West Virginia University announced on May 5 that six members of the Class of 2026 and two December 2025 graduates have been awarded the Order of Augusta, the university’s highest honor for academic excellence, leadership, and service. The eight recipients were chosen from among the 52 WVU Foundation Outstanding Seniors.
The recognition highlights students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement during their time at West Virginia University. The honorees come from diverse backgrounds and include ROTC cadets, business professionals, a professional soccer player, an aspiring neurosurgeon, and others. According to Carrie Showalter, Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Life: “The WVU Outstanding Seniors showcase what it means to lead with purpose, serve with integrity and make the most of their time at this University.” Showalter also said: “Their impact can be felt across our campus and beyond, and they have set great examples for their peers. Being named among the top 1% of their graduating class is an extraordinary achievement, and I’m so excited to see how they carry their talents, leadership and Mountaineer spirit into what comes next.”
The Order of Augusta scholars for this year are Ronalie Abeyratne (biology pre-medical), Marcus Caldeira (finance), Emma Fleming (English/multidisciplinary media studies), Isabella Hart (mechanical/aerospace engineering), Ella Holley (international studies/criminology), Jarell Galido Rimando (accounting), Gabriele Smith (philosophy/multidisciplinary studies), and Alexandria Spiker (finance). Each student was recognized for contributions in research, athletics, leadership or community engagement.
All recipients will be honored at a drop-in event scheduled for Friday, May 15 in Elizabeth Moore Hall’s Betty Boyd Lounge. The list also includes dozens more Outstanding Seniors from various disciplines such as data science, nursing, political science and advertising.
West Virginia University has produced notable scholarship recipients including Rhodes Scholars and Truman Scholars; alumni have secured prestigious scholarships such as 25 Rhodes awards according to the official website. The university fosters an inclusive community that embraces diverse contributions to create a unified experience; it encompasses a network of distinctive campuses; aims to harness its resources to build a stronger future; and draws inspiration from its motto “Mountaineers Go First,” all according to the official website.
Established in 1995 on the WVU Foundation’s anniversary year milestone, these awards continue recognizing student excellence in scholarship as well as leadership.
