Sophia Lord, an English and history major from Short Gap, W.Va., was named the Outstanding Student of the Year for 2024 at West Virginia University Potomac State College during the College’s Recognition Day Awards ceremony. Interim Campus President Paul Kreider presented the award.
West Virginia University Potomac State College held its 84th Recognition Day Awards Ceremony earlier this spring, during which students were recognized and presented with various awards.
Sophia Lord, an English and history major from Short Gap, W.Va., and graduate of Frankfort High School, was named the Outstanding Student of the Year for 2024. Her name was also inscribed on the Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.
With being named Outstanding Student of the Year, Lord presented the Graduate Message during the 2024 Commencement Ceremony at the College.
While a student, Lord was an active participant in college life. She was a member of the International Club, the Art Club, the Black Student Alliance, the Diversity Peer Academy, and served as a Student Ambassador.
She was presented with the Mauzy-Harris History Award which was created by Pittsburgh Businessman Sydney Harris in memory of former history professor, Frank Mauzy, who also served as dea n of PSC during his tenure there.
Lord was an honor’s student and has been named to the President’s List for all semesters that she attended Potomac State College.
She volunteered much of her time, which included helping set up various events at the College, and as a member of the Rotaract Club, Lord assisted with packing lunches for Food for Thought. She also visited residents at the local nursing home and volunteered to peel and cut apples during the annual Burlington Apple Harvest Festival.
This summer Lord will be working for the AmeriCorps' Energy Express program, in association with WVU Extension.
After completing her bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in English or global studies at Shepherd University this fall, Lord plans to earn a master's degree in education. Future plans include teaching history at the high school or college level.