檛 apply them . . .鈥澨 She says the test is set up like case studies: 鈥淭hey give you all this information about a patient, and then ask you, 鈥榳hat would you do next?鈥 That鈥檚 more difficult than memorizing information.鈥

Fortunately, Bella seems more than ready to answer that question, both with nursing situations and with her future.

 

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D&E Recognizes Outstanding Achievements with Academic Awards and Recognition Convocation /de-recognizes-outstanding-achievements-with-academic-awards-and-recognition-convocation/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:50:44 +0000 /?p=14109 On Tuesday, April 15th, a wealth of students, organizations, faculty members, and additional honorees of Davis & Elkins College were presented with awards for outstanding achievements in their respective categories during the annual Davis & Elkins College Awards and Recognition Convocation in the Myles Center for the Arts Harper-McNeely Auditorium.听 Recipients of these awards were […]

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On Tuesday, April 15th, a wealth of students, organizations, faculty members, and additional honorees of SA国际传媒 were presented with awards for outstanding achievements in their respective categories during the annual SA国际传媒 Awards and Recognition Convocation in the Myles Center for the Arts Harper-McNeely Auditorium.听 Recipients of these awards were selected based on academic and leadership achievements.

President Chris A. Wood addressed the awardees, quoting an illustration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. about the importance of doing every task throughout life, regardless of what it is, exceptionally, noting that the cure for mediocrity is to do all things with distinction and excellence.

Provost Mike Mattison, Ph.D., then approached the podium and began by noting that the awards celebrate not only academic achievements, but accomplishments of students who have excelled across the entire spectrum of student activity. 听Mattison invited each department chair or program coordinator to present Departmental Achievement Awards to their students within their respective disciplines. Awardees in Biology and Environmental Science were Olivia H. Cook, Maria Garcia, Rebecca E. McClenahan, and Madeline M. Veser, and the Robert E. Urban Memorial Award went to Eli Ballantyne. In Business and Entrepreneurship, awardees were Deylana Forrest, Roger D. Gabbert, Jackson P. Gibson, Roy B. Kegley, Anthony Martins, Catalina Salas Ortega, Brycen E. Sechler, and Julia V. Vieira. In Chemistry, awardees were Maria Garcia and Brooke J. Jacobs. The American Chemical Society Junior Award went to Victoria P. Sturm, and the Dr. Charles E. Albert Memorial prize in Chemistry went to Madeline M. Veser. In the Education Department, awardees were Jocelyn P. Burnside, Lydia Falkenstein, Hannah L. Phillips, and Wesley T. Strawderman. In Communication, English, Foreign Language, Religion & Philosophy, awardees were Willow G. Ferguson, Sidney A. Megna, and Alyssa M. Stump. The Tatiana Jardetzky Scholarship in Foreign Languages and Cultures went to Alina I. Vallentgoed. In Creative Arts, awardees were Alayna H. Garst, Lucy M. Gonzalez, and Nicole M. Schumacher. The Pendleton Prize in Theater went to Sidney Apanowicz. In History, Emma Gioia and Jacklyn Howell were the recipients.听 The James H. Swanton Prize in History went to Peyton M. Friel. In Mathematics & Physics, Duarte M. Correia and Ryan M. Rasco were the recipients. In Nursing, awardees were Autumn Plauger, Callee Collins, Zoe C. Belshan, MacAden Taylor, Sydney J. Cooper, and Rebecca F. Rodrigues. In Psychology & Human Services, Political Science, & Criminology, Bella G. Beaver, Kristin N. Coleman, and Thomas Salvan were the recipients. In Political Science, Sidney A. Megna was the recipient. The Dorothy F. Roberts Achievement Prize went to Emma Gioia. In Criminology, Alena R. Armstrong, Jaela Reid, and Chloe M. Travelstead were the recipients. In Sport Science, Linzey A. Allard, Mohamed Chaabane, Jackson P. Gibson, Roberto Leonardi, Victoria P. Sturm, Jan W. Thewes, and Eliseo A. Wotring were the recipients. The Minnick-McCoy Award went to Daphne C. McCann.

Mattison then turned to the Special Achievement Awards, beginning with the Faculty Senior Award, which is presented to a senior student exhibiting achievement and excellence in a wide range of academic areas and personal and intellectual leadership. This year鈥檚 recipient was Rebecca F. Rodrigues.

