All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Recent WVU grads awarded Fulbright Scholarships to study climate change, teach abroad

Will McNeil and Christina White, 2021 WVU graduates, have earned Fulbright Scholarships to study and teach abroad.
Will McNeil and Christina White, 2021 WVU graduates, have earned Fulbright Scholarships to study and teach abroad.

Experiences in undergraduate research and cultural exchange begun during their time at West Virginia University have changed the trajectory of two recent WVU graduates’ futures.

How might climate change impact our future water supply? Wilson (Will) McNeil’s undergraduate research experience at WVU asking this very question helped develop his passion for environmental preservation, an area he will continue to research and study in New Zealand in the upcoming year.

Christina White enjoys making connections across cultures and languages, something she believes is invaluable when trying to develop trust in healthcare settings between patients and medical providers. During her time at WVU, White has volunteered as an English as a Second Language teacher, an experience that served to further emphasize the importance of understanding and empathy. She will continue this work this year in Mexico.

McNeil will further his studies by attending graduate school and performing research in New Zealand with a Fulbright Research Grant, while White will increase her cultural competency and teaching skills as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Mexico.

Will McNeil, from Morgantown, will begin studying in the Master of Civil Engineering program at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he will study the environmental impacts of agriculture and soil erosion by researching hydrological and permeable surface modeling methods.

As an Honors EXCEL student, McNeil performed research with Dr. Leslie Hopkinson, modeling water resources of the Monongahela River over time, predicting how climate variation could affect supply and cause unmet demand. A May 2021 WVU graduate with a civil and environmental engineering major and an Honors College student, McNeil is excited to further his education in engineering while working to learn more about environmental preservation.

“The Fulbright provides an opportunity to live and study abroad, while also allowing me to have the honor of representing the US and West Virginia overseas. I chose New Zealand because I lived there in middle school and was captivated by the natural beauty, the Māori culture, and the nation’s commitment to environmental protection,” says McNeil.

Christina White, from Morgantown, will travel to Mexico and work as an English teacher in the local public schools. She graduated in May 2021 with majors in international studies and biology and a Spanish minor.

White plans to go to medical school and specialize in providing healthcare to underserved populations, whether in rural West Virginia or refugee camps abroad.

She has been teaching English for nearly four years as a volunteer with the Literacy Volunteers of Monongalia and Preston Counties. Beginning last March, she also started offering independent ESL conversation classes, and this summer she completed a four-week online internship with Innova Learning Hub, an English teaching program based in Costa Rica, using funds from her Gilman Scholarship award.

White reflected that teaching English provides a “two-way street of teaching and learning from my students.” She is eager to continue this work in Mexico, while also learning about local cuisine and nutrition, and the health practices of indigenous communities.

“To me, living abroad as a Fulbright Scholar represents intercultural sharing, uncomfortable conversations, and real-life challenges that will make me a more aware and compassionate health professional in the future,” White said.

“This was an usually competitive year for Fulbright awards, as the applicant pool increased nation-wide. That makes Will and Christina’s wins even more impressive,” said Cate Johnson, assistant director of the ASPIRE Office and WVU’s campus Fulbright Program advisor. “We know they will take their knowledge, skills, and energy to their Fulbright placements and make West Virginia University proud.”

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program, giving students the opportunity to study, teach or conduct research abroad while increasing mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries.

The ASPIRE Office supports students who want to compete for nationally competitive awards like the Fulbright Scholarship. Students who are interested in applying can email aspire@mail.wvu.edu to set up an appointment.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Upshur County FFA hosts tailgate party with Philip Barbour FFA

Upshur County FFA hosted a pregame tailgate that doubled as its September meeting, bringing members and administrators from Philip Barbour County together to celebrate school spirit, games, food, and the new officer team’s leadership.

Buckhannon woman arrested for allegedly sending money from grandfather’s card via Cash App

A Buckhannon woman was arrested after allegedly using her grandfather’s bank card to send herself about $9,690 via Cash App over 22 transactions.

Patricia Gayle “Patty” Boone

Patricia Gayle Boone, 52, of Buckhannon, died Sept. 14, 2025, after a three-year cancer battle; she is survived by her children, grandchildren, companion and stepfather and worked as a receptionist at Spectacle Family Eyecare.

Delores Ann Smith

Delores Ann Smith, 62, of Mabie, West Virginia, died September 15, 2025; a nurses aide who loved gospel music, she is survived by her mother, a sister, nieces and nephews.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: September 18, 2025

Upshur County Commission’s agenda for its September 18, 2025 meeting, posted September 16, lists items commissioners will consider.

Five athletes, one team inducted into B-UHS Athletic Hall of Fame in Saturday ceremony

Five athletes — Brian Bergstrom, Terry Brake, Lauren Cvechko, Mackenzie Leigh and J.R. Tenney — and the 1958 Buccaneer baseball team were inducted into the Buckhannon-Upshur Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday.
WVWC Tennis

Tennis Lady ‘Cats sweep Seton Hill, 7-0

West Virginia Wesleyan’s Lady Bobcats improved to 2-0 with a dominant 7-0 sweep of Seton Hill on Sept. 14, highlighted by multiple 6-0 set victories in singles and doubles.

Buckhannon woman arrested for stealing and selling firearms

A Buckhannon woman was arrested after allegedly stealing firearms from her live-in boyfriend and selling some to a Morgantown pawn shop, resulting in a grand larceny charge.

Man arrested after wreck led police to find altered VIN on truck

A Pickens man was arrested after a wreck led deputies to find an altered vehicle identification number tag on the truck he was driving. If convicted of the felony, he faces one to 10 years in prison.