FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2026

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – Pierpont Community & Technical College graduates crossed the stage May 8, marking a milestone that extends beyond the individual by strengthening families, workplaces and communities across the region.

The Class of 2026, representing Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 graduates, reflected the college’s mission of providing flexible, workforce-aligned education across programs in health sciences, aviation and technology, information systems, skilled trades and general education.

Throughout the ceremony, speakers returned to a common theme: no two journeys to graduation look the same, but each represents a deliberate step toward opportunity.

A Foundation for What’s Next

Interim President Dr. Michael Waide opened the ceremony by framing commencement as both a celebration and a turning point, one defined not only by what graduates have accomplished but by what lies ahead.

“Commencement is about beginnings, not endings,” Dr. Waide told graduates. “This day marks your launch into what comes next, whether that is the workforce or continuing your education.”

For many in the Class of 2026, the journey to the stage has not been linear. It has included balancing work and family responsibilities, returning to college after time away and overcoming challenges along the way. Dr. Waide said those experiences make the moment even more meaningful, not only for graduates, but for the family members, friends and mentors who supported them.

“It shows everyone who showed up to support them just what an achievement this is,” he said. “It’s a milestone in their lives and a launching point for what comes next.”

As graduates move forward, he noted they do so with more than a credential. They leave Pierpont with the skills, training and confidence to step into careers, continue their education and build what comes next for themselves, their families and their communities.

A Deliberate Investment in the Future

Speaking on behalf of the Pierpont Board of Governors, Christine Miller reflected on the individual paths that brought graduates to the stage.

“No two journeys to the stage look the same,” Miller said. “Each of you made a deliberate choice to invest in yourself, and that is what has brought you here.”

Miller pointed to the role community colleges play in connecting education to workforce demand across North Central West Virginia, noting that programs are built in partnership with employers and industry.

“Your success affirms that your education is practical, rigorous and connected to the needs of our region,” she said. “You are prepared not just to enter the workforce, but to contribute to your communities with integrity.”

She encouraged graduates to continue growing beyond commencement.

“Your education doesn’t end today,” Miller said. “Keep learning, take pride in your work and remember where you started.”

A Challenge to Keep Learning — and Lead

Keynote speaker Dr. Christopher Treadway, Vice Chancellor for Community and Technical College Education with the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, challenged graduates to think beyond the moment and focus on long-term growth.

“Your diploma isn’t the end of your education. It’s the foundation,” Dr. Treadway said. “The real expertise takes years. It takes the willingness to get just a little bit better every single day, long after anybody is grading you on it.”

Drawing from real-world examples, Dr. Treadway emphasized the value of becoming a trusted expert in any field.

“In every profession, there’s someone people rely on when challenges arise,” he said. “Keep learning so that, one day, you’re the person they call.”

He also urged graduates to serve as ambassadors for higher education, encouraging others in their families and communities to pursue similar opportunities.

“When you walk across this stage, you’re proving something to the people around you,” Dr. Treadway said. “Your success helps open the door for someone else to take that same step.”

A Student Perspective on Opportunity, Excellence and Community

Student speaker Morgan Myers, a graduate of the Criminal Justice program, reflected on the shared experiences that brought the Class of 2026 to the stage and the values that will carry them forward.

“Today, we celebrate not just the completion of our studies, but the journey we’ve traveled together,” Myers said.

She described that experience through three defining pillars — opportunity, excellence and community — highlighting how Pierpont supports students from diverse backgrounds and helps them turn goals into reality.

“At Pierpont, we come from diverse backgrounds, each carrying unique dreams and challenges,” she said. “This institution has given us the chance to turn possibilities into realities.”

Myers also emphasized the role of faculty and staff in shaping the student experience, noting that it extends beyond coursework to build resilience and confidence.

“Our time at Pierpont has taught us that success is a shared journey,” she said. “The friendships and networks we’ve created will continue to support us as we step into new chapters.”

Looking ahead, she encouraged her fellow graduates to carry those lessons forward.

“Success is not just about avoiding failure, but about embracing it, learning from it and growing from it,” Myers said.