The Dean鈥檚 Award recipient, selected by the Office of Academic Affairs, was Hannah L. Phillips.

Junior Marshal Awards were presented to two members of the junior class at SA国际传媒, providing the opportunity to participate in baccalaureate and commencement services.听 Those receiving the awards this year were Melisa Ozsar and Alena Armstrong.

Also presented annually are scholarship awards provided by donors who wish to provide opportunities and support for students.听 The first such award, The L. Newton Thomas, Sr. Memorial Scholarship, named after the former president of The Carbon Fuel Company in Charleston, W.Va., and member of SA国际传媒 Board of Trustees from 1966 to 1972, was awarded to Brycen E. Sechler. Sechler was selected as the current senior with the highest grade-point average and credit hours completed.

The Freeman J. Daniels Academic Achievement Awards are presented to the highest-ranking freshman, sophomore, and junior, and senior. Named after Daniels, an esteemed alumnus of SA国际传媒 Class of 1922 and long-practicing attorney, these awards are granted based on academic performance during the previous year.听 The freshman, sophomore, and junior recipients of these awards were Simone Perin, Lydia Falkenstein, and Daphne C. McCann, respectively. The senior award will be bestowed at Commencement.

Dean of Students, Kate Garlick, presented awards for Student Affairs to recognize several members of the student body for excellence and achievement in the life of SA国际传媒.

The Charles H. Potter, II Scholarship Award was presented to Morgan B. Perry and Garrett T. Eddy.听 Potter, Class of 1968, created and established the award in 1994.听 The scholarship is awarded to those students who most exemplify leadership in the SA国际传媒 community.

Campus Impact Awards were presented to two recipients who, through their good works, have made the SA国际传媒 campus a better place. This year鈥檚 recipients were Samuel E. Rolle, IV, and Christian A. Hershey.

Annual Outstanding Junior and Senior Student Life Awards, presented to students who, through service to others, investment of time, and pursuit of excellence, have significantly and positively left their mark at SA国际传媒 outside of the classroom, were awarded to juniors Preston S. Bright and Victoria L. Noonan, and seniors Ricardo A. Salas and Victoria P. Sturm.

SA国际传媒 recognizes two outstanding senior students as recipients of the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award and Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.听 These awards are given in recognition of fine spiritual qualities practically applied as distinct from high scholarship, athletic achievement, success in business, professional ability, political leadership, or mere worldly prominence in any calling.听 This year鈥檚 recipients were Isabella Martinelli and Thomas Salvan, respectively.

Mattison then recognized several groups of students for additional academic achievements. Students named to the President鈥檚 List must have completed a minimum of twelve semester hours with a semester grade point average of 4.0. Students named to the Dean鈥檚 List must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours with a semester grade point average of 3.6 to less than 4.0. Also recognized were members of the Morrison-Novakovic Center for Faith & Public Policy for their focus on the intersection of faith, social issues, and public policy, and current students of SA国际传媒 who have planned to continue their education through graduate school.

Several fraternities, whose goal it is to provide students with unique opportunities, were also recognized.听 These include Alpha Delta Nu-Zeta Tau, Chi Beta Phi Math & Science Honorary, Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society in Nursing.

President Wood then presented faculty promotions to be recognized during the ceremony.听 Those receiving faculty promotions included Melanie Campbell, Katherine Osborne, Karen Seel, James Smith, Kevin Woodcock, and Huixin Wu.

Also recognized by President Wood were SA国际传媒鈥檚 seven Endowed Chairs, as follows: Thomas Richard Ross Chair in History and the Humanities: Dr. Katherine Osborne; S. Benton Talbot Chair in the Natural Sciences and Nursing: Dr. Shawn Stover; James S. McDonnell Foundation Chair in Business and Economics in honor of Dr. Gloria M. Payne: Professor Lisa Smith; Jean Minnick Chair in Sport Management: Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca; Claire Deiss Fiorentino Chair in Theatre Arts: Professor Lonnie Martin; G.T. 鈥淏uck鈥 Smith Presidential Chair: President Chris A. Wood.

