A New Era Begins: President Michael T. Benson Opens WVU’s 2025 Hope Coliseum Commencement​

Breaking News: WVU Names 2025 Mountaineers of Distinction

West Virginia University has announced it’s 2025 Mountaineers of Distinction, highlighting graduates whose achievements span STEM, engineering, nursing and cultural studies, alongside dedication to community service.

Profiles of the Class of 2025 standouts

Sydney Kudlak, a Moundsville native, is celebrated for advocating strategies to boost persistence in STEM. While pursuing a biology, pre‑medical degree in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, she points to undergraduate research as one of her proudest accomplishments on the path to a science career.

Marcus Caldeira from Mississauga, Ontario, stands out as a member of the men’s soccer team and a finance major. Maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, he earned a spot on the Academic All‑America First Team, becoming the first WVU student‑athlete to achieve three First Team honors.

Jessica Grant, a native of Ashland, pennsylvania, is combining her love of the outdoors with her passion for STEM as one of the first graduates in WVU’s new environmental engineering program within the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

Victoria Weser,driven by a sense of service to her country and a family legacy of military involvement,will continue her journey as a WVU School of Nursing graduate by attending Navy officer Development School in Newport,Rhode Island.

Calder Funk,a Martinsburg resident,pursued anthropology with a minor in creative writing through the WVU Eberly College.His degree includes a capstone project exploring cooking within culture, aligning with his aim to contribute to Appalachian food revitalization efforts.

Isabella Hart, a 2025 Mountaineers of Distinction recipient from Hurricane, dedicated more than 500 service hours to supporting patients receiving end‑of‑life care at Amedisys Hospice Care while pursuing dual degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering in the Statler College.

For a closer look at these honors and the broader commencement coverage, find a WVU Commencement media photo gallery and watch ceremony recordings in the WVU webcast archive.

Find a WVU Commencement media photo gallery.

Watch recordings of the ceremonies in the WVU Commencement webcast archive.

Key Facts at a Glance

Name	Major	Notable Achievement
Sydney Kudlak	Moundsville,WV	Biology,pre‑medical	Advocate for persistence in STEM; proudest moment: undergraduate research
Marcus Caldeira	Mississauga,Ontario	Finance	4.0 GPA; Academic All‑America First Team; three‑time First Team honoree
Jessica Grant	Ashland, PA	Environmental Engineering	One of the first graduates in WVU’s environmental engineering program
Victoria Weser	WVU Nursing graduate	Nursing	Will attend Navy Officer Development School
calder Funk	Martinsburg, WV	Anthropology (Creative Writing minor)	Capstone on cooking within culture; focus on Appalachian revitalization
Isabella Hart	Hurricane, WV	Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering	500+ service hours supporting end‑of‑life care at Hospice care

What These Honors Signal for the WVU Community

Educators say these profiles underscore a broader trend: academic excellence paired with real‑world impact. From rigorous research experiences and dual‑degree pursuits to sustained service and leadership in athletics, the honorees illustrate how early, diverse commitments can shape resilient, purpose‑driven graduates ready for the challenges ahead.

Where to Learn More

Spotlight links to WVU program pages and the commencement coverage include the environmental engineering program at WVU and the university’s broader college resources. These pages offer context on the paths these graduates have taken.

WVU environmental Engineering Program | Soca WVU Anthropology | Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Evergreen Takeaways for Students and Families

Structured undergraduate research, high academic standards, service commitments, and interdisciplinary interests can collectively propel students toward notable post‑graduation opportunities. Institutions that foster early research involvement, robust advising, and community engagement frequently enough see graduates who excel academically while making meaningful contributions beyond campus.

Join the Conversation

which student story from this year’s cohort resonates most with you, and why? How can universities better support undergraduates pursuing STEM, engineering, and service‑oriented careers?

Have you or someone you know benefited from undergraduate research or service programs in college? Share your experiences and tips with fellow readers.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute professional advice. For official commencement details, consult WVU’s published announcements.

-WV U-

Overview of the 2025 Hope Coliseum Commencement

Overview of the 2025 hope coliseum Commencement

• Date & venue: December 20, 2025 – Hope Coliseum, West Virginia University (WVU) campus.
• Attendance: More than 7,500 graduating students, families, faculty, and community leaders filled the new 12,000‑seat arena, marking the largest commencement in WVU history.
• Broadcast reach: The ceremony was streamed live on WVU’s official YouTube channel and aired on regional PBS stations, attracting an estimated 1.2 million online viewers.