Academic Achievement with Real-World Impact

While the ceremony celebrated personal milestones, it also highlighted the academic rigor and workforce outcomes behind each credential.

“Our graduates have demonstrated both academic excellence and real-world readiness,” said David Beighley, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Through rigorous coursework and hands-on learning, they leave Pierpont prepared to contribute immediately to the workforce or continue their education.”

Many graduates completed stackable credentials, earning certificates alongside associate degrees and creating multiple pathways forward. That approach reflects Pierpont’s focus on both immediate opportunity and long-term mobility, allowing students to enter high-demand careers while also building toward future educational goals.

Dr. Waide noted that this model is central to the college’s impact.

“That’s what community colleges do,” he said. “We create pathways for students to earn credentials that have immediate value, while also preparing them for whatever their next step may be.”

For many in the Class of 2026, that next step includes both employment and continued study, building on the foundation they established at Pierpont. The result extends beyond individual success, strengthening the workforce and expanding opportunity across the region.

Voices of the Class of 2026

Behind every credential is a story of persistence, purpose and what comes next. For graduates across Pierpont, commencement represents both a personal milestone and a step forward for their families and communities.

In programs focused on nutrition and wellness, students build the knowledge and practical skills needed to support healthier communities.

Ashley Cook, a graduate of the Food Service Management: Nutrition and Dietetics Technology program, returned to college with a clear purpose and a commitment to building a career focused on health and wellness.

“Coming back to finish my degree at 40 was a very intentional decision, and I wanted to be anything but mediocre,” Cook said. “Being part of the program confirmed that I’m passionate about helping people improve their health and their relationship with food. This final year has been an amazing experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunities, connections and hands-on experience I’ve gained.

“Graduation reflects the hard work I’ve put in and proves to me that I did it. Once I complete my internships, I plan to continue building my resume by completing the Core Lactation Consultant Course, continuing to coach and pursuing a career helping people live a nutritionally balanced life.”

Graduates entering the health care field leave prepared to meet critical needs through both technical training and compassionate care.

Alex Billiris, a Licensed Practical Nursing graduate and active student leader, is continuing his academic and professional journey, focused on advancing in the nursing field while remaining engaged on campus.

“Graduating from the LPN program at Pierpont is a major milestone for me and an important step toward my long-term goals in nursing and leadership,” he said. “I plan to continue taking prerequisite courses while working in a hospital and return next fall for the RN Bridge program. I’m also looking forward to continuing my involvement on campus through Student Government and Phi Theta Kappa as I grow professionally.”

Together, their stories reflect the broader impact of a Pierpont education — preparing graduates not only for careers, but for continued growth, opportunity and service across the region.

A Milestone and a Beginning

As graduates turned their tassels and celebrated with family, friends and faculty, the ceremony underscored the role Pierpont plays in expanding access to affordable, career-focused education across West Virginia.

From first-time college students to those returning after years away, the Class of 2026 represents the evolving pathways through higher education and the opportunities that follow.

For many, the next step begins immediately in a new job, a promotion or continued study. For all, it begins with the same milestone — and the understanding that what they achieved at Pierpont is only the beginning of what comes next.

Graduates of the Class of 2026

The following graduates of Pierpont Community & Technical College are recognized by school and program for their academic achievement and commitment to completing their degrees. These individuals represent the talent, determination and promise that will continue to shape communities across the region.

