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

Upshur County students earn honors as WVU releases Dean’s, President’s and graduate lists for Fall 2023

A new graduate celebrates after crossing the stage during Commencement at the Coliseum, Dec. 16, 2023. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

West Virginia University has released its Fall 2023 Dean’s and President’s lists, as well as the full list of graduates for the fall semester. 

A total of 7,418 students earned honors during the fall. Having received 3.5 grade point averages or higher, 4,254 students were named to the Dean’s list.  The University’s President’s list includes 3,164 students who earned 4.0 GPAs. 

Thousands of graduates participated in two Dec. 16 Commencement ceremonies at the Coliseum. The final total graduate number for Fall 2023 was 1,510. The full list of graduates is available at lists.wvu.edu.

Here are the students recognized from Upshur County:

President’s List

  • Leigh Bennett, of Buckhannon, studying Dental Hygiene
  • Preston Bennett, of Buckhannon, studying Sport Management
  • Olivia Ellis, of Buckhannon, studying General Business
  • Caroline Frye, of Buckhannon, studying Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • Alixandra Jenkins, of Buckhannon, studying Psychology
  • Allie Johnson, of Buckhannon, studying Psychology
  • Ty Landis, of Buckhannon, studying Biology
  • Kennedi Lewellyn, of Buckhannon, studying Biology
  • Austin Light, of Buckhannon, studying Finance
  • Jackson Mcneish, of Buckhannon, studying Aerospace Engineering
  • Patrck Nanners, of Buckhannon, studying Marketing
  • Hannah Parsons, of Buckhannon, studying Accounting and Management Information Systems
  • Ashton Post, of Buckhannon, studying Aerospace Engineering
  • Ilan Rice, of Buckhannon, studying Political Science
  • Sidney Slaughter, of Buckhannon, studying Exercise Physiology
  • Samuel Squires, of Buckhannon, studying Marketing
  • Kayla Wagner, of Buckhannon, studying Biomedical Engineering
  • Cameron Ware, of French Creek, studying Criminology
  • Caitlin Wiley, of Buckhannon, studying Multidisciplinary Studies/BMdS
  • Landen Zirkle, of Buckhannon, studying Neuroscience

Dean’s List

  • Nathan Allen, of Ellamore, studying General Business
  • Nathaniel Beer, of Buckhannon, studying Communication Studies
  • Daniel Bryan, of Rock Cave, studying Wildlife and Fisheries Resources
  • Mackenzie Crites, of Buckhannon, studying Social Work
  • Autumn Cutright, of Crawford, studying Aerospace Engineering
  • Ian Donnen, of Buckhannon, studying Engineering
  • Frank Ellis, of Buckhannon, studying Management Information Systems
  • Sarah Hollen, of Buckhannon, studying Psychology
  • Drake Lemansky, of Buckhannon, studying Management Information Systems
  • Garrett Materne, of Buckhannon, studying Music Education
  • Austin Mccartney, of French Creek, studying Energy Land Management
  • Brooke Newcome, of Buckhannon, studying Elementary Education
  • Iris Tenney, of Buckhannon, studying Neuroscience
  • Hannah Walton, of Buckhannon, studying Forensic Examiner
  • Alayna Whitehair, of Buckhannon, studying Exploratory Pathway

Fall Graduates

  • Larissa Bennett, of Buckhannon, majoring in English
  • Hope Donahue, of Buckhannon, majoring in Multidisciplinary Studies/BMdS
  • Keely Hinkle, of Buckhannon, majoring in Elementary Math Specialist
  • Sarah Hollen, of Buckhannon, majoring in Psychology
  • Michael Lane, of Buckhannon, majoring in Curriculum and Instruction
  • Kennedi Lewellyn, of Buckhannon, majoring in Biology
  • Sydney McCartney, of Buckhannon, majoring in Nursing
  • Hannah Parsons, of Buckhannon, majoring in Accounting and Management Information Systems
  • Cameron Ware, of French Creek, majoring in Criminology
  • Kassidy Wilfong, of Buckhannon, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Upshur County Sports Calendar

Weekly Upshur County sports calendar lists basketball, swimming and wrestling events for Buckhannon-Upshur and West Virginia Wesleyan teams Dec. 8–13, including multiple middle, varsity and college matchups and duals.

Upshur County to split $39,835 in fire funding evenly among seven departments

Upshur County commissioners voted to distribute a $39,835 All-County Fire Protection Funding allotment equally among the county’s seven fire departments. Commissioners also approved contracts and personnel actions during their Dec. 4 meeting.

Buckhannon peer liaison helps homeless, people with addiction, city officials say

Buckhannon Police Department Peer Liaison Erica Bennett told city council she has helped people experiencing homelessness and substance use get into housing and treatment, distributed Narcan and built relationships with local hospitals and rehabs.

Basketball ‘Cats struggle in 104-54 road loss to Falcons

Fairmont State overwhelmed West Virginia Wesleyan 104–54, capitalizing on 22 turnovers, hot shooting (50.7% and 13 threes) and 20 second-chance points while Wesleyan’s bench and rebounding efforts fell short.

Dandridge has 23 points off the bench, but Wesleyan women fall to FSU, 90-78

Kilah Dandridge scored 23 off the bench and Ana Young added 21, but West Virginia Wesleyan fell to Fairmont State 90-78 despite shooting over 61 percent.

Joyce Marie Haynes

Joyce Marie Haynes, 73, of Buckhannon, WV, died Dec. 6, 2025; she is survived by two daughters, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, four siblings, and will be cremated per her wishes.

Buckhannon Academy Elementary to present “December in My Hometown” musical performance at Wesley Chapel

Buckhannon Academy Elementary will present its December in My Hometown musical at Wesley Chapel at West Virginia Wesleyan on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m., showcasing diverse songs from all grade levels after months of practice.

Beverly woman charged with drug conspiracy involving methamphetamine

A 37-year-old woman faces five to 30 years in prison after a traffic stop allegedly uncovered drugs, cash and text messages about purchasing a pound of methamphetamine.

Upshur County Schools announces Pre-K registration days for January

Upshur County Schools has announced Pre-K Registration Days at schools throughout the county in January. Parents can register their youngest learners at various locations starting Jan. 9.