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Fall 2023 graduate fellows recognized

Grad fellows

The Office of Graduate Education and Life celebrated new and returning graduate fellows at WVU during its annual Fellows Celebration on Thursday (Sept. 28). 

Richard Thomas, associate provost for graduate academic affairs; Jessica Queener, assistant provost for graduate education policy; and Betty Mei, program director, recognized 72 fellows on their esteemed fellowship awards, congratulating them on conducting groundbreaking research at the University. Thirty-two new fellows from across the country were also welcomed during the ceremony as they embark on their graduate studies.

Melissa Latimer, associate provost for faculty development and culture, and Jessica Deshler, assistant dean for graduate studies in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, served as honored guests at the reception. Stephanie House-Niamke, SREB fellow and graduate student in sociology, also provided brief remarks on her experiences as a graduate fellow.

New graduate students include:

Arlen G. and Louise Stone Swiger Fellows

• Daniel Brennan, history

• Jordan Ceglar, social and behavioral sciences

• Hannah Hardiman, clinical psychology

• Abobo Kumbalonah, communication studies 

NSF Fellows

• Ellena Gemmen, mechanical engineering

• Rachel Morris, biology

• Meagan Walker, geography

Outstanding Merit Fellows

• Marshall Elly, epidemiology

• Angie Macias, plant and soil science

• Km Prottoy Shariar Piash, chemical engineering

• Luna Ugrenovic, sport, exercise and performance psychology 

• Davide Zoppolato, geography 

• Tobi Ore, geology

Provost Fellows

• Brett Ballard, physics

• Austin Braniff, chemical engineering

• Heath Clayton, performance (DMA)

• Destinee Harper, English

• Haiden Placer, biology

• Robert Traugh, composition (DMA)

Ruby Distinguished Doctoral Fellows

• Jessica Hovingh, forensic and investigative science

• Annalisa Huckaby, biomedical sciences

• Nicole Krahulik, chemistry

• Travis Rawson, biomedical sciences

SREB Doctoral Scholars 

• Stephanie House-Niamke, sociology

• Catherine Ju, clinical psychology

STEM Fellows

• Olivia Carpenter, biomedical sciences

• Cameron Dow, biology

• Spencer Dublin, biomedical sciences

• Taylor Sidney, animal, food and nutrition science

W.E.B. Du Bois Fellows

• Lauryn Alexander, law

• Elaine Edwards, English

• Kennedy McKinney, law

For news, information and event details, visit the Graduate Education and Life website or follow us on Twitter @WVUGradEd and Instagram @wvu_ogel.