School of Business, Aviation & Technology

Certificate of Applied Science

Airframe Technology

• Aaron Anderson  *
• Jocelyn Annon  
• Wayland Atwell  *
• Samuel Bart  
• Joshua Becher  
• Brayden Bell  *
• Aiden Bolyard  *
• Allen Bonner  *
• James Bourne  
• Bradley Burnett  
• Grant Cain  
• Joshua Chatham  *
• Thomas Cook  *
• Cody Cook  
• Hunter Cortellesi  
• Caden Foy  *
• Kaleb Galloway  *
• Glen Hansen  *
• Matthew Henderson  *
• Ratchanon Homklin  
• Bryce Hoyland  
• Ryan Huber  *
• Colin Jenks  #
• Sarah Karnes  *
• Elijah Lehosit  
• Nolan Littell  
• Kaylee Markle  ** #
• Jahkari Mesidor  * #
• Gabe Moran  *
• Matalyn Mowry  
• Gavin Murphy  
• Treyson Nose  *
• Matthew Oliverio  
• Brayden Palmer  
• Daniel Raddish  *
• Jacob Riley  
• Jackson Rubenstein  *
• Mason Rush  
• Travis Satterfield  
• Braden Tenda  
• Ephraim Trembly  *
• Lucas Valentine  *
• Aiden Webster  
• Andrew Wilson 

Applied Welding

• Adrian Fornash
• Madison Tucker

CyberSecurity

• Ethan Ebbert ** #

Petroleum Technology

• Adrian Fornash
• Max Specht

Powerplant Technology

• Aaron Anderson *
• Jocelyn Annon
• Wayland Atwell *
• Samuel Bart
• Joshua Becher
• Brayden Bell *
• Aiden Bolyard *
• Allen Bonner *
• James Bourne
• Bradley Burnett
• Grant Cain
• Joshua Chatham *
• Thomas Cook *
• Cody Cook
• Hunter Cortellesi
• Caden Foy *
• Kaleb Galloway *
• Glen Hansen *
• Matthew Henderson *
• Ratchanon Homklin
• Bryce Hoyland
• Ryan Huber *
• Colin Jenks
• Sarah Karnes *
• Elijah Lehosit
• Nolan Littell
• Kaylee Markle #
• Jahkari Mesidor *
• Gabe Moran *
• Matalyn Mowry
• Gavin Murphy
• Treyson Nose *
• Matthew Oliverio
• Brayden Palmer
• Daniel Raddish *
• Jacob Riley
• Jackson Rubenstein *
• Mason Rush
• Travis Satterfield
• Braden Tenda
• Ephraim Trembly *
• Lucas Valentine *
• Aiden Webster
• Andrew Wilson

Associate of Applied Science

Advanced Welding

• Max Beaubrun
• Adrian Fornash
• Trevor Glass
• Steve Moats *
• Felicity Rumbaugh
• Hailey Snoderly *
• Cole Weese *

Applied Design: Interior Design

• Caitlin Freeland

Applied Design: Fashion Merchandising

• Christa Lechner *

Applied Process Technology: Energy Systems Operations

• Derek Estes
• Conner Foster
• Garrett Hullderman
• Sean Kimble **
• Mason Norris *  

Applied Process Technology: Instrumentation and Controls

• Derek Estes
• Kolbie Hamilton
• Garrett Hullderman
• Sean Kimble **
• Mason Norris * 

Aviation Maintenance Technology

• Aaron Anderson *
• Jocelyn Annon 
• Wayland Atwell *
• Samuel Bart 
• Joshua Becher 
• Brayden Bell *
• Aiden Bolyard *
• Allen Bonner *
• James Bourne 
• Sebastian Brewer *
• Bradley Burnett 
• Christian Burnside 
• Grant Cain 
• Joshua Chatham *
• Thomas Cook *
• Hunter Cortellesi 
• Caden Foy *
• Kaleb Galloway *
• Glen Hansen *
• Matthew Henderson *
• Ratchanon Homklin 
• Bryce Hoyland 
• Ryan Huber *
• Colin Jenks #
• Sarah Karnes *
• Elijah Lehosit 
• Nolan Littell 
• Kaylee Markle ** #
• Jahkari Mesidor * #
• Gabe Moran *
• Matalyn Mowry 
• Gavin Murphy 
• Treyson Nose *
• Gavin Oliverio *
• Matthew Oliverio 
• Brayden Palmer 
• Daniel Raddish *
• Jacob Riley 
• Jackson Rubenstein *
• Mason Rush 
• Travis Satterfield 
• Ephraim Trembly *
• Lucas Valentine *
• Aiden Webster 
• Andrew Wilson 

