WVU Parkersburg held its Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony on December 13, 2025, recognizing the achievements of its graduates. The event, which took place in Parkersburg, West Virginia, celebrated the culmination of academic efforts for students who completed their programs during the fall semester.
The ceremony featured prominent guest speaker United States Senator Shelley Moore Capito. In her address, Capito urged graduates to embrace opportunities and the people who inspire them, while also acknowledging the beauty of the West Virginia landscape. She emphasized the values of service, leadership, and gratitude, particularly highlighting the contributions of military personnel, healthcare workers, and community members. Capito encouraged the graduates to take their skills and knowledge into the world, while remaining connected to the values and community of West Virginia.
Reflecting on the student experience, Trista Scarberry, president of the Student Government Association, welcomed graduates and guests. She reminded attendees of the perseverance and personal growth that shaped their journeys at WVU Parkersburg. Scarberry concluded her remarks with a cherished family quote: “Shoot for the moon, and if you fall short, you’ll still be a shining star.”
In her presidential address, Dr. Torie Jackson, president of WVU Parkersburg, congratulated the graduates on their achievements. She expressed that while their degrees are a testament to hard work, their true impact will be determined by the relationships they cultivate in the future. “Degrees open doors, but relationships build futures,” Jackson stated. She emphasized that the graduates’ legacies will be defined by the lives they positively influence.
The ceremony recognized a total of 423 graduates, with 467 degrees, including associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and certificates awarded to students who completed their programs in August and December 2025. Out of these graduates, 137 participated in the commencement ceremony.
For those who could not attend, the full Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be available for viewing on the university’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/wvuparkersburg. Additional information regarding academic programs and opportunities at WVU Parkersburg can be found at wvup.edu.
Established in 1961, WVU Parkersburg serves as a transformative institution for its students and the surrounding communities. The college offers over 40 degree programs, as well as workforce development, short-term career training programs, and community education classes. Notably, it is the only community and technical college in West Virginia to offer bachelor’s degrees, and it is also home to WPKM 96.3 FM, the state’s first community college radio station.
