West Virginia University Institute of Technology celebrated the Class of 2012 during the 113th Commencement on the Montgomery campus on Saturday, May 5, 2012. The ceremony recognized 178 graduates.
Dr. Leonard C. Nelson, former Tech president and professor emeritus, provided the Commencement Address. Among his many accomplishments, he is the namesake of the WVU Tech College of Engineering and Sciences. During his address, Nelson explained, “Your degree from Tech presents you with great opportunities and responsibilities. Success is about seizing them!”
The University’s Academic Awards Committee presented the Leadership Citations, which were established by Nelson in 1978. The awards are given to one student from each College who has demonstrated academic excellence and extensive campus and community involvement. This year’s recipients were Rebecca Minnick from the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences and Deanna “Susie” Whitely from the College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences.
WVU Tech Campus Executive Officer Carolyn Long told the Class of 2012, “I’d like to share a dream I have for each of you. I hope that you will all be lifelong learners. You may be leaving the halls of WVU Tech, but your quest for knowledge should not end today.”