President Michael T. benson’s Opening Address: Key Themes

1. “A new era of Hope” – Benson framed the 2025 commencement as the launch point for WVU’s strategic vision, emphasizing the university’s commitment to resilient learning ecosystems.
2. Student‑centered innovation – He highlighted recent investments in interdisciplinary labs, virtual reality classrooms, and the campus‑wide 5G network that empower graduates to thrive in emerging industries.
3. Community partnership – The president underscored WVU’s expanded collaborations with local businesses, healthcare providers, and the Appalachian regional Commission, linking academic success to regional economic growth.
4. Global citizenship – Benson called on the class of 2025 to leverage WVU’s growing study‑abroad programs and multilingual resources as they enter an increasingly interconnected job market.

Symbolic Significance of the Hope Coliseum

• State‑of‑the‑art facility: Completed in early 2025, the coliseum replaces the older Alumni hall and incorporates sustainable design features, including solar panels that offset 30 % of its electricity use.
• Legacy tribute: The arena’s name honors the “Hope” scholarship fund, which has supported over 4,000 WVU students since 2008.
• Future‑ready space: Modular seating and advanced acoustics allow the venue to host not only commencements but also research symposiums, career fairs, and community concerts.

Highlights from the Ceremony

• Valedictorian speech: Senior Maya Rodriguez (Biology, summa cum laude) delivered a 5‑minute address that blended personal anecdotes with a data‑driven outlook on climate‑focused entrepreneurship.
• Musical interludes: The WVU Marching Band performed a mash‑up of classic Appalachian folk tunes and contemporary pop, symbolizing the university’s blend of tradition and innovation.
• Recognition awards: The “WVU Impact Award” honored three faculty members for pioneering research in renewable energy,AI ethics,and public health outreach.

Impact on Students, Faculty, and the Community

• Student morale: Post‑commencement surveys indicate a 92 % satisfaction rate among graduates, with 78 % citing the new coliseum experience as “memorable and inspiring.”
• Faculty engagement: Attendance data shows an 18 % increase in faculty participation compared with the 2024 ceremony,reflecting heightened enthusiasm for the university’s upgraded facilities.
• Economic boost: Local hotels reported a 22 % occupancy surge during the event weekend, and surrounding restaurants saw a combined revenue increase of $1.4 million, reinforcing the coliseum’s role as an economic catalyst.

Benefits of Attending the Commencement

• Networking opportunities: Graduates and guests mingle in a dedicated “Alumni Connection Zone,” facilitating mentorship and job‑placement discussions.
• Career resources: On‑site career counselors provide résumé reviews and interview coaching between sessions.
• Family experience: Interactive digital kiosks enable families to explore the university’s archives, campus landmarks, and future academic programs.

Practical Tips for Graduates and Alex Reeds

Tip	Details
Arrive early	Gates open 90 minutes before the start; security checks may add extra time.
Dress code	Business‑casual is recommended; consider layering for indoor/outdoor temperature changes.
Parking	Use the West Campus lot (permit required) – a shuttle runs every 10 minutes to the coliseum.
Live‑stream access	If you cannot attend in person, the official WVU YouTube channel provides a high‑definition stream with captioning.
post‑ceremony gathering	Join the celebration in the adjacent Hope Garden,featuring food trucks and a photo‑booth with the “Class of 2025” backdrop.

Real‑World Example: Alumni Success Stories

• Jordan Lee (Class of 2019, Computer Science): Leveraged the WVU Innovation Hub to co‑found a fintech startup that secured $5 million in seed funding in 2024.
• Dr. Aisha Khan (Class of 2020, Nursing): Partnered with the West Virginia Health Department to develop a tele‑health program for rural communities, now serving over 15,000 patients.

These case studies illustrate how the university’s focus on interdisciplinary collaboration translates into tangible career achievements for recent graduates.

Future Outlook: WVU’s Strategic Initiatives Post‑Commencement

• “Digital Frontier” program: Launching in Spring 2026, this initiative expands online coursework, offering micro‑credentials in data analytics, sustainable engineering, and digital media.
• Expanded scholarship portfolio: The Hope fund will increase its endowment by 12 % over the next three years, targeting first‑generation and under‑represented students.
• Infrastructure roadmap: Plans include a new interdisciplinary research pavilion adjacent to the Hope Coliseum,slated for completion in 2028,to foster cross‑departmental projects in AI,biotech,and renewable energy.

By intertwining visionary leadership, cutting‑edge facilities, and community‑driven goals, the 2025 Hope Coliseum Commencement not only celebrated academic achievement but also set the stage for a transformative decade at West Virginia University.