Ivy Jo Ruskowski, a nursing graduate from Wheeling, was just one of West Liberty University's seniors taking part in a virtual commencement ceremony held Saturday. -- Contributed

WEST LIBERTY — The Class of 2020 at West Liberty University celebrated commencement in a virtual ceremony Saturday morning, deviating from the traditional festivities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We congratulate the Class of 2020 on their perseverance and tenacity, as they completed the semester and final exams in an unexpected way to arrive at this momentous occasion of commencement,” said Dr. Stephen Greiner, WLU president.

WLU’s virtual choir performed the national anthem and alma mater, beginning the ceremony that was presided over by Greiner who went on to confer 371 degrees. A total of 66 master’s degrees, 39 associate degrees and 290 bachelor’s degrees were conferred.

Board of Governors Chairperson Rich Lucas congratulated graduates, which included his son, Brice, a graduating senior from the College of Business.

Graduating student speaker Mackenzie Sims of Davisville, W.Va., earned an elementary education degree from the College of Education and Human Performance.

She began her address by explaining why she chose West Liberty University as a high school student athlete and why she joined Coach Kayla Mull as a member of the Hilltopper volleyball team.

“I knew I made the right decision when I arrived on campus,” Sims said as she went on to explain how she discovered what she wanted to major in and confirmed her career path. “But now we are all sharing similar feelings of anxiety, doubt and even anger due to the pandemic. … After all, when we left for spring break we had no idea we would never return to campus to finish the semester and celebrate our last days as seniors.”

Sims itemized the many events and special moments that students missed.

“But as I reflected here at home, I remember the good things we did have, homecomings, athletic games, Greek life, and campus life and I look forward to when we can be together again. It’s true what they say, you do make lifelong friends in college,” she said.

Sims referenced a quote attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, saying that, “Life is a journey not a destination, and this is something I strive to live by. It inspires growth and learning.

“This isn’t what any of us expected. But we each have wonderful moments to remember. Look back on your time here as meaningful and well spent. We are stronger than before. Our resilience is remarkable and we have rewritten history. We’ve overcome obstacles together, so congratulations Class of 2020! We did it!”

The ceremony was live on WLU’s streaming platform Topper Station (topperstation.com) and on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube LIVE.

The virtual ceremony also aired live on WLU-TV14 (Comcast Channel 14) and will be replayed throughout the day.

Graduates also will be invited back to campus for a traditional ceremony at a later date.

Students in the Physician Assistant Studies Master’s Degree Program will graduate later this spring.

Area residents receiving master’s degrees include: Edward Bartley Beaumont III, Chester; Morgan Lee Rice, Weirton; Emiley Louise Czesztyicki and Patrick J. Hicks, Wellsburg.

Those receiving undergraduate degrees include: Matthew Badillo, Beech Bottom; Olivia Jane Kilbane and Jasmine M. Paxton, Bethany; Mario Matthew Boni, Lynn A Hans and Shyla L. Stroud, Colliers; Lauren Gulnara Altobell, Hunter LeeAnn Helms and Johanna Weiler, Follansbee; Lonna Nickay Cline, Erin Ann Harvey, MacKenzie Lynn Jacobs, Kami Shaye Koper and Maisie Lynn Witherow, New Cumberland; Derek Haddox, Newell; Matthew Beaman, Monica Bragg, Kasey Brown, Elijah Alistair Payne Dillie, Marquise D. Jeter, Elaine Marie Klar, Dekota Paige McCombs, Thomas Paris, Hannah Renee Scott, Levi Shreve and Clarissa Ann Tournay, Weirton; Jeffrey Alan Braun, Delaynie J. Campinelli, Tiffany Dawn Grigsby, Madyson Keller, Tristan Kowcheck, Austin James Lee, Rhiannon Virginia Macom, Jennifer Rose Myers, Ryan Phelps and Samantha Smith, Wellsburg; Isaac Charles Herron, Windsor Heights; Cheyenne Harley Matta of Berholz; Sara M. Raybuck and Taryn Alyson Williams, East Liverpool; Hailee Nicole Hoover, Mingo Junction; Andrea Jo Hale, Richmond; Christopher Blackston, William Joseph Poplowski Jr. and Jacob T. Walker, Steubenville; Bonnie Karrine Archer, Jessica Marie DiPasquale and Sarah Nakohl Wayt, Toronto; Robert DeVaul, Chloe Marie Pieniazek and Alaina Brooke Taylor, Wintersville; Abigail Marie Dobbin and Marissa Lee Uram, Avella; Melody Singer and Travis Smith, Burgettstown; Kelsey Ann Blazier, Hookstown; Karen Murphy, Imperial; Emily Marie Bender, Langeloth.