Trending
MORGANTOWN - Weirton native Olivia Dowler is among five students announced by West Virginia University as 2023 Mountaineers of Distinction, an honor recognizing exemplary academic achievement and extracurricular involvement.
Dowler, a first-generation college student from Weirton, is a history, philosophy and Spanish major who has maintained a cumulative 4.0 grade point average. She serves as Spanish chair for the Global Medical and Dental Brigades and a WVU Visitors Center tour guide, and previously held the position of legislative affairs liaison with the Student Government Association.
A champion for survivors of sexual assault and violence, she is a vocal advocate for victim support services on campus and guidance on Title IX rights. She has also advocated for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act to expand efforts in West Virginia to combat domestic violence and sexual assault.
Dowler was selected to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative University where she is working to create a monthly farmers market in downtown Weirton to address food insecurity.
She is a 2020 Foundation Scholar.
Others honored as part of Mountaineer Week, and recognized during halftime of Saturday's football game against Brigham Young University were Sophia Flower of Fairmont, Rachel Johnson of Princeton, Thomas Williams of Old Fields and Natalie Wonsettler of Morgantown.
Distinguished by superior academic standing and a spirit of volunteerism and service to others, the honorees were chosen by an interview selection panel from a pool of nearly 70 students who applied from across campus. All five honorees are membeers of the WVU Honors College.
Other Mountaineers of Distinction finalists were Allison Barr, a biology and animal and nutritional sciences dual major from Moorefield; Caroline Johnson, an industrial engineering major from Hurricane; CJ Miller, a dual political science and international studies major minoring in general business from Wheeling; Adelle Pacyna, a biology major from Morgantown; and Lauren Sexton, a biology major minoring in violin performance and psychology from Williamstown.