Morgantown is only the 10th city in the nation to receive the designation of "Well City" from the Wellness Councils of America. In support of the area’s wellness initiatives, WVU academic departments combine student education with community outreach by sponsoring health screenings, exercise programs for children, and medical research.

Service learning is real: it brings textbook statistics and concepts alive. WVU’s academic partnership with the nonprofit Amizade offers service learning on a global level. Students can earn college credit while engaged in life-changing service in 11 countries, such as Tanzania, where volunteers work to improve life in the remote Karagwe area.

The innovative ideas of WVU students are benefiting people around the world. Emily Calandrelli helped start the student chapter of Engineers Without Borders that works to implement sustainable engineering projects in developing countries. She recently got surprise notification that she is WVU’s 19th Truman Scholar.

Alumnus Darryle Schoepp is among the scientists whose work may revolutionize the treatment of schizophrenia and other brain disorders that affect millions worldwide. The glutamate drugs he helped develop show promise in clinical trials and have changed the course of pharmaceutical industry research. Photo by Aaron Houston/The New York Times/Redux

Commencement is a time for celebrating achievements and looking forward to new beginnings. Those taking part in Commencement ceremonies May 16-18 will include Minority Doctoral Scholars Program graduates—shown here during their regalement ceremony—who will go on to teach future generations of college students.