Five West Virginia University Institute of Technology students presented with awards

A first year West Virginia University Institute of Technology student and four graduating students were recently recognized among the technology community and their respective schools for their outstanding achievements. 

The First Year Student Excellence Award honors one first year student who has been recognized as someone who demonstrates leadership and involvement on campus while also excelling academically. Elijah Stewart is this year’s winner.

Stewart is originally from Pemberton, West Virginia, and is a first generation college student. So far he has managed to earn a high GPA. He was also recently the first student in the school’s history to be accepted into the prestigious American Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program. As part of the program he will be a liaison between the Red Cross and WVU Tech as well as coordinate blood drives. Stewart also serves as the freshman class representative in the Student Nurses Association. He also mentors youth in his church community, and hosts weekly study sessions.

In 1978, WVU Tech established the Leonard C. Nelson Presidential Leadership award. The award honors graduating seniors who have significantly contributed positively to their campus communities while also showing excellent academic success. The recent winners of the award are scheduled to speak at the school’s commencement ceremony in early May. This year’s awardees are Emily Stack from the School of Nursing, Andrew Canterbury from the Leonard C. Nelson School of Engineering, Liam Craven from the School of Business, and Avery Lucas from the School of Arts and Sciences.

Emily Stack is originally from Crab Orchard, West Virginia, and is studying nursing. She is also an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Student Nurses Association. She is also a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society, and has been named an NAIA Champion of Character. Not only is she a nursing student completing her clinical hours, and a volleyball player, but she is also active in youth coaching, blood donations, and community service.

Andrew Canterbury is originally from Clendenin, West Virginia and is a civil engineering major. He was the President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (or ASCE) and was instrumental in bringing the ASCE Virginia Student Symposium to the campus of West Virginia University Institute of Technology. The event saw over 300 engineering students from all over the region visiting the Beckley area. During the symposium, Canterbury created and started a new regional competition on Steel-Crete Croquet. He has interned with Triton Construction and TC Energy, and is also a Resident Assistant. 

Liam Craven is originally from Brantford, Ontario, Canada, and is a sports management major. His work as a student athlete brought him to WVU Tech, but was sidelined from his basketball career by an injury. He then decided to focus on participating in campus life. He has served as a Resident Assistant, where he organized student activities and mentored his fellow students. He also served as an Athletic Communications intern. He also coaches high school basketball in Canada and leads basketball clinics in Virginia.

Avery Lucas is from West Hamlin, West Virginia, and is a double major in chemistry and biology. Avery has earned several academic honors while at WVU Tech, such as being asked to present at undergraduate research day, and securing a NASA Grant. Lucas previously served as the president of the American Chemical Society Club, as well as a microbiology lab assistant, all while being a student athlete on WVU Tech’s women’s basketball team. She will go on to attend the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

In an article posted on West Virginia University Institute of Technology’s website, the Dean of Students, Dan Sepion, was quoted about these students and spoke highly of them, saying, “All of these students have left a lasting impact on the Tech community. All of the graduating seniors have bright futures ahead, and I am excited to see where they go next in their careers. I’m also looking forward to the great things Elijah does on our campus during the rest of his time at Tech.”

More information about West Virginia University Institute of Technology can be found at the school’s website.