As Mountaineer Graduation Day approaches, we honor CPASS seniors who will participate in a virtual ceremony on May 16. Upon reflecting on their experiences at WVU, the students recognize faculty and staff for their unwavering support and expertise. They are thankful for hands-on learning, internships and teaching opportunities to prepare them for life after graduation. They are clear on their goals, passion and love for Mountaineer Nation and the friends they have discovered.
Garrett Lord
Master’s in Physical Education Teacher Education and Kinesiology
Hometown: Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
I choose WVU CPASS because of the great environment and people within the college. Along with that, my amazing professors at CPASS helped me figure out that my calling was as a teacher. Drs. Emi Tsuda, James Wyant and others helped mold me into the young man that I am today.
By far and away my favorite thing about WVU is the relationships that I have built and the friends that I have made. These are relationships and friendships that I plan to hold for the rest of my life. WVU is a passionate place and the people around me have taught me that I will forever be a Mountaineer.
The WVU Friday Morning Program allowed me to run an important program for students with disabilities to become more active and to have fun. CPASS helped me flourish as an educator; I have been going into schools to teach since sophomore year.
CPASS gave me the opportunity to student teach at two different schools, Waynesburg Central High School in PA and Skyview Elementary School in Morgantown. Both schools taught me how to be successful as an educator. After attending WVU and being a part of the CPASS family, I feel fully prepared to be successful in my respected field.
Post-Graduation Plans
My immediate plans are to earn a job as a Physical Education teacher in Fairfax VA. I want to continue attending college online to earn my certificate in administration. Within 3-5 years, I want to become an administrator in a school.
Alisha Barnes
Major, Sport and Exercise Psychology, minor, Scholastic Coaching and Psychology
Hometown: Purcellville, Virginia
I am an avid runner and hunter. I am the biggest fan of professional bull riding. I give 110 percent to everything that I do and I always root for the underdog.
I chose WVU CPASS originally for the accomplished Athletic Training program, but I fell in love with the faculty and teachings of the Sport and Exercise Psychology program.
My favorite thing about WVU and Morgantown is the undying loyalty to the gold and blue, no matter where you came from, your views, or what you study.
The guidance of the advising staff and faculty of SEP led to me down the successful road that was my four years at WVU.
Post-Graduation Plans
I will attend the University of Kentucky in the fall as a first-year master’s student in the Sport and Exercise Psychology program.
Lucas Facemire
Major, Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration
Hometown: Summersville, West Virginia
I am a member of the WVU Honors College and have had three internships during my time in undergrad. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I joined the Mountaineer Maniacs executive board. Soccer is my favorite sport. Waking up early to watch Premier League matches is something I look forward to on the weekends.
Although WVU was the only school I applied to out of high school, I felt like the CPASS sport management program would give me the best opportunity to become a qualified candidate for work opportunities that would interest me after I earned my degree. Drs. Bravo, Jones, Lee and Lhotsky have been fantastic to me since day one. They truly care about the future of their students and want to see them end up being successful.
As much as I love wings from Fishbowl, the great people I have met over the past four years take the cake.
I appreciate the opportunity I had to study in Europe for six months and the help provided by Dean Watson to work out the kinks beforehand. Dr. Bravo offered guidance on writing my senior thesis on what I learned abroad. I’m thankful for the financial support from Dr. Ostrow; I was the first recipient of the Ostrow International Achievement Award to cover travel costs. My professors have been great in working with me so that I could have the opportunity to help at various events on campus during normal class time; they understand the value of both coursework and field experience.
Post-Graduation Plans
I will be staying in Morgantown for another two years as I work on getting my Master of Business Administration and Sport Management while working as the marketing graduate assistant for WVU Athletics.
John Foster
Major, Multidisciplinary Studies with a focus in Sport Communication and Sport and Exercise Psychology
Hometown: Darien, Connecticut
I love sports and have played them my entire life. I’ve continued to play recreationally through WVU and beyond. I love to be outside, whether it be fishing or talking walks with my dog Denver.
I chose CPASS because sports have always been my passion. I wanted to make sure that the college that I chose was focused around sport.
There are many things about WVU and Morgantown that I appreciate. I worked at Mountaineer Gun Sales and Country Ice Cream which opened my eyes to just how wonderful WVU and Morgantown are. Together they create a sense of family and togetherness.
CPASS was helpful because faculty and staff put the students’ needs first. As a transfer student, the guidance and counseling staff were always able to keep me on the right path, no matter how stubborn I chose to be. All the credit goes to the wonderful Theresa Scafella and Betsy Robbins. CPASS gave me the opportunity to pursue a career in sports by helping me obtain internships in both the WVU Athletics department and the West Virginia Black Bears.
Post-Graduation Plans
I was successful in moving my internship with the West Virginia Black Bears into a full-time position.