Business: Accounting

• Jordan Cogar *
• Devin Criss *
• Kyle Cross *
• Brooklyn Davisson *
• Brandi Johnson * #
• Mckaeyla Lephew
• Marina Maddow
• Casey Sisk
• Savannah Stowers

Business: Management

• Neisha Bennett
• Ashley Brawley *
• Zane George
• Tanner Griffith
• Paige Heaney *
• Telissa Jackson **
• Pason Kelley
• Rachel Leary
• Madison Martin *
• Christian Mccauley
• Hoyt Michael *
• Julie Moore *
• Wylder Neer
• David Smith *
• Ashley Stutler
• Emily Vincent

Information Systems: CyberSecurity

• Matthew Baines
• Cameron Biller
• Seth Cass
• Matthew Duff ** #
• Ethan Ebbert ** #
• Aidan Edwards *
• Dylan Lindberg
• Dominick Murray
• Jimmy Pritt
• Brock Vincent
• Aiden Sopranik
• Sara Sprouse *

Information Systems: Systems Specialist

• Kelton Black *
• Matthew Duff ** #
• Ethan Ebbert ** #
• Nicholas Poling **
• Jimmy Pritt
• Brock Vincent
• Brice Westfall

Occupational Development: Skilled Trades

• Shelton Crim

Petroleum Technology

• Case Landis
• Cassandra Marsh
• Max Specht

School of General Education & Professional Studies

Certificate of Applied Science

Culinary Arts

• Holden Riffle
• Leah Sisler

Pastry & Baking Arts

• Mary Hamer
• Michael McAra *

Associate of Applied Science

ASL/Interpreter Education

• Kaitlynn Cherry
• Preslea Deanda *
• Alexa Fuller *
• Carrie Jones * #
• Patricia Loy-Colebank *

Board of Governors

• Kedron Alfred *
• Zhargal Bubeev **
• Bobbi Depriest *
• Alden Farina *
• Spencer Haynes 
• Journie Hofschneider 
• Stacy Jarrett 
• Kimberly Kolar 
• Kristian Lodholz *
• Travis Mann 
• Brandon Moore 
• Nicole Perez *
• Myiesha Pitts *
• Marco Realfonzo *
• Aaron Stull 
• Frances Torres 
• Shinay Trotter 
• Akili Wartts 
• Hayley Whited 

Criminal Justice

• Bella Bibey *
• Whitney Brown 
• Tyler Burda * #
• Colton Davis * #
• Emily Garcia *
• Christopher George *
• Rylee Gray *
• Donald Lewis 
• Morgan Myers * #
• Emily Singleton 

Early Childhood Education

• Paige Claypool
• Hanna Flesher *
• Emily Shaffer
• Heidi Tucker

Food Service Management: Culinary Arts

• Meghan George *
• Jacob Paugh
• Holden Riffle
• Leah Sisler
• Savannah White

Food Service Management: Nutrition and Dietetics Technology

• Ashely Cook
• Taylor Stansberry
• Tanya Wright

Food Service Management: Pastry and Baking Arts

• Brianna Christopher
• Amy Colombo
• Meghan George *
• Cassandra Hamilton
• Michael McAra *
• Taylor Stansberry

Occupational Development: Early Childhood Practitioner

• Katrina Parks *

Paralegal Studies

• Laci Jackson
• Morgan Riley *
• Kandis Towner

Associate of Art

Liberal Studies: General Program

• Lillian Ayers*
• Tanner Blair
• Isabella Hall
• Braelyn Hart
• Gracie Mason
• Emma Parlock *
• Tassie Thomas
• Raynah Vaughn *