The Lois Latham Award for Teaching Excellence marks the recipient as one of distinguished intellectual development, possessing a love and enthusiasm for scholarship whose calling is the personal development of others, embodying enthusiastic support of the liberal arts program and unswerving and unselfish devotion to the stimulation of their students. 听Lisa Smith was selected as this year鈥檚 recipient by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Assembly, making this award even more significant.

The final award, the Robin Price Award for Staff Excellence, named after 2019 retiree Robin Galford Price, after serving 46 years with the College. This award is presented to a recipient characterized by their outstanding service to the College, epitomizing distinction and excellence and who makes a real difference in the lives of students, faculty and staff. Award recipients are characterized by their distinguished career and enthusiasm for supporting and promoting the College鈥檚 mission.听 This year鈥檚 recipient was Jane Corey.

SA国际传媒 congratulates all of the awardees for their accomplishments.

 

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The Small Things Make a Big Difference /the-small-things-make-a-big-difference/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:19:08 +0000 /?p=14107 Sometimes it鈥檚 tough to break with tradition. For Harmony Wilson, that break meant attending college somewhere other than Davis & Elkins, as three generations of her family had already gone here. 鈥淒&E was not my first choice,鈥 she says.听 鈥淕rowing up in Elkins, I always said that I would never go to D&E because I […]

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Sometimes it鈥檚 tough to break with tradition. For Harmony Wilson, that break meant attending college somewhere other than Davis & Elkins, as three generations of her family had already gone here. 鈥淪A国际传媒 was not my first choice,鈥 she says.听 鈥淕rowing up in Elkins, I always said that I would never go to SA国际传媒 because I wanted to leave for college. I ended up committing to play D3 volleyball at Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.鈥

Those plans were derailed by the pandemic, and when she found out that SA国际传媒 was going to be in person in the spring of 2021, she transferred back home: 鈥淓ven though it was never in my cards, everything fell into place at SA国际传媒, and I wouldn鈥檛 change a thing.鈥

A 2024 graduate, Wilson majored in Hospitality & Tourism Management, and she also picked up an associate degree in Business. That combination, she says, 鈥減rovided me with a well-rounded education that has been crucial in my career. The hospitality classes gave me in-depth knowledge of the industry, from guest services and event management to resort operations.鈥 The business classes, on the other hand, 鈥渙ffered a strong foundation in management, finance, and organizational behavior, which are essential skills for navigating the complexities of any industry.鈥

Wilson says she can now 鈥渁pproach hospitality from a strategic perspective, to see the bigger picture of operations and decision-making.鈥 She does just that in her current role at the Tygart Hotel, where she serves as a front desk agent and will soon move over to helping with events.

There are two big reasons that Wilson believes she is well prepared for her life after SA国际传媒: Chef Mel and her capstone project. 鈥淪ome of my absolute favorite classes,鈥 she says, 鈥渨ere the cooking classes offered by Chef Mel (Melanie Campbell).鈥 Wilson recommends that anyone take the courses, as you get hands-on experience in a professional kitchen setting, learning how to create everything from simple comfort food to more advanced gourmet dishes. Chef Mel鈥檚 cooking classes, says Wilson, 鈥渁re a perfect blend of learning, creativity, and fun.鈥 In addition, Chef Mel encouraged and challenged Wilson every day: 鈥淐hef Mel is someone that I want in my corner forever. Without her, and the contributions of my other professors, I would not be the person or professional I am today.鈥

Then, for her capstone course, Wilson had the opportunity to work at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Glen Jean, WV, where she served as the front desk manager and event specialist at the Yamagata Lodge. The most valuable lesson she took from this experience came when a colleague shared this insight: 鈥淓xceed their expectations by doing the small things.鈥 Wilson says this simple advice has stayed with her and greatly influenced her approach to her work. 鈥淎t the beginning,鈥 she says, 鈥渢he capstone project may seem like an overwhelming task, but by the end of the presentation you find yourself questioning, 鈥榃hy was I so stressed?鈥欌

Even though SA国际传媒 might not have been her first choice, Wilson would now recommend it to anyone. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place,鈥 she says, 鈥渨here you’ll truly feel supported and valued, both academically and personally. The faculty and staff genuinely care about your growth鈥攏ot just as a student, but as an individual. You’ll have the opportunity to build close relationships with professors who take an interest in your life outside the classroom, helping guide you along your academic and career path.鈥 Some of those professors who helped Wilson, in addition to Chef Mel, are Dr. Osborne, Dr. Carter, Dr. Douglas, Professor Smith, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Neumann.

