Statler College Commencement: Celebrating a mining engineering legend, student excellence and future leaders

Statler College students walked the stage at the WVU 2026 Commencement ceremony on May 17, 2026. (WVU Photo/Megan Rinker)

On Sunday May 17, 2026 at the West Virginia University Hope Coliseum, the newest cohort of Statler alumni joined an elite group of innovators and leaders around the globe. The Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources awarded 419 undergrad and 67 graduate degrees to a new generation of engineers and computer scientists, celebrating their transition from the classroom to creating positive change in the world.

Story by Emily Handrahan, Storyteller
Photos by Megan Rinker, Erik Rudolph and Brian Persinger

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

The 2026 ceremony recognized several students for their exceptional dedication to scholarship and leadership. WVU honored one Order of Augusta recipient the university's highest honors student distinction. Additionally, five Statler students were named Outstanding Seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership, and service.

Order of August recipient Isabella Hart is a member of the Honors College and 2021 Neil S. Bucklew Scholar from Hurricane, graduated with dual degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering in December 2025. Following graduation, she moved to Sterling, Virginia, to begin her career as an associate guidance navigation and control engineer at Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems division.

Statler College’s outstanding seniors include computer engineering students Chloelle Fitz and Zachary Taylor, biomedical engineering students Caroline Kelley and Kenneth Wang and computer science student Carter Leadmon.

This year’s ceremony featured the first conferal of a Presidential Honorary Degree to Syd Peng, a figure synonymous with excellence in mining engineering. Peng, whose legacy is woven into the very fabric of the college, was recognized for his global contributions to the industry and his lifelong commitment to West Virginia University.

“Throughout the history of mining, few individuals have influenced mining engineering as profoundly as Dr. Peng,” President Benson explained. “His generosity with his expertise and time changed the field for the better across West Virginia and around the world. Today’s graduates and future graduates will continue to reap the benefits.” 

(WVU Photo/Brian Persinger)

The honorary hood and diploma were presented to Dr. Peng by President Benson, Dean Mago, and Faculty Senate Chair Scott Crichlow, who also serves as the Faculty Senate Chair and representative for the Board of Governors. 

“In my 40+ year professional career life, I have received more than 20 national and international awards. Most of them are very prestigious among my peers,” Peng stated. “However, at this moment of my life, I consider this award as the summary of those awards. Therefore, I am extremely honored and appreciative for this award, because WVU is the only institution where I worked in my whole career (1974–2015). It speaks for my love for WVU, especially for WVU's mining engineering.”

Commencement speaker Sarah Lovell, a 2007 computer engineering and biometric systems alumna, returned to her alma mater to share insights from a career defined by service and security. Lovell currently serves as a cyber warfare officer with the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Cyberspace Operations Squadron and a Security Engineering Officer with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Her diverse background includes field engineering in Iraq and Afghanistan and a decade as a public policy researcher at RAND.

(WVU Photo/Erik Rudolph)

“I get to do jobs now that I didn't know existed as an undergrad. I credit WVU professor emeritus, Wils Cooley's influence to get me abroad with providing me the confidence to then go to grad school in England, take my first job out of college in Baghdad, and commute to work by helicopter in Afghanistan,” Lovell explained. “He made my study abroad ambitions possible and that was the single most important catalyst to my career. I think that truly embodies the Mountaineer spirit — others helping others climb mountains.”

Curiosity, creativity, and hard work define the Statler College experience. Discover the stories of some of our most recent graduates who have shared their journeys of discovery and ambition:

Abigail Thornbury: (WVU Photo/Megan Rinker)

An environmental engineering standout from the Pittsburgh area who has spent her time at the Statler College honoring her deep West Virginian roots. A dedicated leader and champion for women in STEM, Abigail has left a lasting impact as the President of Engineers Without Borders and Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers. From designing sustainable water systems in Belize to representing the College as a Statler Ambassador and competing on the national stage with the Soil Judging Team, she has proven that technical excellence is best paired with a commitment to service. 

Grace Cronen: (WVU Photo/Megan Rinker)

A civil engineering major from Tampa, Florida, who has left a lasting impact at Statler and across WVU. A dedicated student-athlete and proven leader, Grace has spent four years balancing the physical rigors of the rowing team with the technical precision of the American Society of Civil Engineers. With a specialized focus on structural engineering, she has built a foundation of excellence that extends far beyond the classroom.

Leonardo Peele: (WVU Photo/Megan Rinker)

A computer science major from Rockville, Maryland, who is ready to make his mark on the world. A passionate developer and advocate for early STEM education, Leonardo has transformed his childhood fascination with gaming into a mission to empower the next generation of coders. From founding a coding club and tutoring elementary students to presenting educational video games at middle school science fairs, he has consistently bridged the gap between play and professional skill. After discovering a clear calling for software over law, Leonardo has spent his time at WVU building complex applications and mastering the art of development. 

Zachary Taylor: (WVU Photo/Erik Rudolph)

Driven by a “deep curiosity” and determination to overcome challenges, Zachary Taylor’s journey at WVU showcases resilience and growth. Despite entering college with little coding experience and navigating a red-green color deficiency, the Spencer native found support and opportunity within the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. His hard work and persistence led to him becoming a 2026 SMART Scholar and preparing for a doctorate at the University of Michigan.

Meet other Class of 2026 graduates 

Watch Statler College recordings of the ceremony

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