Liberal Studies: Pre-Social Work

• Samuel Thomas
• Hunter Townsend

School of Health Sciences

Certificate of Applied Science

Licensed Practical Nursing

• Megan Abel *
• Elliott Allende #
• Rosemarie Antorino 
• Jadyn Barnett 
• Alexander Billiris * #
• Olivia Bombard 
• Hailee Conn *
• Lisa Cottrell 
• Na’Tazjah Crosby 
• Kelsey Cumberledge *
• Udodirim Ejimofor *
• Curstin Everson 
• Brittany Jackson 
• Kimberly Kolar 
• Cheyenne Lapointe *
• Krista Leach *
• Jayla Lipscomb *
• Nicole Mullennex 
• Rachael Myers 
• Breona Raines 
• Ashlyn Shanabarger 
• Ella Sickles 
• Savannah Vincent 
• Erin Waller 
• Karigan Wildroudt 
• Hope Willhoit *
• Hanna Wolfe *

Medical Billing & Coding

• Devon Cunningham
• Takia Daniels *
• Jennifer Ellison
• Andrea Elza *
• Kayla George
• Dana Harrington
• Paxton King *
• Kasey Loughrie *
• Devon Mancino *
• Chloe Pethtel
• Ashley Spessert
• Lexson Swisher

Medical Laboratory Assistant

• Kayla Brady
• Stacy Jarrett

Veterinary Assistant

• Makenna Post

Associate of Applied Science

Emergency Medical Services

• Lucy Cussins
• Tera Stout

Health Information Technology

• Jennifer Blake ** #
• Dakota Bohan *
• Diana Frisco 
• Olivia Hall 
• Hannah Hart *
• Caitlyn Hill 
• Tonya Kinder *
• Kendra Markley 
• Chloe Pethtel 
• Kayla Pritt *
• Tracie Rather ** #
• Alyssa Robledo 
• Emily Rose *
• Jennifer Smith 

Health Sciences

• Elliott Allende #
• Maria Bee * #
• Haylea Crihfield *
• Fidel Diaz *
• Caroline Furbee 
• Kendra Green
• Dalaney Hill 
• Kassidy Morgan *
• Ashton Queen *
• Karrington Richards 
• Jessica Riffle *
• Savanna Riley 
• Cameron Rubenstein 
• Kaitlyn Schimonsky * #
• Shelby Smith 
• Devin Teter
• Justina Vangilder 
• Shelby White 

Medical Laboratory Technology

• Matthew Dukich
• Kendra Green
• Kasen Hurst *
• Elynn Lay
• Josie Reep *
• Audrey VanScoy

Physical Therapist Assistant

• Olivia Croston
• Kaleb Holt
• Olivia Hook
• Mackenzie Hunter
• Emma Johnson *
• Shauna Jones
• Addison Legg *
• Rachel Lemley *
• Delanie Postlethwait *
• Sophia Taylor
• Elizabeth Uhl * #

Radiologic Technology

• Hope Auger *
• Kasey Barker *
• Jeremy Bonner * #
• Skylee Brown *
• Baylee Burhite
• Addison Cunningham *
• Lauren D’Angelo **
• Aliyah Elder *
• Trinity Eldridge *
• Emma Elliott *
• Macey Franklin *
• Morgan Hawk *
• Kiera Heflin *
• Kaylie Hegedis
• Kinley Koren *
• Isabella Mayle **
• Zachary McGary
• Darrah Pennington *
• Kaleigh Ryan *
• Devin Teter
• Olivia Vandevender *
• Alexis Williams *

Respiratory Care

• Tessa Dulaney
• Mylynn Huynh * #
• Bailee Kiger
• Kristen Lawson
• Olivia Luchuck *
• Lydia Moore *
• Emily Salisbury

Veterinary Technology

• Addison Bolyard *
• Lucien Davidson
• Cheyenne Fisher
• Bethany Fortney * #
• Emily Hines
• Bethany James *
• Samantha Kitis
• Raquel McRae *
• Aaliyah Mefford
• Lydia Sears *
• Malinda Smith
• Mackenzie Steele

* Honors     **Highest Honors     #Member of Phi Theta Kappa

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Pierpont Community & Technical College provides accessible, responsive, and high‑quality education to students and businesses across North Central West Virginia. With a strong focus on career readiness and workforce development, Pierpont offers academic programs and industry‑aligned training that create clear pathways to employment. Through this work, the college helps students discover their path while supporting the region’s economic and workforce needs.