Though her path to the Tygart Hotel was not the most direct, it does seem like it has been the most rewarding. And, Wilson also found that her SA国际传媒 experience stretched her learning in new ways, forcing her out of her comfort zone and allowing her to discover her passion. She stresses that students shouldn鈥檛 be 鈥渁fraid to explore majors or minors that you might not have considered initially.鈥 SA国际传媒 will be supportive of the exploration and allow you to grow.

And, you never know when one of those small things you discover turns out to be something big.

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Davis & Elkins College Receives $80,000 in Gifts to Strengthen Naylor Learning Center /davis-elkins-college-receives-80000-in-gifts-to-strengthen-naylor-learning-center/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 19:39:16 +0000 /?p=14099 听 听 Davis & Elkins College is thrilled to announce two generous gifts totaling $80,000 to support the Naylor Learning Center, a crucial resource that helps students excel academically.听 The contributions come from Sylvia Fields of The Eden Hall Foundation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Imran Akram and Dr. Seemi Andrabi of Great Falls, Virginia, all […]

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听 听

SA国际传媒 is thrilled to announce two generous gifts totaling $80,000 to support the Naylor Learning Center, a crucial resource that helps students excel academically.听 The contributions come from Sylvia Fields of The Eden Hall Foundation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Imran Akram and Dr. Seemi Andrabi of Great Falls, Virginia, all of whom share a strong commitment to advancing educational opportunities at the College.

Sylvia Fields, whose son is an alumnus of Davis & Elkins, made her substantial donation in honor of two influential individuals who have made a lasting impact on the College community: Carol Carter, Professor of Business, and Mary Ellen Schubert, who retired in 2021 as Director of the Naylor Learning Center.听 Fields鈥 gift recognizes the profound influence these two women have had on students鈥 academic success and overall well-being at the College.

Imran Akram and Dr. Seemi Andrabi, current parents of a Davis & Elkins student, also made a generous contribution to the Naylor Learning Center.听 Their donation underscores their belief in the College鈥檚 commitment to offering exceptional educational experiences, particularly for students with learning differences or disabilities.

Since its dedication on September 23, 2011, the Naylor Learning Center, located on the second floor of Albert Hall, has been an essential part of academic support at SA国际传媒. Established through the generosity of the Naylor family, the Center offers a variety of services, including Academic Support, Disability Services, and the Supported Learning Program.

The Naylor Learning Center鈥檚 mission is to improve academic performance for all students, enhance the learning experience for students with disabilities, and increase access to higher education for individuals with diverse needs.听 Through its comprehensive programs, the Center plays a vital role in ensuring the success of students, particularly those facing unique learning challenges.

Derek Fincham, Director of the Naylor Learning Center, expressed his deep gratitude for the recent gifts, stating, 鈥淭hese contributions will have both an immediate and lasting impact on our ability to support students and expand our programs.听 We are incredibly thankful for the generosity of our donors.鈥

President Chris A. Wood also expressed his gratitude, stating, 鈥淭he generosity of Sylvia Fields and The Eden Hall Foundation, along with Imran Akram and Dr. Seemi Andrabi, is a powerful testament to the lasting impact SA国际传媒 has on its students and alumni.听 The Naylor Learning Center is integral to our mission of supporting student success, and these contributions will ensure it continues to inspire and empower future generations.听 We are profoundly grateful for their unwavering commitment to the continued growth and success of SA国际传媒.鈥

These gifts arrive at a pivotal time, providing essential resources to sustain and expand the Center鈥檚 services.听 As the College remains committed to investing in student success, the Naylor Learning Center will continue to play a critical role in achieving that vision.

Those interested in joining Sylvia Fields and The Eden Hall Foundation, along with Imran Akram and Dr. Seemi Andrabi in supporting the Naylor Learning Center are encouraged to contribute.听 Gifts can be made online at: Give – SA国际传媒 or by mailing a check to the College鈥檚 Advancement Office.听 For more information about the Naylor Learning Center and its programs, please visit: Educational Support – SA国际传媒.

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