The West Virginia University Reed College of Media celebrated its December graduates at the University’s ceremony on Saturday, December 15, at the WVU Coliseum. Graduates heard from WVU President E. Gordon Gee and WVU’s Chief Medical Officer Judie Charlton, M.D.
President Gee imparted the importance of looking ahead to the future. “As important as it is to celebrate this educational milestone today, it is even more important to identify the purpose your new degree will help you to fulfill,” said Gee.
More than 115 College of Media students graduated this month, earning bachelor’s degrees in journalism, strategic communications and multidisciplinary studies, and master’s degrees in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Data Marketing Communications (DMC) and Journalism.
Prior to commencement, the College of Media recognized its top graduates at an event at Martin Hall. Haleigh Fields was named the top overall graduate for earning the highest grade point average of the December graduating class. Fields earned a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications. During her college career, Fields held numerous internships—at WVU Extension Service, the Governor’s School of Entrepreneurship and with Volvo Group Trucks—and also worked as a communications assistant with the College’s Innovation Center. She will be starting the Integrated Marketing Communications master’s program in spring 2019 and will be a graduate assistant for the EcoCAR Mobility Challenge with the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
“My time spent with the Reed College was nothing short of amazing. From the dedicated professors and faculty to all of the esteemed student organizations, I was able to learn so much while gaining hands on experience that has been influential in earning me internships and jobs in the PR field. I am not quite ready to leave my WVU or Reed College of Media family and I can't wait to see where this master’s program takes me,” said Fields.
Fields was among the 14 College of Media graduates recognized with distinguished academic achievement at the December ceremony. Four students received summa cum laude including Fields, Ali Barrett, Josh Burns and Kirsten Keeney. Magna cum laude recipients included Taylor Connolly, McKenzie Hall, Katie Hinkle and Alanna Longnecker. Students who received cumlaude include Regan Blaha, Kathryn Egstrand, Sarah Feamster, Carly Smith, Emily Stern and Emily Trosclair.