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Honoring excellence: School of Public Health recognizes outstanding students, faculty and community partners

West Virginia University School of Public Health students, faculty, staff and partners joined together on the evening of Wednesday, April 29, to honor outstanding achievements during the school’s annual Year-end Celebration.

The Class of 2026 was greeted by Dean Sarah Woodrum with words of praise and advice for the future. “You’re the heart of our school, and we recognize the remarkable work you've done in classrooms, in research labs, in the community, and often under challenging and uncertain circumstances,” she said. “You’ve shown resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of purpose—qualities that define not only excellent students, but I’m comforted to know that I’m also surrounded by an entire room of future leaders.”

The ceremony included the presentation of the Community Partner Award, Excellence in Teaching Awards and several individual and departmental student awards. Additionally, the leadership teams of Delta Omega Honorary Society and Upsilon Phi Delta recognized their newest inductees.

This year’s Community Partner Award was presented to Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center for its meaningful contributions to not only the School but the community as well. As a trusted resource for children and families impacted by abuse, MCCAC plays an essential role in reducing trauma and improving the well-being of children across the region. This academic year, the organization mentored five public health student interns, providing hands-on experience in areas such as health education, advocacy, project management, grant development and stakeholder communication. Through these opportunities, students gained valuable skills while furthering their knowledge and understanding of child abuse as a public health issue.

“Our partnership with the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center has provided our students with vital real-world experience that simply cannot be replicated in the classroom,” said Audra Hamrick, senior director of academic success. “Students were able to strengthen their career-ready skills while developing a broader perspective on how public health professionals can support children, families and communities through advocacy, education and trauma-informed care.”

During the ceremony, the School of Public Health recognized the inaugural graduating cohort of its Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s programs. Graduates earning their Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master of Health Administration include McKenzie Akers, Shaelee Nelson, Rieley Snyder, Paige Stewart and Hannah Warden. Payton Shreve also graduated from the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master of Public Health program, marking a milestone for the School’s innovative accelerated pathways.

As the event came to a close, Scot McIntosh, assistant dean for student success and alumni engagement, offered encouraging words for the upcoming graduates.

“You have something this field needs. You’ve got heart. You’ve got perspective. You’ve got the ability to care and keep going,” he concluded. “Keep asking questions. Keep showing up for people who need you. Keep building something better than what you inherited.”

To view photos from the event, visit the School of Public Health SmugMug gallery.

Following is a comprehensive list of 2025-26 honorees:

Cum Laude (with honor) Spring 2026 Graduates

  • Alayna Boggs
  • Kennedy Dickinson
  • Cameron Hanshaw
  • Abbott Long
  • Luke Mann
  • Bryan McDonald
  • Maddex McMillen

Magna Cum Laude (great honor) Spring 2026 Graduates

  • Emilee Campbell
  • Shelby Cavender
  • Emily Fleenor
  • Shaelee Nelson
  • MacKenzie Placek
  • Anina Smith
  • Melissa Spohn

Summa Cum Laude (highest honor) Spring 2026 Graduates

  • McKenzie Akers
  • Brianna Ferguson
  • Lillian "Grace" Grey
  • Amelia Holtschneider
  • Payton Shreve
  • Rieley Snyder
  • Olivia "Paige" Stewart
  • Hannah Warden

Gamma Mu Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society Inductees

Honorary Inductee

  • Dr. Brian Huggins, DO, Health Officer – Monongalia County Health Department

Faculty Inductee

  • David Woodrum

Graduate Alumni Inductee

  • Lauren Orndorff

Graduate Student Inductees

  • Shaelee Nelson
  • Payton Shreve

Upsilon Phi Delta Inductees

Graduate (Master of Health Administration)

  • Ayesha Brown
  • Matthew Davis
  • Anna Ecker
  • Brianna Ferguson
  • Brooke Lawson
  • Joseph Monastra
  • Meaghan Nichols
  • Lisa Pitrolo
  • Eric Reed
  • Kennedy Scarry
  • Sophia Selvaraj
  • Harmony Shepard
  • Emily Smith
  • Erica Smith
  • Tracy Smith
  • Heather Weyen

Outstanding Community Partner

  • Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center

Outstanding Teaching Awards

  • Tyler Quinn, Ph.D., Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award
  • Steve Davis, Ph.D., Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award

Promising Public Health Investigator Award
Presented to a graduate student who exemplifies tremendous potential as a researcher. The student’s work during his/her academic training has the potential for publication and/or acceptance at national or international conferences.

  • Chloe Hatfield

Junior Public Health Investigator Award
Presented to a graduating baccalaureate student who exemplifies tremendous potential as a researcher.

  • Sabrina Thorn

Promising Public Health Practitioner Award
Presented to a master’s or doctoral student who shows the most potential to impact the future of public health or healthcare through applied public health practice.

  • Hannah Warden

Junior Promising Public Health Practitioner Award
Presented to a baccalaureate student who shows the most potential to impact the future of public health through applied public health practice.

  • Lillian "Grace" Grey

Ruth E. Kershner Community Service Award
Presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding service to a group or community in West Virginia during their course of studies at the WVU School of Public Health. This award is given in memory of Ruth Kershner, Ed.D. Kershner, who passed away in 2014, inspired her students and colleagues throughout her career at WVU. She was known for her love, generosity and endless energy and enthusiasm – all traits the recipient of this award will have shared with the individuals they served.

  • Katie Minor

Junior Pioneering Spirit Award
Presented to an undergraduate student who embodies the Mountaineer definition of “pioneering” – a resourceful and entrepreneurial student who proactively forges new opportunities.

  • Amelia Holtschneider

Outstanding Health Services Administration Student Award
Presented to the graduating undergraduate student who exhibits the greatest potential for contributions in healthcare administration.

  • Katelyn Merlin

Outstanding Public Health Sciences Undergraduate Student Award
Presented to the graduating undergraduate student who exhibits the greatest potential for contributions in public health leadership.

  • Anina Smith

Population Health Student Award
Presented to the graduating Master of Science in Population Health student who exhibits the greatest potential for contributions in the field.

  • Yvonne Shaw

Biostatistics Student Award
Presented to the graduating Master of Science in Biostatistics student who has been engaged in their coursework, performed well academically and ideally engaged in biostatistical-related activities outside the classroom.

  • Michael Wojciechowski

Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
Presented to a graduating Ph.D. student who exemplifies the highest qualities of a doctoral student.

  • Hannah Bush

Departmental Awards
Presented to one outstanding student in each concentration area. Recipients are nominated and selected by faculty in the area of study.

  • Epidemiology and Biostatistics: Mason Earl
  • Health Policy, Management and Leadership: Rieley Snyder
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences: Payton Shreve