News

WVU School of Public Health honors excellence and community partnerships at Year-end Celebration

West Virginia University School of Public Health students, faculty and staff joined together on the morning of Thursday, May 1, to honor outstanding achievements during the school’s annual Year-end Celebration.

Dean Sarah Woodrum greeted the Class of 2025 with words of praise and inspiration for the future. “You have shown resilience, creativity and a deep sense of purpose—qualities that define not only excellent students, but also future leaders in public health,” she said.

The ceremony included the presentation of the LEAD Award, 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 Health Department. From teaching classes to offering volunteer opportunities and hosting student interns, the expert staff at the health department go above and beyond to train our future public health workforce. They hosted more than 20 student interns who were able to work alongside the experts to gain real-world experience, build confidence and see firsthand the impact of local health.

"Their dedication to learning, teaching and innovation has not only strengthened our response to today's health challenges—it has laid the groundwork for a healthier future,” said Audra Hamrick, director of undergraduate studies. “Their work is a testament to what can be achieved when science, service and community come together."

Scot McIntosh, assistant dean of student affairs, closed out the event with encouraging words for the upcoming graduates.

“Even when things feel uncertain, even when the road gets steep—remember what you’ve already overcome. Remember who’s in your corner,” he concluded. “And remember that impact doesn’t always look loud or flashy. Sometimes it looks like persistence. Sometimes it looks like rest. Sometimes it looks like love.”

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

Following is a comprehensive list of 2024-25 honorees:

Cum Laude (with honor) Spring 2025 Graduates

  • Skylar Koenig
  • Brooklyn McCutcheon

Magna Cum Laude (great honor) Spring 2025 Graduates

  • Emma Magee
  • Abigail Serakowski
  • Allison Smith
  • Marissa Stasel

Summa Cum Laude (highest honor) Spring 2025 Graduates

  • Julia Auch
  • Maya Carter
  • Annalise Haines
  • Corinne Lalama
  • Brooke Larsen
  • Connor Stricklen

Gamma Mu Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society Inductees

Honorary Inductee

  • Chris McCormick, Assistant Vice President - Population Health at WVU Medicine

Faculty Inductees

  • Tyler Quinn, Ph.D.
  • Anthony Peluso, DrPH

Graduate Alumni Inductees

  • Bethany Boback
  • Danny Scalise

Graduate Student Inductees

  • Caylin Armentrout
  • Lydia Ferrell
  • Madison “Darby” Taylor
  • Donovan Weekly

Undergraduate Student Inductee

  • Maya Carter

Upsilon Phi Delta Inductees

Graduate (Master of Health Administration)

  • McKenzie Akers
  • Emily Gajda
  • Jaime Meeks
  • Chelsea Moyer
  • Shaelee Nelson
  • Sydnee Nestor
  • Lauren Orndorff
  • Beverlee Payton
  • Rieley Snyder
  • Paige Stewart
  • Hannah Warden

LEAD Award
Recognizes graduating MHA student exemplifying four core values of the program: Learning, Engagement, Achievement and Diversity.

  • Lauren Orndorff

Outstanding Community Partner

  • Monongalia County Health Department

Outstanding Teaching Awards

  • Steve Davis, Ph.D., Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award
  • Michael McCawley, 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.

  • Donovan Weekley

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

  • Maya Carter

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 through applied public health practice.

  • Lydia Ferrell

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.

  • Jamya Price

Ruth E. Kershner Community Service Award
Presented to a student who has demonstrates 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.

  • Payton Shreve

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.

  • Connor Stricklen

Outstanding Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management and Leadership Student Award
Presented to the graduating undergraduate student who exhibits the greatest potential for contributions in healthcare administration.

  • Brooklyn McCutcheon

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

  • Katelyn Eaves

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.

  • Elliana Bohan

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

  • Delaney Pugh

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: Madison “Darby” Taylor
  • Health Policy, Management and Leadership: Mahayana Garcia
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences: Katharine Swesey

--

lw/5/13/25