BUCKHANNON, West Virginia — Two students from West Virginia Wesleyan College earned second place and a $2,500 prize at the inaugural Student Entrepreneurship for Appalachia Pitch Competition, held March 27-28, 2026, at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.
Seniors Morgan Greene ’26, a business administration major from Saint Charles, Missouri, and Gracie Payne ’26, a health science major from Saint Albans, West Virginia, presented their venture, Clear Air Collective, as one of nine finalist teams selected from colleges across the Appalachian region.
The competition, hosted by the Appalachian College Association’s Entrepreneurship Alliance, brought together student entrepreneurs to pitch innovative, community-focused business ideas aimed at addressing challenges and opportunities in Appalachia. Finalists participated in mentorship sessions, networking opportunities and formal pitch presentations judged by a panel of experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
Greene and Payne’s project, Clear Air Collective, focuses on addressing vape recycling and public health concerns, reflecting a strong interdisciplinary approach that combines business strategy with health science insights. Their presentation earned them second place among a competitive field of institutions including Berea College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Warren Wilson College, Milligan University and Young Harris College.
The students were mentored by Dr. Tracie Dodson, professor and chair of the Albinson School of Business at West Virginia Wesleyan College, who accompanied them to the competition.
“I am incredibly proud of Morgan and Gracie for their hard work, professionalism, and innovative thinking,” Dodson said. “Gracie’s passion for the project and her knowledge of the science behind the problem brought the issue to life and Morgan’s business skills and commitment helped make the possibility a reality. Their success at this regional competition highlights both their dedication and the strength of students and programs at West Virginia Wesleyan.”
The two-day event featured consultation sessions with entrepreneurial advisors, a keynote address by social entrepreneur Christopher Gergen and formal pitch sessions where each team presented to a panel of judges and responded to questions about their ventures.
At the closing awards ceremony on March 28, the top three teams were recognized, with prizes awarded for first, second and third place. Greene and Payne’s second-place finish earned them a $2,500 award to support the continued development of Clear Air Collective. First place went to Berhane Wheeler from Berea College and third place to Roselin Nhira from Warren Wilson College.
Judges for the competition included Annie Forest of Appalachian Ecosystem Lead, REDF Impact Fund; Victoria Buchanan-Hewlett, investment solutions coordinator for Invest Appalachia; and Jeremy Turner, fund manager and director of education and outreach for Appalachian Investors Alliance. Forest is the former co-chair of Duke University’s Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship’s Initiative on Impact Investing and the former director of Program Growth for One Love Foundation. Buchanan-Hewlett is the former executive director of the Appalachian Opportunity Fund. Turner was formerly a chief strategist for EPIC Mission, Inc.
