West Virginia University will present Presidential Honorary Degrees to two distinguished alumni and an educator during Commencement ceremonies on December 21 at the Coliseum. The university will also honor two faculty members in these events.
The Presidential Honorary Degree recipients are Hoppy Kercheval, a renowned West Virginia broadcaster, David Riggle, a special education teacher in Tyler County, and Nitin “Nick” Kumbhani, a leading executive in software development and investment management.
Two Commencement ceremonies are scheduled. The 9 a.m. ceremony will honor graduates from the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences, College of Creative Arts and Media, College of Law, and Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. During this ceremony, Kercheval and Riggle will receive their honorary degrees.
The 2 p.m. ceremony will celebrate graduates from the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, John Chambers College of Business and Economics, School of Dentistry, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, and School of Public Health. Kumbhani will be honored with a Presidential Honorary Degree during this event.
Kercheval, considered the “dean” of West Virginia broadcasters, began his career at WAJR Radio while a student at WVU and graduated in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He later earned a master’s degree and currently serves as vice president of operations for MetroNews. Kercheval has hosted the popular “Talkline” show since 1993 and co-hosts the “3 Guys Before the Game” sports podcast. He is a member of the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Riggle has been recognized for over a decade of educational service in West Virginia. A West Liberty University graduate, Riggle teaches world history and special education math at Tyler Consolidated Middle School, where he also coaches girls’ basketball. He previously taught at Paden City High School, participating in various school roles and volunteering with the Marshall County Special Olympics.
Kumbhani, a WVU alum originally from Mumbai, India, credits the university for its scholarship support during his electrical engineering degree. He found success pioneering ATM software and later founded Apex Capital Management, focusing on investment management. In 2023, he was inducted into the Statler College Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Distinguished Alumni Academy.
The grand marshal for the 9 a.m. ceremony will be Duncan Lorimer, a professor of physics and astronomy in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and a recognized Fellow of the Royal Society. Maura McLaughlin, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and a National Academy of Sciences member, will preside over the 2 p.m. ceremony.
For more information about WVU Commencement, including links to ceremony livestreams, visit the university’s website.
